- Total depravity
- If total depravity is disproven, all of Calvinism falls with it. The whole system is bound together.
- What it is not:
- Complete absence of good
- Belief that natural man cannot do any good before God
- What it is:
- Belief that man cannot understand spiritual good
- Belief that man cannot even desire spiritual good
- Effects of Calvinism:
- It makes God out to be a respecter of persons.
- It makes the preaching of the gospel to sinners a mockery. Mark 16:16
- Proof texts:
- Romans 5:12 – Death passed upon all because all have sinned – not because Adam sinned.
- Psalms 51:5 – This is hyperbolic language. David was not truly sinful from birth.
- Psalms 22:10; 71:6 – These prove that David was not born totally depraved.
- Ephesians 4:17-19 – The people became callous and changed their own minds.
- John 6:44-45 – People are drawn to God by His Word.
- I Corinthians 2:14
- Further proof:
- Acts 2:31 – The sinner can desire spiritual good.
- Acts 16:30
- Acts 9:6
- How can one come to God for salvation?
- One must be drawn to Him by the teaching that He has given. John 6:44-45; Romans 10:17
- There is only one source in which the teaching is found. Matthew 18:18; John 16:13; II Timothy 3:16-17
- Peter was the first to announce the terms of salvation. Matthew 16:19
- He did announce them. Acts 2:38
- Those who teach otherwise will be anathema. Galatians 1:8
- Those who obey this form of doctrine will be freed from sin and made servants of righteousness. Romans 6:16-18
- They keep pressing on (Philippians 3:13-14), walking in the light (I John 1:7), and abounding in the work of the Lord (I Corinthians 15:58), and you will be saved.
- But remember, after we have done all commanded of us, we are still unprofitable servants. Luke 17:10
JJ
November 08, 2015
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