• 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 15:59), and you will be saved.
      • But remember, after we have done all commanded of us, we are still unprofitable servants. Luke 17:10