Romans 9, Predestination & Total Depravity
A Critique of Reformed Theology
Total Depravity - Introduction
The doctrine of Total Depravity, also known as Absolute Inability, Radical Corruption, or Total Corruption, is stated thusly by John Piper:
"When we speak of man's depravity we mean man's natural condition apart from any grace exerted by God to restrain or transform man.
Man's depravity is total in at least four senses.
(1) Our rebellion against God is total. 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.
(2) In his total rebellion everything man does is sin.
(3) Man's inability to submit to God and do good is total.
(4) Our rebellion is totally deserving of eternal punishment."
The paper from which this quote is taken can be accessed here if you want a more complete exposition from a Calvinist point of view.
Another way it is stated is: Man is spiritually dead by nature from birth and, apart from any activity of God on his behalf, is unable and unwilling to respond to God in any way other than rebellion and denial. Man must be "regenerated" or "born again" (which is a monergistic activity of God) BEFORE he is capable of responding positively towards God.
The Wikipedia entry for Total Depravity states it thusly:
Total depravity is the fallen state of human beings as a result of original sin. The doctrine of total depravity asserts that people are, as a result of the fall, not inclined or even able to love God wholly with heart, mind, and strength, but rather are inclined by nature to serve their own will and desires and to reject the rule of God. Even religion and philanthropy are wicked to God because they originate from a selfish human desire and are not done to the glory of God. Therefore, in Reformed theology, if God is to save anyone God must predestine, call, or elect individuals to salvation since fallen man does not want to, and is indeed incapable of choosing God.
John Calvin spoke of it in this way:
"We thus see that the impurity of parents is transmitted to their children, so that all, without exception, are originally depraved. The commencement of this depravity will not be found until we ascend to the first parent of all as the fountainhead. We must, therefore, hold it for certain, that, in regard to human nature, Adam was not merely a progenitor, but, as it were, a root, and that, accordingly, by his corruption, the whole human race was deservedly vitiated" (Institutes Book 2 Chap 1 Section 6).
As can be inferred from the Calvin quote above ("originally depraved"), and is explicitly stated in the quote from Wikipedia, the doctrine of Total Depravity is derived from the doctrine of Original Sin.
The doctrine of Original Sin teaches that all men inherit Adam's guilt - Adam's guilt is imputed to all his descendants - and so all men are sinners from their conception, by nature. Some speak of a "sin nature" that is the inheritence of all as a result of Adam's disobedience.
John Calvin said,
Original sin, therefore, seems to be a hereditary depravity and corruption of our nature, diffused into all parts of the soul, which first makes us liable to God's wrath, then also brings forth in us those works which Scripture calls "works of the flesh" (Gal 5:19). And that is properly what Paul often calls sin. The works that come forth from it – such as adulteries, fornications, thefts, hatreds, murders, carousings – he accordingly calls "fruits of sin" (Gal 5:19–21), although they are also commonly called "sins" in Scripture, and even by Paul himself. (The Institutes of the Christian Religion, II.1.8, LCC)
It is possible to hold to Original Sin and yet deny Total Depravity, as do the Catholics. However, if the doctrine of Original Sin can be refuted then Total Depravity necessarily falls.
Total Depravity is the subject at hand, but my strategy is to also refute the notion of Original Sin, that is, that every human being inherits a "sin nature" because of Adam's fall.
No Original Sin, no Total Depravity.