No Total Depravity

Doctrine Theological Seminary (DTS) does NOT support Calvinism in any way, shape, or form.

We believe everyone (who is able) needs to be confronted with the Gospel and that all (who are able) have a free will choice to accept or reject Christ. 

The Earth is a stage and we are the actors who need to make one simple decision to save our souls from hell (Romans 10:13). Jesus gave His life a “ransom for all… Whereunto I am ordained a preacher,” 1 Timothy 2:6-7. Did Jesus do this to offset Adam’s sin only or for the sins of all people? Those who hold the “Adam only” position also likely believe that the sin of Adam resulted in the spiritual death of all. This is theologically problematic.

MANY believe that “man was created in the image and likeness of God, but that in Adam’s sin the race fell, inherited a sinful nature, and became alienated from God; and, that man is TOTALLY depraved, and, of himself, utterly unable to remedy his lost condition.”

IS MY DISABLED BROTHER LOST?

I have a severely mentally disabled brother who cannot talk. He can’t process any language. He has Downs Syndrome and suffered brain damage at birth. Yet, he seems complient, loving, and generally happy. Along with all aborted babies, is he lost? I know he cannot comprehend the plan of salvation. Is he a sinner in Adam? Is he totally depraved, born lost and going to hell when he dies? He’s 60 years old.

INTRODUCING ORIGINAL SIN

Original Sin doctrine means that because Adam sinned, all mankind dies spiritually, that all those who are born are born as sinners, lost, guilty, bound for hell, and totally depraved because Adam’s sin has caused condemnation on each person. They are born lost. They are born sinful, and on their way to hell and all children are unsaved. Well, there is an exception; you might be one of the lucky few who are elect to go to heaven. Is this really true?

Now, those who hold this position might cringe at the thought that everyone is born desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9). “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked…” That’s a hard pill to swallow. Is it true?

Yes, according to many churches and denominations. Over the years, theologians have debated this vigorously and have taken positions that are entrenched. This issue has separated people and caused church splits.

What does it really matter if we were born lost or not? Normal Christians go about their daily lives, they raise children, sit in church and even share the Gospel without worrying about this doctrine. Should we just ignore it and go on with our lives as if it doesn’t really matter? We could.

But those of us who preach the word usually end up taking a theological position against or for this teaching that we are born totally depraved, sinners from birth, and in need of a Savior. It makes sense, doesn’t it? So shouldn’t we just let this debate lie and leave it alone? I don’t think so. We should take another look at it and see if the Bible actually teaches this or not.

FEAR OF JOB LOSS

There are some very practical reasons pastors would want to toe the line or suffer reprimand or loss of faith community respect, possibly resulting in loss of a position of employment affecting their bread and butter.

The phrase, “Toe the line” means those “who were deemed in need of punishment for minor offences were made to stand with their toes touching the line, without talking or moving, for hours at a time in all weathers. Hence the term ‘toe the line’, means to do as one is told or behave as expected.” It’s an idiom that means to conform to a standard or rule, or do what is expected without causing trouble. So clergy are under pressure to follow church doctrinal statements or possibly lose their position. That’s probably why most don’t want to open this can of worms.

This is one reason why doctrine may divide churches, so the topic is often taboo. I have had communication with many church leaders who refuse to debate this topic and simply reject Doctrine Seminary out right. They cannot endorse a school that has “divisive doctrines“. Divisive means to cause division. This is understandable, especially when the mission statement of Doctrine Seminary emphasises confronting false doctrines.

ROLE OF BIBLE SCHOOLS

Ephesians 4:14 warns, “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of DOCTRINE, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.” Does this mean we should ignore doctrine or embrace it? I think it means to solidify doctrine. That’s what Bible schools are supposed to do.

I don’t believe that Doctrine Seminary is culpable for any of those reasons since we attempt to clarify the true Gospel and patiently confront false doctrines. I don’t remember any of my Bible teachers insisting we are born lost and that we fall under the condemnation of the curse upon Adam to propagate original sin and guilt from birth. On the contrary, the emphasis was always on Christ and His blessings, not Adam’s curse.

FALSE TEACHERS

So where do these pastors, and churches and even denominations get this teaching and how does it become so entrenched in theology and in church doctrinal statements? Obviously, there must be solid scriptural support for this. Let’s look at their point of view.

They believe …

Genesis 8, after Noah’s flood was over, (Genesis 8:21) “And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake; for the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.” First, let’s focus on the phrase “not curse the ground.” This gives us insight into the curse of Adam’s day. But the part that hits home regarding being born sinful is “the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth.” So did the curse on Adam result in spiritual death for all mankind and does this say that babies are born wicked? I think not. It says from youth. To me, that means starting at an individual’s specific age of accountability; when they first sin.

Titus 1:15-16 says that the unbelieving are in a desperate state, “to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled.” But that doesn’t apply to those who believe.

Paul, as a true Christian, in Romans 7:18 states “For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh.” We are indeed born in mortal flesh, as a result of Adam’s sin. We are born with a “Sin Nature“, a propensity to sin.

Even Isaiah 1:5-6 agrees that, “the whole head is sick.” It is true. (Romans 8:7) “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.” But are they talking about the unborn fetus, a baby in the womb, or a new born? It doesn’t appear that way. You might have to read into this to come up with that position. Sin starts in the mind since the mind controls our flesh.

Maybe 1 Samuel 24: 15-1 is talking about people being actually born evil, “As the proverb of the ancients says, ‘Out of the wicked comes wickedness.’” Is that at physical birth? Or does it say that wicked people raise kids to be wicked? To read Original Sin or Total Depravity into this verse to justify predestination to hell or Calvinism is a theological stretch. 

Maybe Psalm 51, where sinful David prays the sinner’s prayer, can straighten this out? “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.” Was this prayer of David a method of saving himself by his own strength, or was he trusting in God’s sovereign power to respond to free will? I think the latter is true.

I think most theologians would affirm that we don’t have the power to save ourselves, (Jeremiah 13:23) “Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard his spots? Then also you can do good to those who are accustomed to do evil.” But Reformers say we don’t even have the power to make a decision for Christ and God makes that decision for us. Do you see how going down this road leads to spiritual Total Depravity (TD) that results in Total Inability (TI) to even desire to become saved or say the sinner’s prayer while we are still in our sins? They say we can’t change our spots. So if we are marked for hell from birth, then there is no way out except waiting to see if God had chosen us for regeneration. That is totally backwards! 

EVIL OUTCOME

So you see where this road leads? TD leads to TI which leads to limited atonement (LA). Now are you starting to see this Calvinistic progression? Where does it end? It ends with the birth of a new theological system called Reformed or Covenant theology. That’s Calvinism, and it has been creeping into our Bible schools and seminaries over the years. That’s why I had to start Doctrine Seminary.

UNSCRIPTURAL INDOCTRINATION 

Here’s how this works: Students are impressed with the wonders of the “sovereignty” of almighty God. They are told that God alone decides who goes to heaven or hell even from before the foundation of the world. Since God cursed Adam, all die spiritually in Adam, our “Federal Head,” and all are born spiritually dead, condemned, lost, evil, and guilty in Adam. They are so wicked and evil that they will never truly want to be saved. Therefore, the sinner’s prayer won’t change God’s mind.

NO TESTIMONY 

This is why the true Calvinist has no personal testimony of receiving Christ. They had nothing to do with it. God, at an appointed time decided to act and secretly regenerate that person from reprobate to saint. Suddenly, like the power switch on a robot, the person realizes they now care about the things of God. But other than that, they have no assurance of salvation. Yet, they think they are one of the elect. Go figure! The truth is that we hear the Gospel and some decide to believe. Do you see how Reformed theology is actually “deformed”?

PSALM 51 DEBATE

Let’s take a deeper dive into the theology regarding salvation found in Psalm 51:4-6

Verse 4 states, “Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.” People sin when they are tempted and give in. The unborn and those below the age of accountability CAN’T DO THAT. Here we see that an adult or someone who is old enough to sin, recognizes their lost condition.

The psalmist David, King of Israel, explains, “Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.” Does this mean that “I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me or did she conceive me in her sinfulness? Does this verse express that “at the core we are totally depraved?” No. It says I was born into a sinful world. I was created through the sinfulnes of my mother. My parents made me in iniquity. Iniquity means sins upon sins. It dpes not say I was a sinner when I was born. It does not support Original Sin (condemnation through Adam) or Total Depravity!

Total Depravity means we are born reprobate and totally are unable to seek or see God, know God, or walk with God without Him first regenerating us.

5 “Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.”

Does this mean that David was formed in the womb by iniquity? Did sins create David? Second, it states that he was born a sinner, is that right? If we are intellectually honest, this teaching is not explicitly supported here.

 

This verse

says that an innocent baby

was born into

a sinful world.

 

The Dallas Seminary publication “Voice” posted a student interpretation as “The meaning… [I was sinful at birth] …here focuses on someone who plans deception. This verse expresses that at the core we are totally depraved.” So, Dallas Theological Seminary and many formidable Christian churches, denominations, and Bible schools and seminaries hold that this verse teaches total depravity.

6 “Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.”

Again, only someone who has moral reasoning can make that observation. No toddler can.

7 “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.”

This is a prayer of salvation (from consequences) that can only be made by a reasonable person. This is NOT talking about babies being wicked in the womb.

8 “Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.”

Again, this is being proclaimed by someone with the maturity and wherewithal to do this.

Romans 8:7 says, “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.” I don’t think that is talking about babies either. Sin is committed only by those who are capable of sin.

To be clear, according to Grace Theological Seminary’s website, here is the precise theological definition:

“Total Depravity means that the common understanding of “Free Will” is a myth. Yes, people’s actions are voluntary and not coerced by external forces. But the idea that a person can simply pick up and choose when or if he’ll follow Christ, or even that he can make any decision apart from his strongest desires is complete and total fabrication. If Total Depravity is embraced it means that the only hope for the dead heart of every human being is that it would be brought to life by the regenerative power of the Holy Spirit under the heralding of the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

 

DOCTRINE SEMINARY’S POSITION

We disagree with Dallas and Grace seminaries’ position on soteriology (salvation). The actual original sin is the first sin we commit at the age of accountability. We become lost at that moment.

MY WIFE DIED AS A CHILD

As a child, my wife enjoyed praying with her mother. One day, she took a shiny stick used to stir a drink that did not belong to her. After that, she said that her prayers would “bounce off the ceiling.” She died spiritually when she reached the age of accountability and committed her first sin. She became lost and on her way to eternal separation from God. She told her mom what had happened and her mom lovingly led her to a saving knowledge of Christ. She felt her prayers again reached heaven. She had become born again. (John 3:3) “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.“

Prior to that incident, she died and had an out of body experience.  She said she went to heaven and had to go back to earth. Before she committed her first sin, she was innocent. That’s why she went up to the light of heaven. She became lost when she first sinned and needed a Savior. She was saved at age eight and loves to share her testimony.

We believe first, then become saved. Not the other way around!

Calvinists reverse the “order of salvation” which perverts the holy work of Christ in redemption. They think we all die spiritually in Adam. It is true that in Adam all die, but all die physically, not spiritually. (1 Corinthians 15:22) “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” Does that mean all are spiritually condemned by Adam and in Christ all will be saved? But the Bible says only a few will be spiritually saved by Christ. That would make ADAM GREATER THAN JESUS! The truth is that on the cross, Jesus undid the curse of physical death upon all creation (in the Garden of Eden) as He redeemed all of creation: Colossians 1:19-20, “For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fulness dwell. And, having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to RECONCILE ALL THINGS unto Himself; by Him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.” This means Chist undid the curse of sin and death, and that all will be physically resurrected to either heaven or hell. He offers spiritual life to all who trust in Him.

Romans 5:12 makes it crystal clear that Adam did not spread spiritual death to all mankind like a disease: “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” Notice, DEATH passed to all men, NOT SIN!

Besides, the concept of not being held responsible for the sins of one’s fathers is found in several vverse in the Bible, most notably in Ezekiel 18:20, which begins with, “The soul that sinneth, it shall die.” Here the doctrine of Original Sin is debunked right off the bat. When we fitst sin, our innocence fades and our siul dies spiritually. It is the moment of personal (original) sin when we become lost. That’s why all children who die before the age of accountability go to heaven when they die. That includes all abortions.

Ezekiel continues, “The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son.” This principle is also echoed in Deuteronomy 24:16, which states, “Fathers shall not be put to death for their children, nor children be put to death for their fathers; each is to die for his own sin.” We are NOT CONDEMED TO SPIRITUAL DEATH BECAUSE OF ADAM’S SIN! Individuals will be held accountable for their own actions, not the actions of their ancestors.

There is ABSOLUTELY NO Total Depravity because according to, John 5:24, while we are lost sinners and unregenerate, we are still able to hear the Gospel and by our free will response, THEN believe and become regenerated: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on Him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”

Although we are born depraved (not totally) with a fleshly propensity to sin after the age of accountability (aallwho are able will sin) we are born spiritually innocent until proven guilty:

Psalm 139:14

“I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.”

We become sinners when we first sin (Romans 3:23 and 6:23). At that time, we come under the curse of the law as lost sinners. True, under the curse of mortality, we are depraved, but not so depraved that we can’t use our God-given brain and free will to believe in Jesus.

Total Depravity says only the elect can come to saving faith. I say, only the elect will. This is a profound soteriological doctrine (salvation teaching) and the Devil, the author of false gospels, is obviously behind

this great Total Depravity deception!

 

Let me ask you this: If the word Gospel means Good News, is it good news that you are totally depraved and since God only predestines a few to heaven, if you aren’t one of the lucky elect, you can’t be saved no matter what you pray or believe? THAT’S HORRIFIC NEWS! That’s Calvinism. Or is it Good news that Christ died for ALL and ANYONE can be saved? 

Romans 10:13…

WE CALL FIRST (WHILE UNREGENERATE) AND THEN BECOME SAVED (REGENERATED).

“For WHOSOEVER shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

 

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