The Exile of Adam in Romans

This book investigates the divine son motif in Romans 5 and 8 through the lens of exile and restoration. David P. Barry presents a pattern of allusions to Israel and Adam and argues that Paul deliberately employs both themes to show their fulfillment in Christ. Both Adams exclusion from Eden and Israels exile from Palestine are, for Paul, a divine son falling short of Gods holiness and forfeiting the divine inheritance and presence. The themes of Adam and Israel are complementary examples of sin and separation from God, which Paul argues are reversed in Christ and for believers in union with him. This theme of divine sons provides a framework for interpreting Pauls use of restoration prophecies in Romans 5 and 8. Various references to restoration prophecies (e.g., Ezek 36:2237:14 in Rom 8:111) which were apparently given to ethnic Israel, are applied more broadly. The scope of fulfillment goes beyond its the ethnic boundary to include the spiritual children of Abraham: Jew and Gentile. Barry concludes that the exile is over in spirit, but continues in body. The new people of God are already spiritually restored to Gods presence by faith and will be bodily brought into Gods presence in glory.