Skin Colors of Adam and Eve

Some people wonder about the skin tones of Adam and Eve, but that should be obvious. They looked like white Europeans if the classic artwork can be believed. Actually, much of that religious artwork is cringeworthy. They meant well but made assumptions based on their own surroundings.

Adam et Eve, Gustave-Claude-Etienne Courtois

Perhaps I should cut the artists some slack for assuming whiteness, which could not account for all the variations in people groups. After all, the science of genetics that was pioneered by Gregor Mendel (peas be upon him) was only in its beginning stages. I still have to complain, though, that artists didn't know Genesis when they painted or drew Adam and Eve's expulsion from Eden: They were clothed with skins provided by God, so they were not naked, and Eve was not wearing a gown (Gen. 3:20-21).

Just a bit of science sense tells us that the first couple could not have been looking like they were from a Nordic country, since white folks don't have enough genetic diversity. Biblical creationists point out that they were most likely middle brown, which gives a gene pool that has a deep end. The following article gets into genetic factors of variations, not just of skin color, but other things as well. Also, the refuted "one gene, one trait" myth is further shown to be inadequte. Get your cognating hat on.

Humans around the world are diverse with different hair colors, eye colors, and skin shades, among many other traits. Yet, the Bible teaches that we are all descendants of Adam and Eve. This raises interesting questions regarding the origin of the various colors and shades. For example, we might wonder what Adam and Eve looked like? Or, how could we have so much variation from just two original parents?

You can read the entire article by clicking on "What Color Was Adam?"