Paul Bruggink and I have been discussing whether or not the Apostle Paul would have even ponder the possibility that Adam and Eve were figurative and not literal people. I have read a little of Josephus and if I recall he used literal human language. I have not read Philo so maybe he would be one to use figurative language? Paul has suggested that he has read where an author argued that educated Jews of that period may very well have interpreted Adam figuratively but he could not recall where such an argument could be found so I thought I would ask here.
Does anyone know of any Jewish literature from the Second Temple era or early thereafter that interpreted Adam as a figurative human rather than a literal one?
the archives near Emmaus 
BioLogos has had several recent discussions on these and related issues. In one of those posts, Peter Enns has also collected and briefly discussed at least some of the relevant, Second Temple texts.
David,
Awesome. I will take a look at those.
you just never know what kinds of jewels you’ll find in these kinds of stores – good catch by the sea!!
Indeed. For a quick-and-dirty list of Philo’s references to Adam also, see here.
Unbelief is as old as Adam himself, so it would not be surprising at all if some Jews in the first century disbelieved the ancient texts. Didn’t our Lord chide many of his contemporary Jews, and even his own disciples, for this very thing . . . a refusal to believe ALL that the prophets have spoken? In a way, it’s poetic justice that the first human beings to disbelieve God – Adam and Eve – are now considered essentially non-existent by their own descendants.
Derek,
I think that is jumping on to a whole different hobby horse altogether.
Sustained.
[rides away on hobby horse]
It is an interesting and worthwhile question, though. Someone should write a book documenting various views of Adam throughout history, who held them and why. It would be a great reference. I’d even be curious to know how Islam has dealt with the issue.
Derek,
I am surprised that there has not been anything written on this subject yet as well. Have you looked around for such a work?
I looked around on Amazon but couldn’t find anything quite that narrow. Lots of “fresh, new” interpretations of Adam and Eve from all different angles (biology, sociology, Jewish hermeneutics, archeology, gender relations, etc.), but nothing detailing the actual theological views of various interpreters in different time periods.
Derek,
Hmmmm, maybe I will write it someday!