Total Depravity is the teaching that humans are wholly sinful. We are enslaved to our sinful nature; our minds, body and soul are tainted by sin. Because of this sinfulness, we are incapable of choosing God’s will over our own. It is only by God choosing us that we would ever receive Him. This teaching forms one of the five points of Calvinism.
It‘s important to note that total depravity does not mean that humans are as wicked or evil as they could be. We are capable of much worse than we do. Indeed, many that don’t believe in God will perform acts that are outwardly good. But all acts that do not proceed from faith are sinful.
Read my post about Calvinism to find out more on the five points, or, continue reading for more on total depravity.
Merits of Total Depravity
Since total depravity is based on the teaching that humans are sinful and incapable of choosing God, it needs to be supported with compelling scriptural evidence of these points. Also, since we can see that non-believers are capable of good without God, it also makes a claim that morally good behaviour is not the same as sinlessness.
Therefore, the evidence for total depravity can be broken down into four key areas:
Evidence of our sinful nature
Evidence for morally good vs. sinfulness
Evidence that we are incapable
Evidence God initiates and not us
Evidence of our Sinful Nature
The bible talks about sin extensively, but total depravity is not simply that we sin. Rather, that we are incapable of acting in any other way.
The below verses show that the heart of mankind is deceitful, sick, unrighteous and not desirous of God. Our preference from birth is totally wicked, evil and destined for the ways of death:
The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
Genesis 6:5 ESV
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? “I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.”
Jeremiah 17:9-10 ESV
Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.
Psalm 51:5 ESV
And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.
John 3:19 ESV
What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.”
Romans 3:9-12 ESV
Evidence for morally good vs. sinfulness
Total depravity makes a distinction between acting in a way that is morally good, such as helping others, from being sinful before God. Our experience tells us that people can, and often do, behave in a way that is morally good.
Since our experience of the world is that other people, believers and unbelievers, can behave in a way that is good; total depravity needs to show that behaving in a morally good way is distinct from behaving in a sinless way. If total depravity cannot prove that, then our own experience would suggest humans are not totally depraved, but capable of good.
There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.
Proverbs 14:12 ESV
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.
Romans 1:18-23 ESV
But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.
Romans 14:23 ESV
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
Hebrews 11:6 ESV
Evidence we are incapable
One of the major criteria for total depravity is the claim that we are incapable to choose God, or remain sinless by default. Our every decision is tainted by sin, and only by God’s action can we be saved. For this reason Total Depravity is sometimes referred to as Total Inability.
The below verses show us that all are unclean, unrighteous, not desiring God, incapable of pleasing God, and only ever acting in a way that is in-line with our sinful nature:
We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. There is no one who calls upon your name, who rouses himself to take hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us, and have made us melt in the hand of our iniquities.
Isaiah 64:6-7 ESV
So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit.
Matthew 7:17-18 ESV
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
Romans 8:5-8 ESV
For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
1 Corinthians 1:18 ESV
The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.
1 Corinthians 2:14 ESV
Evidence we require God
The final evidence that total depravity needs to put forward is that God’s action is essential for salvation. It cannot be the case that the world is totally depraved, but capable to choose God without intervention.
The verses below show us that God’s plan for salvation is eternal, he starts that work. Access to the Father is through the Son, and only to whom the Son chooses. These verses demonstrate that even though we respond to God, it is a response to His action and not our independence:
At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”
Matthew 11:25-27 ESV
Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
John 8:34-36 ESV
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me,is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.
John 10:27-30 ESV
And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved
Ephesians 2:1-5 ESV
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
1 Peter 1:3-5 ESV
Arguments against Total Depravity
Clearly, there are many verses that support total depravity. However, the strength of an argument can be assessed not only by the evidence in favour for it, but also the strength of any evidence against it. Therefore, it is worth also examining any verses that may stand contrary to the teaching.
There are several proofs required to overturn total depravity. There must be free will in a general sense, a desire or ability to choose God, and evidence that salvation is possible by another way.
Here are the key pieces of evidence that can be leveraged against total depravity:
Evidence that we have free will
Evidence that we choose God
Evidence that we're not totally depraved
Evidence that we have free will
The bible keeps free will and predestination in tension with one another. While there are several verses that make clear an eternal plan and predestined outcome, it has a plethora of examples where humans make choices. From Adam and Eve in the garden, to Judas betraying Jesus - humans demonstrate choices.
It's important to also remember that humans are not compelled by God to love Him. That truth is essential in our love being genuine, not forced. We cannot on one occasion say that God gives us free will so that we can love him, while also denying free will exists. Either we have free will to choose, or we do not.
With that said, here are several verses that demonstrate humans choose and have choices before them:
So Lot chose for himself all the Jordan Valley, and Lot journeyed east. Thus they separated from each other.
Genesis 13:11 ESV
“If a man is righteous and does what is just and right—if he does not eat upon the mountains or lift up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, does not defile his neighbor's wife or approach a woman in her time of menstrual impurity, does not oppress anyone, but restores to the debtor his pledge, commits no robbery, gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with a garment, does not lend at interest or take any profit, withholds his hand from injustice, executes true justice between man and man, walks in my statutes, and keeps my rules by acting faithfully—he is righteous; he shall surely live, declares the Lord God.
Ezekiel 18:5-9 ESV
You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion is not from him who calls you.
Galatians 5:7-8 ESV
Evidence that we can choose God
Not only does the Bible demonstrate that we have an ability to choose how we live, but also that the commandments are not too hard for us. The implication seems to be that humans are capable of choosing God and behaving in a manner that is blameless and righteous.
In the story of Job we have an example of a man that God refers to as blameless and upright, who feared him and turned away from evil. Job certainly seems to demonstrate both an ability to choose God, and ultimately reject Him. However, that's what you would expect in a world where free will is available. The choice to follow God needs to be a continual one, not a one-off.
I will multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and will give to your offspring all these lands. And in your offspring all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because Abraham obeyed my voice and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.”
Genesis 26:4-5 ESV
“For this commandment that I command you today is not too hard for you, neither is it far off. It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will ascend to heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’
Deuteronomy 30:11-13 ESV
There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil.
Job 1:1 ESV
And the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?”
Job 1:8 ESV
By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.
Hebrews 11:24-25 ESV
Evidence we're not totally depraved
Not only does the Bible clearly support free will to choose, but it also presents some examples of those that did choose God and were taken to Heaven.
There are two accounts of believers that are taken to heaven. The first example is in Genesis and deals with a man named Enoch, the second is in 2 Kings when Elijah is taken up to Heaven in a whirlwind. These two men had both demonstrated an ability to follow God and received salvation as a reward.
Enoch walked with God after he fathered Methuselah 300 years and had other sons and daughters. Thus all the days of Enoch were 365 years. Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him.
Genesis 5:22-24 ESV
By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God.
Hebrews 11:5 ESV
And as they still went on and talked, behold, chariots of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
2 Kings 2:11 ESV
Final Remarks:
Total depravity has a wealth of arguments in support of the doctrine. As well as being numerous, the supporting verses are clear, making the doctrine hard to refute.
Certainly according to the Bible we are sinful beings. This sinfulness starts from birth and perseveres until death. Even what appears morally good to us are filthy garments before God and our wicked hearts guide us towards sin and death.
Furthermore, God's redemption plan does appear to be eternal. The choice to reveal himself seems through Jesus to be with Him, not with us. Even those spared death in the Old Testament seem to have received the gift of faith to do so.
All of these truths guide us to the conclusion that humans are totally incapable without God.
But to the credit of any opposition, there are examples of humans demonstrating free will both in a general sense and choosing the way of God over sin. This choice appears to be continuous and not without error along the way.
Likewise, the Law seems to not only permit human choice, but it would be required for fulfilment. A law that was intended for salvation but could not be kept would be a cruel law.
But Paul writes that salvation comes by hearing with faith, not by law. If Abraham was promised that salvation would come by his offspring as a promise, it does not come by everyone and by law. Thus he states that the Law is a guardian and tutor until the coming of Christ. Its purpose was to discipline and protect Israel, not save it.
With that said, it is a human doctrine as opposed to a revealed doctrine. There may be flaws with how it is articulated, but the thrust of the Bible seems to lend itself towards humans being totally depraved. Therefore, I fall on the side of human incapability to choose God without God choosing us.
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