One disagreement first. Beeblebrox said
When God threw them out of Eden, He created death.
God very clearly tells Adam that by eating the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil he “will surely die.” Gen 2:17
My church teaches that sin separates man from God, and this results in death. I believe that interpretation to be consistent with the OT establishment of sacrifice for sin on through the NT and the final offering, Jesus.
In regard to the OP by Fear Itself
If the penalty for sin is the death of the soul, how can Jesus’
physical death be considered payment for anybody’s sin?
I’ve tried writing my response a couple times already, and I think I finally got the point you’re looking to address, ie, how can sin worthy of eternal damnation be redeemed through physical death?
But you see, beginning in the OT, God establishes and requires blood sacrifice for sin. NOT eternal damnation. Eternal damnation is reserved for those who reject God’s offer of the means of redemption of man.
In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. Heb 9:22
Every high priest is selected from among men and is appointed to represent them in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. Heb 5:1
No one takes this honor upon himself; he must be called by God…
Heb 5:4
During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission…and was designated by God to be high priest…
Heb 5:7-10
When Christ came as high priest of the good things that are to come, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not man-made, that is to say, not a part of this creation. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death…Heb 9:11-14
I know this is short and a bit sloppy, but I didn’t want to be too long-winded. Read the book of Hebrews for a fuller picture of the magnitude of Jesus’ sacrifice and the purpose for which he died.
Until Jesus, God tolerated blood sacrifice for payment of sin. Once Jesus died, that payment was made in full. All that is now required is acceptance of the offer of Jesus’ blood and repentance of sin. Rejection of that offer makes your life again subject to the penalty of sin which is death.