==Depravity======

​​Total depravity (also called radical corruption or pervasive 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 the gift of salvation as it is offered. The doctrine is advocated to various degrees by many Protestant denominations, including Lutheranism and all Calvinist churches. Arminian denominations, such as Methodists, believe and teach total depravity, but with distinct differences, the most important of which is the distinction between irresistible grace and prevenient grace.

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​Several Scriptures support the doctrine of Total Depravity. In Romans 3:10-12, the Apostle Paul writes, “There is none righteous, not even one; there is none who understands, there is none who seeks for God; all have turned aside, together they have become useless; there is none who does good, there is not even one.” Similarly, in Ephesians 2:1-3, Paul describes us as being “dead in our trespasses and sins” and were by nature “children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.” Other passages that support Total Depravity include Psalm 14:1-3, Psalm 51:5, and Jeremiah 17:9.Numerous Protestant theologians throughout history have defended Total Depravity. John Calvin, one of the most influential Reformed theologians, argued that “The whole man is overwhelmed, as it were, with a deluge of vices” and that “the mind, because of its corruption, cannot think, will, or do anything but what is sinful” (Institutes of the Christian Religion, II.2.19). Similarly, Jonathan Edwards, an 18th-century Puritan theologian, wrote that “every man is a sinner by nature, and so is in a state of total moral corruption” (Original Sin, p. 29).
Total Depravity has been compared to a dead tree. Namely, a tree cannot produce good fruit unless it has a good root system. Similarly, humans cannot produce spiritual actions when they are spiritually dead. That is, Total Depravity argues that humanity’s nature has been corrupted by sin to the extent that it is incapable of producing spiritual actions (e.g., seeing the Kingdom, repenting, and trusting in Christ) apart from the grace of God (John 3:3; John 6:44). In other words, without God’s intervention, humans are like dead trees, unable to produce spiritual fruit.  --Relearn.org 3/28/23

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Now we come to the reasons why so many reject this teaching.
It Presents a Low View of ManHuman nature loves to be coddled. It loves to be encouraged. Men and women love to be told of their self-worth, self-importance, and innate goodness.
Total Depravity destroys all of that. Rather than presenting mankind as deserving people worthy of God’s grace, it shows that men, women, boys, and girls are not only undeserving, but actually worthy of the eternal wrath of God.
God is angry with the wicked (Psalm 7:11). We like that verse when we define wicked as the political candidate we are not voting for. But we don’t like it when we realize the word “wicked” describes the state of all persons outside of Christ.
Total depravity is rejected by man because it presents a low view of man. God is not gushing over us like a high school crush but “has bent and readied his bow” because “If a man does not repent, God will whet his sword” (Psalm 7:12). It’s been a while since I’ve heard that sort of language in a contemporary worship song.  -Grace Bible Theological Seminary; 3 Reasons people reject Total Depravity: 5/21/20

Ps 51:5, 10:4, 11, 53:1-4, 58:3-5
John 3:5
Job 35:4, 15:14-16
Gen 7:21
Phil 3:19
Eph 2:3, 4:17-19
Mark 7:21-22, Matt 156:18-20
Hos 4:1-2
James 6:1
Rom 7:24, 1:28-32, 5:12
​I Cor 15:22