56%
Confidence
Belief overview
Total depravity
The fall profoundly affects the human condition and its spiritual incapacity.
2
Supportive
0
Contrary
0
Neutral
What it is: The doctrine of total depravity affirms that sin has profoundly affected the human person in all dimensions relevant to their relationship with God.
How the religion understands: This does not mean that every human being is as evil as they could be, but that no one, by themselves, can produce saving faith or restore themselves spiritually without the grace of God.
Context: This doctrine is one of the best-known formulations of classical Reformed soteriology.
Documentary evidence
Supportive
Ephesians 2:1-3
Spiritual death before grace.
Reference: Ephesians 2:1-3.
Content: The text portrays the condition of spiritual death prior to God's saving action.
Use in debate: It is central for human inability apart from regenerating grace.
Romans 3:10-12
None is righteous by oneself.
Reference: Romans 3:10-12.
Content: Paul describes the universality of sin and the absence of autonomous human righteousness.
Use in debate: It is important for the doctrine of total depravity.