1. INHERENT DEPRAVITY Examining the Doctrine of Inherited Sin

2. The Doctrine of Inherited Depravity • Popular views regarding depravity: “Original sin, then, may be defined as hereditary corruption and depravity of our nature, extending to all parts of the soul, which first makes us obnoxious to the wrath of God, and then produces in us works which in Scripture are termed works of the flesh.”

3. The Doctrine of Inherited Depravity • Popular views regarding depravity: "We believe that through the disobedience of Adam original sin is extended to all mankind; which is a corruption of the whole nature and a hereditary disease, wherewith even infants in their mother's womb are infected…”

4. The Doctrine of Inherited Depravity • Popular views regarding depravity: “The guilt of Adam's sin is imputed to us. Because he sinned as our representative, we are guilty in him. Moreover, we also inherit his pollution, and now have a positive disposition toward sin. Man is by nature totally depraved.”

5. The Doctrine of Inherited Depravity • Popular views regarding depravity: “We believe that all persons are born with a sinful nature and that God’s remedy for man’s ruin is entirely of grace through one’s transferral [sic] of trust to Jesus Christ.”

6. The Doctrine of Inherited Depravity • Popular views regarding depravity: “By nature, man is wicked and corrupt. All are under sin. Romans 3:10 proves that all are alike under sin in an unregenerate condition.”

7. The Doctrine of Inherited Depravity • Common Threads: • The sin of Adam is transferred to individuals. • Because of his sin, we are born sinful. • Not only are individuals born sinful, we enter this world “wicked and corrupt” (LBT) or “totally depraved” (Berkhof).

8. The Doctrine of Inherited Depravity • Understanding “Total Depravity” “The sinner is dead; spiritually dead. He comes into this world from his mother a spiritual still-born. He is not sick. He is not afflicted with a malady or a disease no matter how fatal. He is dead… What does this mean? This means that his nature is so thoroughly corrupted by sin that it is incapable of producing anything good. There is nothing which the sinner can do which is pleasing in the sight of God. His heart is dead.”

9. The Doctrine of Inherited Depravity • Understanding “Total Depravity” • Is not simply another way of saying “born tainted with Adam’s sin.” • States that we enter this world utterly separated from God. • Affirms that man can do no good whatsoever in this state (spiritual, moral, or otherwise). • Requires God to send His Holy Spirit to regenerate a person, thus resolving the depraved state.

10. The Doctrine of Inherited DepravityIs it biblical? • Does man enter this world a sinner? • Ezekiel 18:4; Matthew 19:14 • Does man require the Holy Spirit to directly work upon him to be saved? • Ephesians 5:26 • If so, why some lost? Mt. 23:37; 2 Pet. 3:9 • Is man completely incapable of any good prior to a “direct operation of the HS”? • Acts 10:4

11. The Bible on Sin and Birth: • I am only held accountable for my sins. • Ezekiel 18:20; 2 Corinthians 5:10 • Children are innocent. • Isaiah 7:16; Jeremiah 19:4; Matthew 18:3 • Jesus Christ died for everyone. • 1 John 2:1-2 • We are saved, not by a direct operation of the Holy Spirit, but by a conscious decision to accept Christ on His terms. • John 14:23-24; Colossians 2:11-12