Surely evolutionary theory is utterly incompatible with standard Pauline theology, as understood and taught by many evangelical churches?
God created a perfect world (Eden). Adam and Eve (i.e. humans) were part of this perfect order. In Eden there was no sin… and as such, no pain or death or suffering.
Paul is pretty clear that death and disease are the results of sin, and specifically human sin. This is why Christ had to suffer and die on the cross… as propitiation for Adam and Eve’s sinful acts. As such, we can be free of death (a restoration that extends to the whole of creation).
[QUOTE=Romans 5 v12]
Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned— for before the law was given, sin was in the world. But sin is not taken into account when there is no law. Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who was a pattern of the one to come.
[/quote]
But this suggests that before Adam and Eve existed, there was no sin… and thus no pain, or death, or suffering.
The fact that countless millions of animals experienced pain and death before humans appeared suggests that death did not enter the world as a result of human action, but was there from the start. Which implies that God did not actually create a “perfect” world.
If death is part of life, if suffering and pain are integral to a perfect creation, why the need for Christ’s death? You can argue that it’s in the spiritual realm that Christ’s death has its effect, but Paul is pretty clear that it’s a victory over physical death. But science shows that the “perfect” order to which this restoration will apply never existed, meaning Christ’s death was meaningless.
