Chapter 8: Total Depravity Flashcards
Who was Jacob Arminius?
• A student of Theodore Beza
• after his death, his followers put together a protest against the reformation.
- specifically they criticized Calvin’s doctrine on sovereignty in relation to election and human freedom.
• followers developed 5 points of criticism against the reformed church.
What was the Synod of Dort?
The synod of Dort was a response by the reformed church to the Arminian five Articles of Remonstrance.
Developed five points now recognized as TULIP that emphasize how the doctrine of God shapes everything, especially the Doctrines of man, Christ, and salvation.
How can we respond to Article 2 of the “Five Articles” which claims Christ died for all men?
It states Christ died for all but not all enjoy salvation.
• this is an ineffectual grace.
• double punishment because the sinner who does not accept Christ takes on additional punishment in hell.
How can we respond to Article 1 of the “Five Articles”?
The first article talks about God predestining those who believe and persevere.
• it is contingent on those who persevere to the end as part of a foreseen faith.
What is prevenient grace?
Prevenient grace is a doctrine that allows us to accept or reject God.
Article 3 of the Remonstrance details a faith that comes from God through the Holy Spirit,
But…
Article 4 states this grace is “not irresistible.”
It readies the person to respond to the gospel if they want it.
What do we mean when we talk about God’s “permissive will”?
This is in regard to the fall of man.
It refers to the notion that God allows something that is contrary to his law.
God allows our disobedience in order to display the brilliance of his mercy against the backdrop of his holiness and wrath.
• permissive will is generally understood within the context of the more broad “decretive will.”
What do we mean when we talk about God’s “decretive will”?
This refers to the perfect and wise counsel of God in freely ordaining or decreeing whatsoever comes to pass.
•God perfectly and wisely ordains all things.
• Ephesians 1:11
Describe God’s “preceptive will.”
This represents the moral standards that God requires of all people.
•It is his precepts or law.
God’s precepts will tell us what he demands of us as his image bearers.
(Enshrined in the Ten Commandments)
What does it mean when we talk about God’s “dispositional will”?
This is God’s will of good pleasure.
It has two parts:
1. The pleasure of God in ordaining his sovereign decree.
- The pleasure of God when we obey him and his displeasure when we disobey.
What are the 4 types of wills we identify in God?
- Permissive will
- Decretive will
- Preceptive will
- Dispositional will
Note that each of these is part of God’s divine will.
What is original sin?
Original sin refers to the sin of our first parents and the imputation of its guilt and corruption to us.
How is original sin imputed to Adams posterity?
Original sin is imputed to all mankind through or by ordinary generation.
An important distinction is that it is BY ordinary generation, not BECAUASE of ordinary generation.
*** sinful parents produce sinful children.
Sex or procreation is not in view.
How can we describe our freedom to choose as fallen beings?
We are born in a state in which our inclination is to do what God forbids.
• Our will May be free, but it is only free to act in accordance with its nature, which is sinful.
In what four ways is Total Depravity “Total”?
- Sin affects every aspect of our being; body and soul.
- Sin totally isolated us from God.
- Sin makes us entirely incapable of saving ourselves.
- Sin totally deserves eternal punishment.
What is the definition of Total Depravity?
Total Depravity teaches that every individual is by nature sinful and in rebellion against God and therefore are unable to make amends with him.
Note: it does not mean that we are as bad as we could possibly be.
