Death exists because of sin.
Death came into the world through Adam, according to Romans-through one transgression, no less.
If theistic evolution is true, animals died before Adam was born.
What sin lead to their death?
My understanding is that all death is caused by sin. Is there an explanation for this within Theistic Evolution, or are the beliefs mutually exclusive?
Hi Waitingforgood. I'd like to offer the opposing set of points to also consider:
- The Bible makes no direct statement that animals sinned, nor that they ever died before man's sin.
- The first indication of animal death is Genesis 3:21 where God provides skins as clothing for Adam & Eve (how unfortunate of an object lesson of physical death as a consequence for disobedience if spiritual death is the only consequence).
- Jesus physically died on the cross as an atonement for sins (again, seemingly unnecessary that Jesus should suffer physical death if He could only have paid for our sins by being temporarily spiritually separated from God the Father for 3 days instead).
- All of creation (not just humans) groans because of the curse of sin (Romans 8:22)... it would be logical to conclude sin affected animals.
What the Bible teaches is that sin has both a consequence of spiritual death
and physical death (see Revelation 20:14)--eternal separation from God (the 'second death') is spiritual death.
Without an atoning sacrifice for death, we are all headed for both physical and spiritual death because we are spiritually separated from God as a result of man's sin until we accept Jesus into our heart.
Now, God seems to care for animals:
- He has Noah take 2 of each kind into the ark
- Animals are part of His creation
- Animals do feel pain and suffering so it would seem God is indifferent to this
- God provided them 'every green plant' (not each other) to eat at creation (prior to sin)
- In Isaiah (and Revelation) animals are portrayed as being in heaven and at peace with one another
So, it would seem God has a state of existence in mind for animals where they will be at peace (again)... suggesting this was once the case (the likely culprit being sin as disrupting this peace and unity).
The obvious question in opposition to these points is: So why didn't Adam & Eve physically die then when they ate the fruit that day?
That is a good/fair question. The Bible indicates they didn't die and gives no direct explanation for why they didn't physically die that day. Several points to consider though:
- God seems to be in the business of restoring and resurrecting.
- If God had killed Adam & Eve right then and there, what would be the point? Start over? Again, God is in the business of restoring and resurrecting.
- It seems God had intended for life to continue eternally as part of His original plan (tree of life). Further, we read in Revelation that the tree of life exists in heaven as well. We don't know for sure that the tree of life was
only mean't for humans, and the fact that animals will be in heaven suggests God has an eternal plan for them as well (and god gave them every green plan for food, so it is possible they might also eat from the tree of life).
- Adam and Eve did begin to physically die (see Genesis 3:22)--that is, have a finite existence (lest we live forever in our sin). When a branch is separated from the vine, the leaves may still be green for a while, but like us it too eventually dies.
Some of what I've stated is directly from scripture, so it's backed up by God's word; however, I've also made some points that are based upon inferences and speculation so take them for what they're worth. We can all 'imagine' a more 'convenient' way where God would just fix everything when Jesus died and that we'd all be born and never die and the earth we life on now would be perfect and there would be no more sin... but that's our plan, our thoughts, our ways. God's plan, God's thoughts, and God's ways are not ours, for they are higher. Bearing that in mind, not everything we wish or think may perfectly align and so if we presuppose our rationale above God's plans then we can of course make arguments in contrast to what is written in the Bible without end.
Keep searching out the truth.
