It's an open question whether I qualify as a TE. Stephen Jones insists I
don't, because I believe that evolution, to the extent it operates,
operates totally under the sovereignty of God, accomplishes exactly what
God desires to be accomplished, and could not function without His
oversight. I've read the responses of several of the other TE's/EC's in
the group and pretty much agree with them (I do have a question for Denis
regarding what theopneumatics means. Maybe something about how God speaks
to us?). However, I will also respond and address a couple of points from
Scripture that ought to be considered in this discussion.
First, I agree with Terry that death of _humans_ results from the fall, but
that there is nothing in Scripture that rules out death of animals before
the fall. Romans 5:12 says
Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world,
and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all
sinned --
This is teaching that death came to _men_ because of Adam's sin.
One might ask further what is meant by "death" in this passage, since in
the New Testament "death" is frequently used to mean a state of being in
rebellion against God and out of fellowship with Him (see Eph 2:1 for
example).
In Genesis 2:17 God warns Adam,
but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat,
for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die.
When Adam and Eve sin, they are put out of the Garden -- where they have
walked and talked and enjoyed fellowship with God. It seems to me you can
as easily conclude that the state of being put out of God's presence and
out of His fellowship may be the death that is being warned of in Gen 2:17.
And this interpretation very effectively sets the scene for the appearance
of the second Adam in the New Testament. Of course Adam and Eve eventually
die physically, but that's up to 900-odd years later.
Bill Hamilton | Chassis & Vehicle Systems
GM R&D Center | Warren, MI 48090-9055
810 986 1474 (voice) | 810 986 3003 (FAX)
hamilton@gmr.com (office) | whamilto@mich.com (home)