One or many Adams?

Abstract

In an age of dialogue one notes with interest an ever intensifying and frequent exchange of ideas between the scientist and the theologian on the subject of polygenism and original sin. There are two elements involved in this dialogue: the nature of original sin in itself and the dimension of its originator. The latter involves a general scientific question regarding the origin of man from one pair (monogenism) or from many couples (polygenism). If this question were purely scientific, there would be no need for the many articles on this topic currently appearing in theological books and magazines. The question has theological implications, and it is with these implications that complications set in.