July 2014

Total Depravity 16

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus acknowledged man’s fallen condition in their unreceptive hearts to the gospel.

Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away. And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. (Luke 8:11-14 ESV)

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus acknowledged man’s fallen condition in their unreceptive hearts to the gospel.

Total Depravity 15

Jesus not only taught in the Gospel of Matthew that sinful, fallen man is deceived, spiritually sick and depraved, but He also taught that man is defiled.

And he called the people to him and said to them, “Hear and understand: it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.” Then the disciples came and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?”

Jesus not only taught in the Gospel of Matthew that sinful, fallen man is deceived, spiritually sick and depraved, but He also taught that man is defiled.

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Along with the Old Testament, the subject of radical depravity is conspicuous within the four gospels of the New Testament. The doctrine is even more critical to understand when we realize that Jesus Christ is the One teaching it. In fact, He uses the most direct of terms in evaluating sinful man’s condition.

Along with the Old Testament, the subject of radical depravity is conspicuous within the four gospels of the New Testament. The doctrine is even more critical to understand when we realize that Jesus Christ is the One teaching it. In fact, He uses the most direct of terms in evaluating sinful man’s condition. 

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As do the aforementioned Major Prophets, the Minor Prophets also articulated the reality of man’s total depravity in sin. They revealed that salvation from first to last was a work of God’s sovereign grace.

The Prophet Hosea poignantly illustrates the tendency by man to commit spiritual adultery against God. “When the LORD first spoke through Hosea, the LORD said to Hosea, Go, take to yourself a wife of whoredom and have children of whoredom, for the land commits great whoredom by forsaking the LORD” (Hosea 1:2 ESV).

As do the aforementioned Major Prophets, the Minor Prophets also articulated the reality of man’s total depravity in sin. They revealed that salvation from first to last was a work of God’s sovereign grace.

The Prophet Hosea poignantly illustrates the tendency by man to commit spiritual adultery against God. “When the LORD first spoke through Hosea, the LORD said to Hosea, Go, take to yourself a wife of whoredom and have children of whoredom, for the land commits great whoredom by forsaking the LORD” (Hosea 1:2 ESV).

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Not only did Isaiah speak of man’s radical depravity, but also the prophets Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel.

Jeremiah describes man’s depravity as:

Sensual. “If a man divorces his wife and she goes from him and becomes another man's wife, will he return to her? Would not that land be greatly polluted? You have played the whore with many lovers; and would you return to me? declares the LORD” (Jeremiah 3:1 ESV).
Senseless. “For my people are foolish; they know me not; they are stupid children; they have no understanding. They are ‘wise’—in doing evil! But how to do good they know not” (Jeremiah 4:22 ESV).

Not only did Isaiah speak of man’s radical depravity, but also the prophets Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel.

Jeremiah describes man’s depravity as:

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The prophet Isaiah communicated that sinful depravity is universal. “Why will you still be struck down? Why will you continue to rebel? The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. From the sole of the foot even to the head, there is no soundness in it, but bruises and sores and raw wounds; they are not pressed out or bound up or softened with oil” (Isaiah 1:5-6 ESV).

The prophet Isaiah communicated that sinful depravity is universal. “Why will you still be struck down?   Why will you continue to rebel? The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. From the sole of the foot even to the head, there is no soundness in it, but bruises and sores and raw wounds; they are not pressed out or bound up or softened with oil” (Isaiah 1:5-6 ESV).

Fallen man’s attempts at righteousness avail him nothing.

Total Depravity 10

Man is guilty before God. “Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD! O Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleas for mercy! If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand” (Psalm 130:1-3 ESV)?

Along with the Psalms, the Book of Proverbs also addresses the depraved heart of the covetous man. “Whoever is wicked covets the spoil of evildoers, but the root of the righteous bears fruit” (Proverbs 12:12 ESV).

Man is guilty before God. “Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD! O Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleas for mercy! If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand” (Psalm 130:1-3 ESV)?

Along with the Psalms, the Book of Proverbs also addresses the depraved heart of the covetous man. “Whoever is wicked covets the spoil of evildoers, but the root of the righteous bears fruit” (Proverbs 12:12 ESV).

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The poetical and wisdom books of the Old Testament often speak concerning man’s depravity. The Book of Job states, “Can mortal man be in the right before God? Can a man be pure before his Maker” (Job 4:17 ESV)? The answer is clearly no. This is reiterated in Job 9:2; 10:4; 25:4-6; & 32:2.

The poetical and wisdom books of the Old Testament often speak concerning man’s depravity. The Book of Job states, “Can mortal man be in the right before God? Can a man be pure before his Maker” (Job 4:17 ESV)? The answer is clearly no. This is reiterated in Job 9:2; 10:4; 25:4-6; & 32:2.

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The unconverted heart of man cannot understand the things of God. As Dr. Steven J. Lawson explains, “The Lord must give fallen man a spiritual heart to know God, spiritual eyes to see the truth, and spiritual ears to hear the truth – or there can be no salvation” (Foundations of Grace 94).

The Old Testament Historical books also teach the Doctrine of Total Depravity. From Joshua to Esther, God clearly displays man’s radical fallen condition.

The unconverted heart of man cannot understand the things of God. As Dr. Steven J. Lawson explains, “The Lord must give fallen man a spiritual heart to know God, spiritual eyes to see the truth, and spiritual ears to hear the truth – or there can be no salvation” (Foundations of Grace 94).

The Old Testament Historical books also teach the Doctrine of Total Depravity. From Joshua to Esther, God clearly displays man’s radical fallen condition.

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Aside from the Scripture passages already submitted, does the Bible contain a comprehensive presentation of the doctrine of total depravity?

The Bible’s teaching on Total or Radical Depravity is thorough and comprises all the genres found in the Scriptures. Rather than an isolated and obscure subject, the doctrine of Total Depravity comprehensively encompasses the totality of God’s Word from Genesis to Revelation.

Aside from the Scripture passages already submitted, does the Bible contain a comprehensive presentation of the doctrine of total depravity?

The Bible’s teaching on Total or Radical Depravity is thorough and comprises all the genres found in the Scriptures. Rather than an isolated and obscure subject, the doctrine of Total Depravity comprehensively encompasses the totality of God’s Word from Genesis to Revelation.

PLACE FOR TRUTH

A Greater Blessing and a Greater Kingdom

Reformation 21

Pleading for Sodom