There is a major theological error present in the article. Please read Romans 5-6 (Link). Paul makes it very clear that death entered the world through sin, and sin through Adam. Thus sin and death did not exist prior to Adam's creation. Biblically, there is no way there could be billions of years filled with death prior to Adam.
Now if death did reign prior to Adam's sin, then death is natural and is not a punishment for sin. Christ's death would thus be in vain, as it would not be necessary for our sin to be payed for. If sin existed in the world prior to Adam's sin, Christ's death would again be in vain.