What did Paul say about creation?
Some creationists attempt to say that Jesus and Paul also taught a literal six day creation. I’ve already discussed what Jesus had to say here. Regarding Paul, Romans 5 is often quoted to support creationism, as Eric Kemp does here:
If death and suffering already existed before the first man had a chance to sin, why do we need a savior? The most important doctrine of Christianity, humanities need for a savior and Jesus’ ability to fill that roll, is based, according to Paul, on Adam’s first sin (Romans 5:16-18).
Are we condemned merely because of Adam’s sin? No. According to Genesis, sin entered the world through Adam and Eve, but we are all sinful. Do we not all deserve damnation based on our own deeds?
…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. (Romans 3:23-24)
Was Jesus’ goal to save us from physical death? Are we ever promised that we won’t have to suffer physical death simply because we are believers? No. We are safe from spiritual death because Jesus died for our sins and rose again.
The entire focus of Romans 5 is man’s fall and redemption through Jesus Christ. It is not teaching creationism.
Blog of the Airtightnoodle 
October 25, 2008 at 3:54 pm
Airtightnoodle
“Are we condemned merely because of Adam’s sin? No. According to Genesis, sin entered the world through Adam and Eve, but we are all sinful. Do we not all deserve damnation based on our own deeds?”
Romans 5:17, “For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.”
v. 18 “So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men.”
It’s both. We sin BECUASE of Adam’s sin. Humanity in general is condemned because of Adam’s sin and we are condemned PERSONALLY because of our sin. This is a clear Biblical teaching. Truly, you should evaluate why your adherence to evolution is making you deny clear Biblical doctrine.
Paul is literally saying that death reigned through Adam’s sin. But if evolution is true, then Paul is wrong. According your beliefs, death reigned for billions of years before Adam showed up.
“The entire focus of Romans 5 is man’s fall and redemption through Jesus Christ. It is not teaching creationism.”
No one said any different. But Paul is clearly teaching a literal (natural) translation of Genesis. There is no way around this.
October 26, 2008 at 10:25 pm
Eric,
Please clarify. Are you saying you think there was NO death whatsoever–no animal, plant, etc–before the fall?
October 27, 2008 at 2:56 pm
That is what the Bible teaches
October 29, 2008 at 9:10 pm
Well, I’ll have to add this topic to my list of things to blog about. 🙂 We obviously disagree.
October 29, 2008 at 9:21 pm
“Please clarify. Are you saying you think there was NO death whatsoever–no animal, plant, etc–before the fall?
Eric Kemp Says:
October 27, 2008 at 2:56 pm
That is what the Bible teaches”
So did god implant the digestive systemin animals before or after the Fall?