Mainly a question for those who believe in both (or anyone else with an idea)...
If there was no literal Adam and Eve and no literal "fall," is a literal savior still necessary? Why?
2007-04-13 05:18:10 · 12 answers · asked by Eleventy 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Yes because we all still literally sin. I don't really think original sin is a true doctrine, it just tells of how sin first came through Adam and Eve, we irreversibly carried on the tradition, and Christ has come to give us a way out of it.
2007-04-13 05:26:42 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
If you mean 'is a savior who dies the only way for people to be forgiven' then the answer is no and has nothing to do with Adam and Eve. God forgave people throughout history and not only after Jesus' time, according to the Biblical writings. The idea that God had to punish people and that the death of Jesus is a transaction is a major departure from the Bible's emphasis on sin as having to do with a broken relationship.
The contrast Paul draws between Adam and Christ is not between two groups who are descended from each. Adam and Christ represent two ages and two ways of life and two ways of relating to God.
A reading of the Adam and Eve story as about two literal ancestors who are really to blame for our human predicament misses at least one major point of the story, namely that such blame-shifting is (according to the story in Genesis 3) a direct result of our alienation from God.
The story, when read as being about each of us, about human experience in general, makes much sense and has profound insights. It is about coming of age. When did you first know you were naked? We cannot pinpoint the moment, and that is why we need such stories. The experience of loss of innocence and alienation from God and one another is a problem that calls out for resolution, without it having to be the result of the disobedience of two specific ancestors.
2007-04-13 12:48:20 · answer #2 · answered by jamesfrankmcgrath 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good question, and I think the answer to it is a lot more palatable than the idea that we need saving because of the misdeed of two ancient ancestors.
If we accept Genesis as an allegorical story it does not need to talk of the chronological origin of sin (in the way, for example, that the "big bang" talks of the chronological origin of the universe) but of the ontological origin (like "how does racism arise"). We are not looking at a historical event but a historical invention designed to elucidate a situation that is constantly arising - ie that we sin, that we are imperfect. On that basis we all fall (and WE qua INDIVIDUALS fall) and need saving.
2007-04-13 12:38:12 · answer #3 · answered by anthonypaullloyd 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
literal fall happens in our daily lives as you can see, the savior was sent because of the sin of man and not because of Adam and Eve's existence, adam and eve represents each and every one of us who belive in God yet commit sin
for me a savior is essential if we believe in the life after death but if not, it's up to you
2007-04-13 12:34:40 · answer #4 · answered by ocel 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
http://www.mormon.org/learn/0,8672,791-1,00.html
Let us suppose that millions of years ago a cell was formed which had acquired everything necessary for life, and that it duly "came to life". The theory of evolution again collapses at this point. For even if this cell had existed for a while, it would eventually have died and after its death, nothing would have remained, and everything would have reverted to where it had started. This is because this first living cell, lacking any genetic information, would not have been able to reproduce and start a new generation. Life would have ended with its death.
2007-04-14 09:07:22 · answer #5 · answered by J D 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't see how you can reconcile both views. In the Bible, the story of Adam and Eve is presented as literal. They had descendants which are named in the Bible. A Christian cannot say that it is allegorical. In Hebrews, Paul says "By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.". Clearly, he believed Abel was a real man.
2007-04-13 12:33:37 · answer #6 · answered by Gui 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Look at the world around you, please, and ask yourself if a savior is not necessary right now. The world is quickly descending to a point of no return. Do you honestly think that petty, selfish, power hungry humans will put aside their own self-interests to solve mankind's problems?
2007-04-13 12:25:20 · answer #7 · answered by Q&A Queen 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Isn't it obvious with the way the world is today that "something" fell?
As for a savior--Yea, I think we need one. Humans aren't doing a very good job.
"Where is Superman when you need him?"
Words of Jimmy Olson
2007-04-13 12:24:57 · answer #8 · answered by Me 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Messiah concept is rather ridiculous, since he was supposed to be a Jewish styled Messiah, meaning that he would defeat their enemies, literally not figuratively.
Instead, he was posthumously reworked into a virtual copy of Mithras, Horus and Apollo, a mystery cult figure to save us from......the concepts of evil and death but not the realities.
2007-04-13 12:23:03 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Thats a very good question. For those that believe in both cause God did all..
2007-04-13 12:23:10 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋