Did death occur before sin?  The answer to that question depends on your worldview.  In this video blog I answer it with a young earth creation worldview.  In order to explain this point of view, I start with the gospel, and how that leads me to believe that sin led to death.  I end with questions about what it means to the gospel if death came before sin.

I received this question on my YouTube channel, @CreationResearchEssential: “Things became ‘not good’ before God made Eve (Gen2). How did that happen, in light of Gen1, where everything was ‘very good’ after the creation of the male and female?”  Then I got a follow-up question: “Have you considered why Abels’ offering was respected and not the other?”

This is such a great question, I thought I would answer it in a blog.  So, here is my answer …

When I read this question, I see at least three questions:  How could there be death before sin?  When was Eve made? And, what sacrifice does God require?

The question about Eve is a question of worldview.  I present my answer from a young earth creation worldview.  From this point of view, Eve was present when she and Adam ate the forbidden fruit and everything became “not good.”

I made a short video answer the question: “How could there be death before sin?”

The third question about sacrifice is also embedded in the first question.  You can read more about this question below the video.

The answer to the question about Cain and Abel’s sacrifice begins in Genesis 3:21, when God slayed animals to “cover” their sins.  God commanded His people to make blood sacrifices to atone for their sins throughout the Old Testament.  That is why God was displeased with Cains offering of “fruit of the ground” rather than a blood sacrifice (Genesis 4:1-7).  On the other hand, Abel provided a blood sacrifice and God was pleased.

Why is this important?  Because the Lord, Jesus Christ, offered His blood as a sacrifice and forgave our sins.

Hebrews 10:4-1o tells us “For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.  Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me; in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure.
Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God,
as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.’”  When he said above, “You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings” (these are offered according to the law), then he added, “Behold, I have come to do your will.” He does away with the first in order to establish the second.  And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”

All He asks of us is our faith in Him and accept His free gift of salvation.