56%
Confidence
Belief overview
Total depravity
The fall deeply affects the human condition and its spiritual inability.
2
Supportive
0
Contrary
0
Neutral
What it is: The doctrine of total depravity affirms that sin has deeply affected the human person in all dimensions relevant to the relationship with God.
How the religion understands it: This does not mean that every human being is as evil as possible, but that no one, by oneself, can produce saving faith or restore oneself spiritually without the grace of God.
Context: This doctrine is one of the best-known formulations of classic 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.