Does the Bible Teach the Doctrine of Total Depravity?
Closing Statement: Moses Flores
I would like to thank Nick for a great debate so far. As we move through these exchanges, I hope that any who have come across them have been blessed and inclined to study the Scriptures themselves.
Before my closing statement, I would like to address only two issues from the previous rebuttal. The first is dealing with the word elkush (translated “draw” in John 6:44) and then on the necessity to sin.
It was said that the Greek word elko does not carry the same meaning as another word suro, which is apparently a more forceful way of “drawing, or dragging.” It should be kept in mind that context always determines the way a word is understood. Appealing to a root word, doesn’t necessarily give the correct meaning for a verb that is conjugated in a different way, or a declined noun in the Greek. For instance, the use of the word eilkusan (root elko)in Acts 16:19, is used in the context of “dragging” forcefully, perhaps against their wills, Paul and Silas into the market place to be presented before the magistrates. What of the use of elkousin (root elko) in James 2:6 which reads, “…Do not the rich oppress you and drag you into the courts?”(NKJV, NASB, ESV, NIV “are dragging” ). A form of the verb is also used in John 18:10 to “draw” a sword out of its sheath – clearly there is an overpowering force on the sword which is unable to sheath itself. In Acts 21:30, Paul is “dragged” (elikon) into from the temple. So what does it mean in John 6:44? While is doesn’t have the meaning of a “physical” drawing, it does have the meaning spiritually. Thus, this drawing of God still remains effective in taking the subject, which is not able to “come to Christ”, to where God wants them (regenerated unto faith and repentance). Never once in scripture is this “drawing” resisted or unable to bring about its intended results.
In regards to the “necessity to sin,” there are several passages of Scripture that teach the inevitability, and hence, the necessity of fallen creatures to commit sin. Already quoted was Jeremiah 13:23 which says, “Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard its spots? Neither can you do good who are accustomed to do evil.” The meaning is that just as an Ethiopian cannot change his skin color or a leopard its spots, for those are theirs by nature, indeed they are defining marks, neither can fallen and sinful humanity do “good” or “righteousness” because such is contrary to our nature. Also quoted from was Job 15:15-16 in which the mean is clearly that no sinful and impure man can produce anything acceptable before God. As Isaiah stated, “all our righteousness is as filthy rags” (64:6).
If one is willing to assert that sinful and fallen men sin only “because they will,” and not “of necessity to their nature”, then one must be willing to assert that man may choose to stop sinning “at will” as well. But in the light of the passages just quoted above, I don’t see how that can ever be the case. Now, it is not denied that fallen humanity sins willfully, but it must be understood that we sin willingly out of necessity to our fallen nature.
Now in this debate there has been much lingo thrown at each other. Those reading have probably been baffled with the theological language and terms like Pelagianism, and Augustinianism, etc…But what is the real issue with the doctrine of Total Depravity? At issue is the grace of God. For how are we to understand the grace of God if it is merely defined as something given that enables men to choose of their own wills whether or not to believe in Christ or not? Doesn’t this mean that “grace” is really our opportunity to will to believe in Christ? But what happens if we don’t’ believe. Is the grace slammed back in the face of the Creator? How can this be? How can the creature be in such a position to confound the grace of God?
My friends, I submit to you that if the grace of God is viewed in such a way - that it merely restores to men their freedom to choose - then what you have is essentially God giving man the opportunity to save himself! For the grace of God is nothing, and the cross becomes nothing, without the free will of man to make it all effective.
How is there Gospel in this? The true grace of God is one that comes to sinners who are “dead in trespasses and sins” (Eph. 2:1), and “draws” these to God by “making them alive” (Eph. 2:1) and resurrecting their dead souls, which are unable to do anything spiritual. I would submit to you that the “drawing” of God is the true also grace of God. It is a redemptive grace that infallibly draws the sinner to the Father through the Son by the Spirit. The grace of God comes to unable, and thus unwilling, sinners and gives to them the life they need to truly live. That is what makes the Gospel so glorious in all ages. That is part of the good news – that while we were unwilling to serve God and unable to do come to Christ, God “draws” sinners to Himself.
It is vain to put “freedom” in the hands of man to confound the grace of the Creator. The doctrine of Total Depravity is not a friendly doctrine for it sheds the light on our true conditions – without will to serve God. But the doctrine is taught in Scripture and an integral part of the glory of the love, mercy and grace of God in the redemption of men. In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen.