Radical Depravity Flashcards
(Def) Radical Depravity
Since the Fall, humans are enslaved to sin and by nature bent toward evil in every part.
Implication 1
Human beings are not “basically good.”
That’s Pelagianism.
Implication 2
Not sinners because we sin, we sin because we’re sinners.
Implication 3
Fallen, unregenerate people are by nature inclined toward sin, unbelief, and denial.
Implication 4
Fallen, unregenerate people will never freely choose to embrace Jesus Christ as Savior.
Implication 5
No fallen person can be saved without initial divine grace.
ie. grace is necessary.
Implication 6
Divine grace precedes the human response to the gospel.
Not merely external (objective work of Christ), but must bring substantial internal changes.
Implication 7
Pelagianism and Semi-Pelagianism are false.
Both declared heretical by councils.
What is the human response to the gospel?
Faith and repentance.
Misunderstanding 1
“Fallen, unregen people have no good in them and never do good things.”
Would be true if God not restrain sin through common grace.
Misunderstanding 2
“Fallen, unregen people have no knowledge or understanding of God.”
Rom. 1 - People have sufficient knowledge from general revelation to know that God exists and deserves worship, but not have any true knowledge of God.
Misunderstanding 3
“Fallen, unregen people have no spiritual interest in God or Jesus”
No genuine interest.
Theological Basis
- Sola Gratia (saved by grace alone).
- Must be unable to contribute to our salvation by our own efforts.
- Must be radically depraved.
Objection 1
“Gandhi was good even though he wasn’t a Christian.”
God is concerned about the root, the motive of our heart from which flow our words, actions, and thoughts
Objection 2
“If unbelievers not able to respond to the gospel, no point preaching it.”
- Preaching is necessary, but not sufficient
- Special grace is necessary
