What the Calvinist says about Total Depravity: (Taken from: http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Articles/ByDate/1985/1487_What_We_Believe_About_the_Five_Points_of_Calvinism/#Grace)
Human Depravity Is Total in at Least Five Senses
1) Depravity affects every human.
2) Our rebellion or hardness against God is total, that is, apart from the grace of God
there is no delight in the holiness of God, and there is no glad submission to the
sovereign authority of God.
3) In his total rebellion everything man does is sin.
4) Man’s inability to submit to God and do good is total.
5) Our rebellion is totally deserving of eternal punishment.
It is hard to exaggerate the importance of admitting our condition to be this bad. If we think of ourselves as basically good or even less than totally at odds with God, our grasp of the work of God in redemption will be defective. But if we humble ourselves under this terrible truth of our total depravity, we will be in a position to see and appreciate the glory and wonder of the work of God discussed in the next four points.
Calvinists use a variety of Scripture to support each of these five points. Since we know God’s Word is true, if these points are properly interpreting Scripture, there should be no contradiction with Scripture found in other places, as long as they are interpreted properly.
Genesis 3:6-23 tells us about sin entering the world and the punishment of sin. Look closely at the events of that day:
First, Man and Woman were created without a sinful, fallen nature. According to the Calvinist, once sin happened, Man and Woman were “Totally Depraved”. Now examine closely what happened when man was in his “Totally Depraved” state.
Gen 3:7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
Gen 3:8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.
Gen 3:9 And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?
Gen 3:10 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.
Gen 3:11 And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?
I am not claiming Adam after he sinned was still sinless. I am only asking for a fair evaluation of the facts. Although Adam sinned he: 1) Covered his nakedness; 2) Recognized God’s voice; 3) Did not ignore his sinful status; 4) Obediently answered God’s question; and 5) Feared God’s consequences.
I understand Adam used inappropriate materials (fig leaves) for his covering, but he still committed an act that God also did. “Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.” Genesis 3:21 Also take into consideration, God never corrected Man for making clothing.
Ignoring all Adam’s other actions, and focusing in on this one act, the making of clothing, was this action sin? Was it an act of “total rebellion”? Was man unable to do any good? Did this action totally deserve eternal punishment?
Additionally, take into account the fact God did the exact same action, make clothing, for Man and Woman. Consider also man’s need to make future garments. When Man made a garment for his children, was this a sinful act or not? According to the Scriptures, man would have made future clothing without being specifically commanded to do so by God.
To better understand what happened, think about this: God created man as a three-part being. God made man with a body, a mind, and a soul. The body is the physical, the mind is the cognitive, and the soul is spiritual. All of these parts constitute one being and all were made in the image of God. (Genesis 1:26-31; 2:7; 2:15-25)
God told Adam: “And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” Genesis 2:16-17
When man ate of the fruit, man immediately died. Did man’s body die? No, not instantly. Did man’s mind die? No, he could still think. It was man’s soul that died and then needed to be born again.
Man’s sin did not erase the image of God found in man’s mind. This is not only confirmed by the events surrounding the day of man’s first sin, but by Paul in Romans.
Romans 1:19-21 says, “Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.”
Does this passage support item number 3: “In his total rebellion everything man does is sin.” No. Does it support item number 4: “Man’s inability to submit to God and do good is total.” No. Is Total Depravity supported by the entire Word of God? NO!
Remember, we must allow the Calvinists to define their own terms. What would be the benefit of everyone having their own definition of “Total Depravity”? We must allow the definition of the entire TULIP to have its origin in the Calvinist camp.
Before you quickly label me an Arminian let me say, they are equally in contradiction with many biblical doctrines. I reject the Arminian position of “Natural Ability” as much as I reject Total Depravity. As I will explain in future articles, I am neither a Calvinist nor an Arminian.
Until next time – Keep Studying Scripture!
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1 comment:
I find you Biblical interpretation quite interesting. Fact, Adam did cover himself when he realized he was naked. That only shows he is aware of his new condition. He covers himself with fig leaves which as Scripture shows, provides no forgiveness, it is the shedding of blood that will save. Which at first was through the temporary covering by the animal sacrifice, and then finally through the death of Jesus on the cross. These are not done in "faith" in what God has done but only what fallen man can come up to save them. Hearing God's voice, which he has heard all of his life also does not prove ability to respond to Him correctly. Adam hid himself from the God because he was was told that the day he ate from the tree that he would die. He had no concept of the mercy of God thus was afraid, he did fall before God in awe of who God is, but from His wrath.
You claim Adam made an obedient answer to God's question. Okay, he admitted he was hiding and then when further questioned by God, he had an excuse for what had happened. He blamed God for giving the woman and the woman for giving him the fruit that was no acceptance of his sin.
The covering by the fig leaves is not the same as what God did by covering them with the coat of skins. Adam's attempt was a work of trying to cover himself by man's best effort. When covered by the animal skins it meant death, the shedding of blood, had to occur. God didn't say "That was good Adam; you’re just a little off". The sacrifice of a life was the answer to their nakedness (sin). This was only true act that could save, a Godly act, not a man centered action.
Yes, the act of covering with fig leaves was sin, any false sacrifice or Gospel is sin. Yes it was "rebellion"; it was not called for by God. God said "But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." If Adam did not deserve death then God would be a liar. Also "the wages of sin is death".
The covering was something physical but yet it was spiritual. It covered his nakedness but also covered his sin. You are correct in that he did not die physically but spiritually. We are told that since God is a Spirit, worship is done through the spirit which in Adam and all men is dead, not alive, and unable to respond.
Please read Romans 1:19-21 again, they knew of God but did not glorify Him. Thus they did not see Him as He truly is, the idea of God is incorrect, their minds are "darkened", and darkness is seen in scripture as sinful and the works of the evil one.
In Adam we have received a death sentence, 1Cor:15:22 "For as in Adam all die", also 1Cor 15:45-50 "And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
Only through Christ are spiritually alive, and able to follow and obey God. All descendants of Adam are now dead and unable to follow the call of the Spirit. Our mind and body are no longer directed by the Spirit, we follow the sinful nature we have inherited from Adam who is now in control. Totally corrupting us since there is no Godly Spirit leading us.
Thus the doctrine of total depravity is found throughout the pages of scripture. I will later respond to the other 4 points of Calvinism.
Thank you for the time
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