Total depravity is a Protestant theological doctrine derived from the concept of original sin. It teaches that, as a consequence of the Fall, every person born into the world is enslaved to the service of sin as a result of their fallen nature and, apart from the efficacious (irresistible) or prevenient (enabling) grace of God, is completely unable to choose by themselves to follow God, refrain from evil, or accept salvation. In this post, we will explore why this doctrine of total depravity is false.
In a previous post, There is no original sin to justify your sins, we explored more about the false doctrine of original sin. Excluding Paul and his letters which we don’t believe, there is no reference in Scriptures to support the doctrine of original sin.
Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me.
Ps 51:5
The above verse is mostly quoted to justify original sin but often forget that David is referring to his mother Tamar (Gen 38:13-30) and David is the 10th generation which he cannot even enter the assembly of God as per the law (Deut 23:2). Without original sin, it is not possible to derive the doctrine of total depravity.
Did Jesus teach Total Depravity?
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” When His disciples heard [it,] they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” But Jesus looked at [them] and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Matt 19:23-26
Some quote the above verse to prove total depravity. Before we proceed, we must fully understand that man does not have eternal life with which he can save himself. It is Jesus who will give us eternal life (John 10:28).
The above passage of the rich man and Jesus doesn’t say anything about total depravity. If all things are possible by God, why didn’t God save the rich man? The point is, it is possible for man to give away everything he has as verses 27-29 mentions. It is not his inability to reject riches to follow Christ but rather he doesn’t want to loose riches for the sake of following Christ. As Matt 19:22 says, he went sorrowful.
He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.
Matt 10:37-38
Jesus teaching us to love Him more than our parents and children is not about our inability to do so but rather a requirement to become worthy of Him. Only the worthy will attain the next age and the resurrection from the dead (Luke 20:35).
Totally Deprived to enter Kingdom of God?
“But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go, work today in my vineyard.’ “He answered and said, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he regretted it and went. “Then he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said, ‘I [go,] sir,’ but he did not go. “Which of the two did the will of [his] father?” They said to Him, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before you. “For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him; but tax collectors and harlots believed him; and when you saw [it,] you did not afterward relent and believe him.
Matt 21:28-32
When John came in the way of righteousness, are the tax collectors totally depraved with inability to believe in him to receive the baptism of repentance? Absolutely not. We must always do the will of the Father and we aren’t totally depraved with inability to believe or come to Him. In the above passages, Jesus isn’t excusing the chief priests and the elders for their inability to believe in John and enter the kingdom but rather accusing them for not believing in John.
Conclusion
Total depravity is derived from original sin. Since we already proved that original sin is a false doctrine, the doctrine of total depravity naturally falls away. Jesus never taught total depravity. He never taught about entering the narrow gate and walking the difficult path to show about man’s inability to do so but rather a requirement for everyone who desires to enter life. Do you want to enter life? Then obey the teachings of Jesus and don’t believe in the lie of total depravity.
