In light of my previous post with there possibly being death in the world before sin, I've some questions that have recently come to mind. I apologize if these questions have been asked a hundred times over. But, if they have been asked plenty of times before, then I should feel confident in your guys ability to answer my questions clear and precisely.
Rom 5:12 tells us sin entered the world through one man... So, it is commonly understood that there was no sin/evil in the world before this, correct?. But, is this accurate? Meaning, are we understanding Paul within the correct context?
Was the serpent good? Was the deception/lie that he told not actually a lie because that would have been evil in intent? If there was no evil in the world, then how do we account for the serpent and his deception? Did the serpent not actually approach Eve and it was all just her imagination? Is this just a grandiose story to scare little children at night?
Or..... is it possible evil was in the world before Adam sinned? In verse 5:12, is it possible that Paul is only speaking in the context of the relationship between man and God? In other words, was Paul only saying there was no evil/sin within the relationship between man and God. An analogy of this might be your relationship with your spouse. There is hate in the world, but not in your relationship with your spouse. But, the hate of the world, through deception or lies, eventually makes its way into your relationship. Is it possible this is the context of what Paul is saying?
Now, if evil was possibly in the world before the fall, then would it not be conceivable that death too was also in the world before the fall, just not within man's relationship with God? Physical death was in the world, but spiritual death is the death that Paul is speaking about?
I look forward to reading your answers. But please, explain the reason/reasons why that is your answer instead of just throwing a verse in my face and saying "See! The bible says so!" Explain why so I know you understand the context in which your verse was originally used.
Rom 5:12 tells us sin entered the world through one man... So, it is commonly understood that there was no sin/evil in the world before this, correct?. But, is this accurate? Meaning, are we understanding Paul within the correct context?
Was the serpent good? Was the deception/lie that he told not actually a lie because that would have been evil in intent? If there was no evil in the world, then how do we account for the serpent and his deception? Did the serpent not actually approach Eve and it was all just her imagination? Is this just a grandiose story to scare little children at night?
Or..... is it possible evil was in the world before Adam sinned? In verse 5:12, is it possible that Paul is only speaking in the context of the relationship between man and God? In other words, was Paul only saying there was no evil/sin within the relationship between man and God. An analogy of this might be your relationship with your spouse. There is hate in the world, but not in your relationship with your spouse. But, the hate of the world, through deception or lies, eventually makes its way into your relationship. Is it possible this is the context of what Paul is saying?
Now, if evil was possibly in the world before the fall, then would it not be conceivable that death too was also in the world before the fall, just not within man's relationship with God? Physical death was in the world, but spiritual death is the death that Paul is speaking about?
I look forward to reading your answers. But please, explain the reason/reasons why that is your answer instead of just throwing a verse in my face and saying "See! The bible says so!" Explain why so I know you understand the context in which your verse was originally used.
