I hesitate to try to place a name upon the “paradise restored” view that you have presented for discussion. A few “isms” and “ists” came to mind while I read your post.
One example is the preterist view. Many will probably jump on my offered definition and point out errors in my understanding, but I think the preterists in general want a restoration of things to at least what they were in the “early church” (prior to AD 70 or the first century). I recently learned that preterists have “manifested” or organized themselves in roughly three modern day movements: the Pentecostals have wanted to “recreate” the miracles and signs associated with the day of Pentecost. Then a movement or “wave” occurred whose adherents are called “charismatics” who generally desire a state as when the gifts manifested in the Corinthian church. They want to believe that prophecy, miracles, ecstatic utterances, etc. should be common place and the norm. The third most recent “phenomenon” is the “vineyard” movement that is named after a fellowship where this teaching became popular (i.e. that ecstatic utterances, extreme emotional events should be common).
But that doesn’t help you, does it? So here is one that might hit a little closer home to Eden before the “fall”.
Again, I may get showered with tons of corrections and recommendations to read an article of one of the church fathers, but “premillenialism” may be closer to your ideal:
The premillenialist view states that we are living in an age prior to a yet future 1000 year reign with Christ. In this view, the ideal state that you mentioned in the garden of Eden prior to Adam’s sin could potentially be realized by the saints in the millennial, earthly kingdom. If my eschatology is correct, this state occurs prior to the “new heavens and new earth” mentioned by John in the book of Revelation. Satan is bound during this period and so many have concluded that the present earth (this current creation) will actually have the chance to experience what Adam and Eve had before this ugly thing of sin messed us all up.
Now, let me share some of my own heart on your question. I believe that the most important aspect of this discussion is the relationship that Adam and Eve had with God, our Father. I consider this relationship many times more valuable than their physical condition in the garden. I know that weeds and various toilsome, troublesome things came about as part of God’s curse that he had to pronounce upon Adam after his rebellion. I also am to understand from God’s word that the creation itself groans to be clothed upon with the glory that is to be revealed. See Romans 8:18-22. The Jews in Jesus time were waiting for a prophet or Messiah who would “…restore all things”. So you might want to do some research on the subject of restorationism.
However, I believe that the way that we get back to what Adam and Eve had prior to Adam’s fall is the miracle of “regeneration” or “rebirth” as Jesus described to Nicodemus in John’s gospel, chapter 3. The physical aspect of creature comforts in the garden and the cool of the day when God walked with Man is not the essential aspect of “paradise restored”. It is rather the restoration of relationship that Adam had with God. Before sin came, God visited with man and walked with him. There was a sweet communion, a friendship, a relationship that cannot be equaled anywhere. Excepting in our hearts; when we receive Christ as savior.
So the essential aspect of paradise regained is the restoration of fellowship with God, the restoration of the relationship that had been lost through disobedience. Then the physical benefits follow as a secondary aspect. I think our natural inclination (and this may not be wrong) is to expect that as creation was corrupted by the “fall” of the first Adam, it should then see a restoration or “regeneration” under the reign of the “last Adam”, Jesus Christ. But our primary focus can remain as the New Testament truth of rebirth of our spirit. It could be that the cleansing of our corrupted earth (physical environment) may be linked to the physical elements once again coming under the obedience of Jesus Christ.
