On April 21, 2024, I attended a Christian gathering in Jos where a preacher made intriguing comparisons between the biblical figure of Adam (Genesis 1:26; 2:7) and Jesus of Nazareth (Matthew 2; Luke 2). This comparison prompted me to reflect deeply and raise critical questions: Was Adam created or born? Was Jesus conceived or incarnated?According to the preacher, Adam was created—not born. He asserted that Adam was created as a fully matured adult, bypassing any childhood experiences. This implies that Adam did not undergo the typical stages of human development, such as infancy, childhood, and adolescence; yet he was deemed a complete human being. In contrast, the preacher described Jesus as being born rather than created, embodying both full humanity and full divinity. Importantly, Jesus was not born through natural descent, and he assumed human form to experience life and ultimately die for humanity’s sins. The preacher suggested that this strategy made Jesus more relatable to people, thus contributing to his success.While the preacher’s contrast between the mythical Adam and the historical Jesus was intriguing, I felt compelled to explore three areas of concern: the pre-existence of man (Jeremiah 1:4-6), the true identity of man, and the distinctions between Adam and Jesus.The preacher claimed that because Jesus was God, he needed to become human to experience life and, ultimately, die for humanity’s sins—only humans can die. This leads us to question whether Jesus’s human experiences were indeed essential for his identity and his redemptive mission. If that is the case, then we must challenge the idea that Adam was created as an adult without childhood experiences.Is it valid to argue that childhood experiences are essential for Jesus to be recognized as fully human but not necessary for Adam, supposed to be an adult and a responsible parent? What does it mean to be human if one lacks childhood experiences? Childhood is certainly not the only component of humanity, but it is undeniably a significant stage in achieving adulthood. While various interpretations of Genesis 2:7 exist, the verse suggests a developmental process: “and man became a living soul.” A person does not simply emerge as a living being; there is a transformative experience—a journey of growth.The Christian doctrine, akin to scientific thought, often views man purely in biological terms, defining humanity as a product of chemical combinations—essentially, flesh and blood. A key verse supporting this notion is John 1:14: “and the word became flesh…” This statement implies that a spiritual being became physical and mortal. However, is it sufficient to reduce humanity to mere biology? What if man encompasses far more than just material existence?This brings us to my final question concerning the pre-existence of man. Jeremiah 1:4-6 states, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations” (KJV). This text presents two significant concepts—God’s foreknowledge and the pre-existence of man. My focus here is solely on the latter.Jeremiah’s words suggest that man exists prior to the biological fusion typical in conception—whether in the mind of God or in some other form of existence remains uncertain. The crucial takeaway is that man is not merely an outcome of sperm and ovum fusion; there is a pre-existing entity that needs acknowledgment.Upon careful reflection, Jeremiah 1:4-6 presents significant challenges to the traditional Christian perspective of humanity as solely biological entities. This passage prompts a reconsideration of our understanding of what it means to be human.At what moment does an individual become a human being? Is it at the point of fertilization, during birth, or at some stage before these events?If we accept the implications of Jeremiah 1:4-6, how do we define the pre-existing individual? Is this entity considered born or created? If it is created, what is its state of existence prior to conception, and in what form does it exist?When Christians assert that God became man, in what form or sense are they referring? If humanity pre-exists, can we claim any understanding of this pre-existing individual in relation to, or distinction from, those who are born?Furthermore, if Jesus is regarded as God who became a man, does it follow logically to suggest that God transitioned from a state of pre-existence to being conceived and born? Or is there a fundamental distinction between the pre-existing individual and the born human? If such a difference exists, what does it imply about God’s incarnation as a man?Until these pressing questions—and others—are adequately addressed, I find it challenging to accept the Christian narrative and its assertions as anything more than a constructed framework.In conclusion, while the preacher presented compelling contrasts between Adam and Jesus, deeper reflection raises important questions. Understanding humanity involves grappling with concepts of identity, experience, and pre-existence, which challenge simplistic beliefs about what it means to be truly human.
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