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The Doctrine of Total Depravity

Question:

What is "utter depravity?" Is it a Protestant teaching?

Answer:

The Protestant doctrine of total (or utter) depravity holds that man is so wounded by original sin that he is incapable of doing any good at all—or at least not able to do good works that impact his eternal salvation. This doctrine is based on Martin Luther and John Calvin’s reading of Romans 3:10-12, even though St. Paul cites therein a number of Psalms and a passage from Isaiah in which the righteous and the wicked are distinguished, thereby indicating that Paul is not speaking absolutely regarding mankind’s depravity but means that has sin taken hold of God’s people and not just the world in general.

In that sense Paul uses hyperbolic language to emphasize the pervasiveness of sin and that all are in need of a Savior. In addition, there are other passages in Paul, including in Romans 1 and 2 no less, which convey that man is able to choose between good and evil and that our choices impact our salvation. And there are similar New Testaments passages elsewhere, including Jesus’ various teachings in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7).

The doctrine of total depravity is addressed in detail by Tim Staples.

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