Thanks for that reply Narkissos. It's very interesting about the role of Genesis in scripture. Maybe I was too influenced by the JW concept of the story. What proof can you supply though that Paul's understanding of Adam as the reason for original sin was mythical in nature. Paul's writings are largely preternatural but I know of no authority that says Paul viewed any of his doctrine as mythical in nature. Semantically why would Paul say 'sin entered into the world through one man', rather than a more general wording. Both statements would have the same sense but one is specifically referencing the Genesis story the other would be a more general concept. Whether Adam was an actual man or the image of all mankind the exegesis of the story is still the same; that man fell into sin and needs a redeemer. I have difficulty fitting this idea with evolutionary biology and the idea that God started it all off knowing it would end with us. There are ramifications for free will if God has perfect precognition of future events and an inevitability for the fall of man. Also if there is no forbidden fruit and expulsion from the garden what did man do that was inherently sinful during the millions of years of evolution?
It seems from your explanation liberal theology is more a philosophy than anything else. That there is some mystical truth and deep meaning in old texts and that this is constantly revised based on our current understanding. I guess I just have a hard time understanding why you would keep holding on to an ever shortening piece of rope. Although, if I'm understanding correctly, it could mean that christian thinking is actually going full circle and returning to it's ultimate paganistic roots where nature was the principle informant on theology.