A common question of skeptics of the Bible and even of some Bible-believing Christians is, “If we all came from Adam and Eve, why are there so many different skin colors?” There is a good answer, which is consistent with both the Bible and with well-known genetic principles. I will deal with the genetic principles in the next article (The Origin of the Races), but let’s review here the Biblical foundations for answering this question.
The early chapters of Genesis reveal the following things about the origin and early history of mankind:
- Man was made in the image of God as a special creation – distinct from the animals.
- Adam and Eve were the first two people of the human race.
- Eve is called the “mother of all living.”
- Adam and Eve obeyed the command to be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth.
- Their descendents also obeyed this command.
- God judged the world by a Flood because of wickedness.
- Only Noah’s family was saved.
- God renewed his command to be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth.
- The whole earth was populated from the 3 sons of Noah.
- Mankind multiplied but wanted to stay together.
- The whole earth had one language and one speech.
- God confused the languages, causing people to scatter out over the earth.
So, according to the Bible, all people have come from the same two original parents; thus, we are all related. The various “races” came from the Dispersion. People did not descend from different types of apes (as Darwin taught) or even from a common ape-like ancestor as modern evolutionists teach today.
In Acts 17:26 we also read, “And He (God) has made form one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth.” And in that most familiar verse, John 3:16, we read, “For God so loved the world. . . . . that whosoever believes. . . “ There is only one Savior, there is only one way to the Father. . . for all mankind, regardless of skin color.
Originally published in the September/October 2008 issue of Think & Believe newsletter. Please call our office or email us at [email protected] for additional resources on these subjects.
