I meant “natural” in the sense of what happens without a special, new act of God. In other words, what goes beyond sustenance and general providence. I don’t include eternal life within what is natural for humans because I see it as an undeserved gift from God that not all will accept.
Not quite. I don’t see eternal life as something compatible with life apart from God (apart both in the sense of separation and the sense of rejecting God’s guidance/governance). But yes, were it possible, I think that eternal life apart from God would be hellish.
I’m quite open to “considerable symbolism” in the story myself, including what is suggested by naming the main character Humanity. I think that makes the story more relevant rather than less, since it speaks to human nature rather than just what our first parents did.
Yes, they’re on a trajectory of separation from God. But God will still reach out, and their (our) story isn’t over ’til it’s over.
Agreed.
Certainly not ongoing life, right? In that scenario I’d expect the second death.