What Does It Mean To Be “In Adam”?
The expression “in Adam” (
1 Corinthians 15:22) means “to be part of the group which finds in Adam its representative and leader, which finds its identity and destiny in Adam and what he has brought about for his people.”
23 This idea of being “in Adam” brings up a common objection to the teaching of original sin, which Giberson raises: “What justice permits you and me to be punished for something with which we had nothing to do?”
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Of course, the view that we are guilty sinners in Adam is repulsive to our self-serving individualistic Western world. However, this overlooks the corporate dimension to human life and the biblical concept of federal headship (one individual representing an entire group—see
Joshua 7:10–26).
25 Adam is our federal head. In the Garden of Eden Adam was not simply acting for himself but for all those he represents.
Godappointed Adam to act not only for himself but also for his descendants. Never have we been more perfectly represented than when we were represented through Adam. Yet, the real reason many reject the idea of inherited sin from Adam is stated by the late James Montgomery Boice:
I am convinced that the major reason why the liberal scholars want to regard the opening chapters of Genesis as mythology is that they do not want to face the reality of the fall of the race in Adam or the guilt that flows from it.
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As fallen human beings there is a vigorous protest within our hearts against the belief in the imputation of guilt from one person to another.