Total Depravity

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The doctrine of Total depravity is split into two different views. There is the Calvinistic side which is total inability or total depravity, and the Arminisnistic viewpoint, which is free will or human ability (Rose). Calvinism is based on the theological beliefs and teachings by John Calvin and Arminianism is based on the views of Jacobus Arminius. We will look into what each of these subjects entail as we progress in this paper. As well as using scripture to back them up. To label yourself as either a Calvinist or Arminianist you would need to fully understand each of their doctrines. Calvinism is the belief system promoted by John Calvin. These beliefs are widely accepted as the doctrine of salvation (Rose). The idea of total depravity in the Calvinistic view is that man in his natural state is not capable to do anything to please or gain merit before God (Piper). In other words, mans free will would never choose the will of God for our lives. It has to do with original sin. Due to the fall, man himself is not able to regard the gospel or what it says. R.C. Sproul said “We are not sinners because we sin. We sin because we are sinners.” Mankind is and always will be born with a sin nature. We do not have a choice of whether or not to sin. By nature we are born spiritually dead. Colossians 2:13 states,”And you, being dead in your trespasses… He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses.” We are all born with the desire to do wrong. That being said, a desire to sin does not mean that every person is the worst that they could be (Hezekiah). We are not incapable of doing good, but without the regeneration of the Holy Spirit we cannot ourselves chose to do spiritual good (Rose). Total depravity does not ... ... middle of paper ... ...elieve? Free will, the ability for man to accept Gods Grace and pursue his own will. Or that of total depravity, mans inability to choose Gods will for his life, having to rely on God. I learned a number of things throughout this paper and I am can proudly say I believe in Calvinism. What will you label yourself? Works Cited Hezekiah, Benjamin. Total Depravity and Free Will. Anaheim: KIng&Associates, 2003. Jesus Said Follow Me. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Apr. 2014. . Piper, John. "http://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/articles/piper/depravity.html." 1998. Monergism. April 9th April 2014. Rose, Ben Lacy. T.U.L.I.P. Franklin: Providence House Publishers, 1996. Theopedia, an Encyclopedia of Biblical Christianity." Theopedia, an Encyclopedia of Biblical Christianity. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Apr. 2014. (Theopedia) (Theopedia)

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