Sutherland Shire councillor Tom Croucher is not new to controversy and has taken the ultimate Christian literal plunge and published a new book called Adam: The First Human? which is sure to ignite debate.
The book explores the interesting, though often divisive, Genesis creation narrative.
Cr Croucher said the traditional view is both poor theology and poor science.
He believes it is not the best interpretation of Genesis and it certainly contradicts everything we know about the origins of our universe and humans.
"The first thing I had to do was reverse the notion that theology comes first and drives our interpretation of science, history and the Bible," Mr Croucher said.
"I wanted to put Genesis and the Bible in a credible light.
"I took science and history as the starting point, added the actual words of the Bible and then set out to explain it."
Mark Speakman the Attorney General of NSW and the Member for Cronulla launched the book saying Mr Croucher touches on one of the most fundamental and enduring questions that people ask themselves: who are we and where did we come from?
"We get so caught up in the daily life that we often don't appreciate the profoundness and mystery of our origin," Mr Speakman said.
"We care so much about the kids' schedule, our work and our daily tasks that we don't stop to think: why are we here? Are we here through random chance?"
The author said if there are long-held beliefs that are no longer supportable, as they are demonstrably untrue, then we have to relinquish them and must pursue interpretations that are consistent and credible.
"This topic is a balancing act, scripture warns repeatedly against human beings trusting too much in their own understanding (1 John 4:5)," Mr Croucher said.
"In Adam's time there were an estimated 1 million people in Mesopotamia and 25 million people around the world. Our understanding of Adam needs to be reviewed because Archeology and Genetics have provided knowledge that we did not have as recently as 50 years ago."
The book lifts the lid on a complex issue that has stumped ordinary believers as well as scholars for centuries. Challenging the traditional Christian teaching that Adam was the first human, Mr Croucher gives a detailed overview of current knowledge of early human origins.
The result is a fresh understanding of who Adam was, taking him out of a vague mythological past, out of a make-believe setting and places him firmly in a real location, in a real and thriving civilisation -and in the dawn of written history.
"I just wanted to set the story straight and put Adam and the Bible in a better light."
Mr Croucher is addressing a Sutherland Library event for those interested on Saturday, June 22 at 10.30am (booking required).
- Adam: The First Human? is available through the Book Depository and Amazon. It can also be purchased directly from the author: t.croucher@optusnet.com.au
