So? Just because he died a physical death does not mean there was no physical death prior to the fall.
In fact, if you believe humans and animals weren't susceptible to physical death before the fall, what is the purpose of the Tree of Life in the garden?
Do theistic evolutionist believe he did not die a physical death?
Christian theistic evolutionists believe he died physically and suffered both spiritually and physically.
My biggest "hang up" is with the human beings though because that affects the rest of the story of the Bible.
Well, there must have been animal death before the fall. We know from the fossil record that billions of animal organisms had been dying for hundreds of millions of years before humans even existed. I don't see why this is a problem, because the relevent passage on death and sin in Romans 5 refers specifically to human death.
Now I think it is possibe to postulate that God gave the first two fully human individuals the supernatural grace of immortality, as symbolized by the tree of life, and that he withdrew it when they sinned. There's no way science could ever disprove that, and it is consistent with the Bible.
I think it's also plausible to postulate that with the fall came spiritual death (that humans always were subject to physical death), and that is consistent with Romans 5 as well. I'm inclined to think this is the more likely interpretation, but either one is plausible.
I believe the Tree of Life gave man & woman some miraculous ability to live forever.
I think it's also plausible to postulate that with the fall came spiritual death (that humans always were subject to physical death), and that is consistent with Romans 5 as well..
How is it consistent with Romans 5 when it says "sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin."? This says to me that there was no death until man sinned. 1 Corinthians 15:21-22 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
Is your belief that all these Scriptures and others should have the word spiritual in front of the word death? Am I interpreting your thoughts correctly on this?