Total Depravity
A
proper definition of total depravity should focus primarily on the questions of
sinfulness vs. goodness, and ability vs. inability. Because of the effects of the fall, that original relationship of
fellowship with God was broken. As a result, no one wills to do anything good
Positively,
total depravity means that the corruption has extended to all aspects of man's will,
this includes his powers of reason. Total depravity means that because of that
corruption, there is nothing man can do to merit saving favor with God, except
repent, and trust Jesus.
The
Bible teaches this concept of total depravity in many places. The Lord labeled men evil (Matt. 7:11). The mind is affected (Rom.
1:28; Eph. 4:18), the conscience is unclean (Heb. 9:14), the heart is deceitful
(Jer. 17:9), and by nature mankind is subject to wrath (Eph. 2:3). God sent the
flood as a judgment on mankind's depravity (Gen. 6:5). Depravity, according to
the Lord, is in the inner being and is the root of evil actions (Mark 7:20-23).
With a string of OT quotations Paul also shows it is deep-seated, universal,
and total (Rom. 3:9-18).
Arminian theology, which denies guilt of original sin
being charged against men, and it denies the loss of freedom of the will, because
men must repent, and according to Jesus, they CAN repent! Arminiaism
affirms involvement in the sin of Adam to the extent of giving mankind a
tendency toward sin, and a sinful nature.