The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Total Depravity

1. Total Depravity = EVERYTHING that fallen man does in his natural; unregenerate state is governed by a hatred of God and all that is good. So, every thought, word, and deed is sinful.

2. Utter Depravity = IF the natural man was left to himself, without any restraint by the Spirit of God, then mankind would annihilate itself instantly.

It is very important to make the distinction, for all the benefits which fallen man within societies are REAL for God has deemed it good that even the wicked receive His benevolence and thus are obligated to repent and believe upon Christ unto justification and worship the one true God. (Titus 3:4 where the word "love" in the Greek is actually philanthropos from which we get our English word philanthropy, i.e., to do good, to show kindness, etc.) and Rom 2:4. Perhaps I can illustrate the importance of the distinction via a human pericope? A well known theologian in the 1900's was give a hypothetical situation where during the winter if his truck slid off the road and was stuck. And, his unregenerate neighbor "happened along" and pulled his truck out of the snow bank. The question then was asked if the neighbor did a "good thing"? And further, would he thank the man for helping him? The answer by this scholar/theologian was a most definite, "NO!" to both the questions. He refused to acknowledge that even the reprobate could to "relative good", i.e., acts of benevolence or kindness as God clearly does for all mankind (Matt 5:44ff).

To sum up, then... There is inherently NO Good in fallen men since the Fall when judged according to God's holy law. Without the restraining work of the Spirit of God, fallen man would immediately become utterly depraved and his true infinite wickedness would be displayed. And, the unregenerate are by nature under the just wrath of God and liable to eternal damnation UNLESS, God from eternity has determined to show mercy and bestow grace, whereby the Spirit regenerates their spiritually dead souls and brings them to repentance and faith in the Lord Christ, which is exactly the case with the elect (Rom 8:39,40; Eph 1:3-23; 2:1-5; Titus 3:3-7).

Did I answer all your questions to you satisfaction? Or, do I need to expand a bit more or whatever?