My sense is that the phrase "totally deprave" is a misleading term, for although it is true an unregenerated man has no communion with God, it suggests that an unregenerated can not receive God by the grace of God-given free will, and that to me would be in error because not only was that available in the garden, but so to is it available to those who receive the cross, so there is no total depravity at all, otherwise then free-will would be something lesser than God ordained it to be in the image of God. I cannot accept that for it would lead someone to have a self-exalted stance that says "God chose me, He did not chose you". That is not right to my conscience in Christ, and then a whole theology is based on this erroneous system, which again troubles my heart for it takes the emphasis off of a loving redeeming righteous God and places it onto a God that really never offerred up free-will to come the cross as a helpless sinner and receive the Lord Jesus as Savior. When you really think about it and pray on it, you will find that the emphasis is all wrong under this reforminism and lacks the meekness, lowliness and humility that a child of God receives life from in Christ from through initial salvation to a sanctifying life.<br><br>Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. <br><br>You must accept these statements by your own free-will.

Last edited by waronthesaints; Sun Aug 17, 2003 2:23 PM.