Romans 9, Predestination & Total Depravity
A Critique of Reformed Theology
Total Depravity: Conclusion
My conclusion is very simple. Based on the alternative interpretations that I have heretofore presented of the primary texts given in support of the Reformed doctrine of total depravity/inability – interpretations that I consider to be more consistent with the immediate contexts than the Reformed understanding I am arguing against – plus the plethora of clear, didactic passages that state that “eternal life” is the consequence of “believe”, many of which are in the immediate contexts of the passages in question, I must conclude that the Reform doctrine of total depravity/inability is in error.
Based on my reading of these passages and others, my position is that believing that Jesus rose from the dead and obedience to him as Lord is what results in eternal life, not some monergistic activity of God. Furthermore, man is able to believe, it’s easy, and it’s very near, in his heart and in his mouth. Further-furthermore, I am to call no man common or unclean. The true light that has come into the world enlightens every man. Those who believe are given the power to become sons of God. Men are not born sinners, but become sinners through their own choices, by committing specific sins. And through their own choices, men can turn from their specific sins and receive the power to become sons of God.
The idea that because of Adam’s sin all men are born sinners, and that total depravity/inability is man’s nature by default, or as John Calvin put it, “…by his [Adam’s] corruption, the whole human race was deservedly vitiated” is shown to be false, based on the immediate contexts of the texts on which that notion is based.
If total depravity is false, then Calvin’s (actually Augustine’s) notion of original sin is false, everything that derives from total depravity (that would be TULIP) is false - and the tightly woven logic of Calvinism is unraveled beyond repair.