What Is Total Depravity?

Total depravity is the unbiblical idea that man in unable to respond to the gospel. However, scripture says that the power to salvation (Romans 1:16) is in the gospel and while man doesn't seek God before hearing the gospel it enables man to have faith in God (Romans 10:17). Man does not need an extra measure of grace (something other than the gospel) in order to have faith and believe in God.

 

Here's the reality--From Genesis 3 we see several consequences for "The Fall"

the serpent is cursed
the ground is cursed
The woman has her labor pains increased
Man has to labor for his food
Man and Woman's Eyes have been opened to good and evil
And as a result in the rift in their relationship--Husband will rule over wife and wife's desire will be to dominate (which can also mean something else) her husband. A consequence of sin.
Enmity between the seed of the serpent and the woman (Proto-evangelium?)

And worst of all, They were removed from the presence of God.

What we do not see

Man is cursed nor woman is cursed (You will not find where God cursed mankind.)

In the words of John Walton (NIV Application Commentary)--Man's sperm has not be infected with sin.

So, what can we deduce from this? I will say this, total depravity does not sound like God's Judgment on man.

We have propensities to sin, that's for sure. And whoever sins will become a slave to sin--Christ said that.

So what does it mean to be spiritually dead? Seemingly, one who is not cognizant of the presence of God and one who's spirit is devoid of any life towards God.

And as Ephesians 2:1-9 proves--Yes, we were really that "Bad" and Yes, God is really that Good! Man has systematically attributed certain realities of fallen humanity into what we would describe as Total Depravity. A phrase made up by man. Does it have any merit? i don't know.

 

I have my own view on total depravity.

Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

The human heart is not only deceitful but it is deceitful above all things and not only wicked but desperately wicked,

It seems so deceitful and wicked that we are totally unaware that it is so and that is why the Spirit of God asks us a rhetorical question "who can know it"?

 

Oh well your post has totally disproved my well thought out, well reasoned and scripturally based position.

(I one upped you on the eye roll so I win!)

 

Ppl have the ability to respond to the gospel. Sadly, those in their fallen state will always say "no".

Paul, on Mars Hill said God is not too far from any of us. That is His omnipresence. God is as close to His creation as they want Him to be.

 

I think you left out DEATH.

[Rom 5:12 NASB] 12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned--

DEATH feels like a curse (in my personal opinion).

 

When the lost hear a sermon about the wicked, they seem to think its not about them, as they think of themselves as being not wicked. They see the wicked as those who are rapists, murderers, child molesters, terrorists such as ISIS, Hitler, Stalin, Vlad Dracula, &c. They have found a safe haven where, even though they are not as good as the Christians, they are surely not as bad as their neighbor who beats and cheats on his wife. Uhhhh, yes they are. But they will not believe it.

Yet, all the lost are included in with the wicked. There are not lost, saved, and wicked ppl. There are lost ppl(which includes all as wicked) and the saved.

 

Did my post presume what you assert? That wasn't my intention.

 

I did, not intemtionally. Death for sure. I just don't see where God cursed humanity. I'm not making any assertions. I was simply noting what Gen. 3 says.

 

Intemtionally? Looks like you've been hanging around Y1 lately.

 

I'm eating dimmer

 

FIFY. Just kidding, my Brother. Actually, that could be applied to me. A 15 watt bulb about to blow.