I would think that you, as an atheist, would be the first to grasp why my second statement follows from my first.

Why did adam have the power to do this?

Well it's no wonder we're having trouble communicating.

I'm a Christian, wrestling pretty hard with if I should remain one.

Ace,

Given that ~90% of the guys in here are non-theists, and many of them
very anti-Christian, I'd suggest if you are questioning your beliefs
that you should at least pose your questions in some Christian forums
in addition to this one, so as to get some balance in the responses.

grunching

If you are talking simply about the story of adam and eve then no, if you are talking about original sin, then possibly.

One can believe that the story in Genesis simply is a metaphorical representation of the fall of man and therefore believe it not to have actually happened that way while still believing that original sin is an actual concept brought about by some other way. Thus logically retaining the idea that christ came to overcome original sin.

This is where I end up too.

I just am growing uncomfortable with all the mental gymnastics required to maintain my Christian beliefs, at least ones that resemble the well intended Christianity I inherited from those I've learned from.

I think the story was literal and figurative.

Consider this guys comprehensive account of the reality behind the "metaphor" or parallel. http://www.jahtruth.net/twh.pdf

Why does it matter whether the basic claims of traditional Christian theology are true?

How do you be a Christian if you think that the story and theology of the New Testament is basically mythological?

I'm exploring the validity of what I've always thought to be true. I am basically asking the same question out loud. I wanted to hear any alternative to the obvious conclusion that it's hard to hold that view of scripture and be a Christian.

Then why give all faith to your mental gymnastics?

We put faith in a person not in our own heads.

Pro.3:5-6; Acknowledge God in all you do and He will guide you
in all things.

Prov 3:5 (KJV) Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean
not unto thine own understanding.
Prov 3:6 (KJV) In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall
direct thy paths.

Prov 3:5 (MSG) Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't
try to figure out everything on your own.
Prov 3:6 (MSG) Listen for God's voice in everything you do,
everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track.

Pray then plan. Not plan then pray:
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2007/20070604-1416.html

"God favors it" was only part of my answer. You didn't respond to the necessity part. Faith, as generally defined meaning not only religious faith, is necessary for any kind of reasoning about reality including what is based on physical observation, etc. Therefore, faith is a virtue.

One of the major elements of where I place my faith is in the Bible as the word of God. I can't prove it, nor can you disprove it. So it's a judgement call. Given that as a premise, God's moral authority follows regardless of my inability to reverse-engineer his decisions. Accordingly, "why he favors it" is nonessential information, in addition to usually being impossible to know anyway.

God gave him this power as part of Adam being made in his image. Unfortunately, Adam chose to misuse it despite being warned of the consequences.

I dislike mental gymnastics also. A lot of problems arise when trying to reconciling non-Biblical traditions that diverge from what is in the actual Bible. These I will agree are the cause of a lot of problems.

Are the metaphors themselves divinely inspired? Because as literary devices go, Adam and Eve is a pretty crappy metaphor. And why don't we have the literal story?

Best to be particularly aware of your surroundings and really know other people when engaging in mental exercises anyways.

"Do not be misled: Bad company corrupts good character". (1 Corinthians 15:33)