Featured Divine Law that justifies condemning just for unjust

Depends on how one defines "world" (as it is the same Greek word used in 1 Jn 2:2). I am not advocating the position, but the existence of sin and death apart from Adam is a possibility if "world" refers to mankind rather than the cosmos or Creation.

 

Still depends on how one defines "world" as to whether sin existed prior to Adam but apart from mankind. Same with death.

Not that I disagree....or agree....with your interpretation. Just that on the thread about the word "world" the obvious observance of an astute mind is the interpretation can vary depending on that word.

 

I have seen it argued that Satan was guilty of sin. If one supposes Satan's "fall" was sometime prior to Adam's "fall", and that rebellion was sin, then sin predates Adam. This does not contradict Scripture if the word "world" refers to mankind (which it can). Likewise, death could have preexisted Adam if the topic its human sin and mankind (sin entered the world of man, death spread to all mankind).

Again, I am not saying this is what I believe. But I am not sure we can approach other interpretations dismissively. At least not when we consider "all the elect" to be a possible definition of the exact same word in 1 John 2:2.

 

When Scripture speaks of sin, death, and redemption it is in the context of human sin, human death, and the redemption of man.

Scripture does not tell us all dogs go to heaven because Scripture deals with the glory of God through redemptive history (of man).

Does Paul say through Adam death entered the world (creation) or the world (mankind)?

Both are possible. Since Creation was made subject to futility not through Adam's transgression but by God, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God, a case can legitimately be made that "world" in that verse speaks of mankind.

Whether we want to acknowledge it as a legitimate view based on that text is another matter entirely. Life is most simple in the choir, a bit more complicated on the highways.

 

Yes. Scripture is the final authority. And Scripture is consistent.

Personally I think here sin entered the world and death through sin has to mean "mankind" because shortly afterwards in Chapter 8 Paul explains a different cause in reference to Creation.

Likewise, I believe God reconciling the "world" to Himself through Christ refers to "mankind" (not dogs and cats, or the cosmos, or Creation). Mostly because the explanation of God not counting man's sin against him. But partly because of Paul's explanation in Romans 8.

We disagree, and that is fine.

If "world" here does mean "all creation" and animals die because of man's sin rather than God's subjection, you are still not excluding man.

From an academic standpoint I believe it flawed. But from a practical standpoint I do not know it matters.

 

It is interesting to explore what others have thought. This is a theme I've seen in Christian fiction, but as a doctrine I think it is beyond orthodox Christian belief.

My view that you are mistaking about "world" in Romans 5 has nothing to do with the idea of a pre-existing soul. It has to do with Paul's explanation in Romans 8 as to why Creation is subject to futility and that reconciliation of the world in 2 Corinthians 5.

Giving that Paul attributes the futility of Creation to God rather than Adam's sin, I think it reasonable to hold that Creation was subjected to futility by God rather than through Adam's sin. So I think it at least somewhat reasonable to believe that through sin death spread to mankind rather than to all of creation.

This is why I am less defensive about interpreting "world" in Romans 5 as "mankind". The context can legitimately hold that interpretation of the word.