Does our existence as mortal beings in a fallen state can lead to a higher and holier state of existence in eternity? The idea that mankind is in a state of utter depravity comes from the teachings of Augustine in the 4th century and his struggles with sexual sin. Protestant theologians as well did not see any possibility or potential for men and women to have any form of a divine nature even though they are created in the image of God. Biblical apologists think the situation we are in now is an accident, the result of sin and pride, and is not part of God's plan. My thought is how could it be God's plan to live in the Garden of Eden forever if God all-knowing knew that Adam and Eve would fall. Wasn't it the Father's eternal plan to save humans through the atonement of Jesus Christ? This grand misunderstanding underlies the doctrines of mainstream classical trinitarian theology. This life was and is God's plan, not Satan's and not Adam and Eve's. The...
Could Adam and Eve have lived forever in the security of the Garden of Eden and forgone the risks, the suffering, and death of mortality? Why did God create the world and put them in the Garden? Many if not most of the modern evangelical, protestant and ancient Christian scholars, theologians, and philosophers have taught that the plan of God in creating the world was for humans to live in the Garden of Eden forever. These teachers assume that If Eve and Adam had not partaken of the forbidden fruit, they would have had children and resided there for eternity. Did the human family miss its opportunity to live in a state of paradise without mortal suffering or death? The consensus of classical theologians has been that "The Fall" was a negative event for Adam's descendants and mankind was cursed. As I have studied theology, and engaged in online conversations with Christian believers and teachers, I have heard this belief expressed many times. They tell me time and aga...