Of Adam and Inspiration

Several years ago I heard some brothers discussing whether Adam was a real person. Apparently this idea was floating around a large church of an evangelical denomination. According to the Crossway Comprehensive Concordance of the Holy Bible, ESV Version, Adam is mentioned twenty times (the reference in Joshua is to a place name) in eight separate Old or New Testament books. In none of these is it even hinted that Adam was mythical. His wife Eve is mentioned four times in three different books. The theme of inspiration of the Bible as the Word of God is attested in numerous places. 2 Timothy 3:16 refers to all Scripture as being "God breathed," or inspired. 2 Peter 1:20-21 reads, "Knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from one's own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit." (ESV) "Every word of God proves true..." ( Proverbs 30:5) "If anyone thinks that he is a prophet or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things that I am writing you are a command of the Lord." ( 1 Corinthians 14:37) No one can honestly say that they believe in the inspiration, and thus the inerrancy of the Bible, and at the same time say that Adam was not a real person. Why would someone want to assert this falsehood regarding Adam? One possibility is that the truth about Adam is a key component in the question of women's roles in the Kingdom of God. The Holy Spirit, writing through Paul, gives the reality of Adam being created before Eve ( a clear case of God's sovereign will, as He could have created them simultaneously or Eve before Adam) as the primary reason why women should not teach the Word of God or have authority over men. ( 1 Timothy 2:11-13) If Adam is not a real person then this argument evaporates. In Romans 5:12-21 we learn that although Eve actually sinned first ( Genesis 3:6) Adam is held responsible. This provides a foundation for male headship in marriage and the family. Again if Adam is not real then this passage is irrelevant. Since the Bible has about forty human authors but only one divine author it forms a unified whole. Once we begin removing parts then that affects other parts. We should consider the warning found at the end of the book of Revelation, the last book written of the Canon of Scripture. "I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone addsto them, God will also add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book." ( Revelation 22:18-19 ESV)