I think a lot of the discusion misses the vital point.
Was there original sin?
Does man need a saviour?
The whole Bible hinges on this.
Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin;
and so death passed upon all men,
for that all have sinned: 13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.
14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.
15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if
through the offence of one
many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. 16 And not as it was by
one that sinned,
so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. 17 For if by
one man’s offence death reigned by one;
much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life
by one, Jesus Christ.)
18 Therefore as by the offence of one
judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one
the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. 19 For as by one man’s disobedience
many were made sinners, so by
the obedience of one
shall many be made righteous.
The basic theme of redemtion relies on the first man.
If there was no literal “first” man then there is no original sin ... no need for a saviour ... the whole thing is bunk.
So ... is Christianity a “moral” guide?
Or is it the way to eternal life .. the door?
Amen.