Total Depravity of Fallen Humanity in Christian Theology
The concept of total depravity of fallen humanity is a theological doctrine that asserts that, as a result of the Fall, human beings are entirely corrupted by sin and are unable to save themselves or come to God on their own [2]. This doctrine is rooted in biblical passages such as Genesis 3, Romans 5:12-19, and Ephesians 2:1-3.
The biblical narrative of the Fall in Genesis 3 describes how humanity's disobedience led to a fundamental change in human nature, resulting in spiritual death and separation from God [1]. The consequences of the Fall are far-reaching, affecting not only humanity but also the natural world (Romans 8:20-21). The doctrine of total depravity is closely tied to the understanding of original sin, which is seen as the inherited corruption and guilt resulting from Adam's transgression [7].
Different Christian traditions have articulated the doctrine of total depravity in various ways. The Lutheran tradition, as expressed in the Augsburg Confession, states that "since the fall of Adam all men begotten in the natural way are born with sin, that is, without the fear of God, without trust in God, and with concupiscence" [7]. The Reformed tradition, represented by theologians such as Charles Hodge, understands total depravity to mean that humanity is entirely corrupted by sin, but not that every individual is as wicked as they could be [4].
The Reformed and Lutheran traditions generally agree that total depravity implies that humanity is unable to save itself or come to God without divine intervention. In contrast, the Arminian or Wesleyan tradition, represented by Adam Clarke's commentary on Romans, suggests that while humanity is corrupted by sin, it is still possible for individuals to respond to God's grace and come to salvation [3].
The Catholic Church teaches that while humanity is affected by original sin, it is not entirely depraved, and that human nature retains some capacity for good [8]. The Eastern Orthodox tradition also affirms the doctrine of original sin, but understands it more in terms of the consequences of Adam's sin rather than a corruption of human nature per se.
The doctrine of total depravity has significant implications for understanding human nature, sin, and salvation. It highlights the need for divine grace and redemption, as humanity is unable to save itself. As the Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion state, "The Offering of Christ once made is that perfect redemption, propitiation, and satisfaction, for all the sins of the whole world, both original and actual" [6].
The patristic tradition also grappled with the consequences of the Fall and the nature of human depravity. Gregory Thaumaturgus and others saw the Fall as having a profound impact on the human condition, necessitating redemption through Christ [5].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Fall of man — An expression probably borrowed from the Apocryphal Book of Wisdom, to express the fact of the revolt of our first parents from God, and the consequent sin and misery in which they and all their posterity were involved. The history of the Fall is recorded in Gen. 2 and 3. That history is to be literally interpreted. It records facts which underlie the whole system of revealed truth. It is referred to by our Lord and his apostles not only as being true, but as furnishing the ground of all God's subsequent dispensations and dealings with the children of m”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Fall of Man, The — By the disobedience of Adam -- Ge 3:6,11,12; Ro 5:12,15,19. Through temptation of the devil -- Ge 3:1-5; 2Co 11:3; 1Ti 2:14. Man in consequence of Made in the image of Adam. -- Ge 5:3; 1Co 15:48,49. Born in sin. -- Job 15:14; 25:4; Ps 51:5; Isa 48:8; Joh 3:6. A child of wrath. -- Eph 2:3. Evil in heart. -- Ge 6:5; 8:21; Jer 16:12; Mt 15:19. Blinded in heart. -- Eph 4:18. Corrupt and perverse in his ways. -- Ge 6:12; Ps 10:5; Ro 3:12-16. Depraved in mind. -- Ro 8:5-7; Eph 4:17; Col 1:21; Tit 1:15. Without understanding. -- Ps 14:2,3; Ro 3:11; 1:31. ”
- Romans (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Romans 5:21: That as sin hath reigned unto death - As extensively, as deeply, as universally, as sin, whether implying the act of transgression or the impure principle from which the act proceeds, or both. Hath reigned, subjected the whole earth and all its inhabitants; the whole soul, and all its powers and faculties, unto death, temporal of the body, spiritual of the soul, and eternal of both; even so, as extensively, deeply, and universally might grace reign - filling the whole earth, and pervading, purifying, and refining the whole soul: through righteousness - through this ”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 2, section 50: certain facts of experience. Second Argument from the Entire Sinfulness of Men. This universal depravity of men is no slight evil. The whole human race, by their apostasy from God, are totally depraved. By total depravity, is not meant that all men are equally wicked; nor that any man is as thoroughly corrupt as it is possible for a man to be; nor that men are destitute of all moral virtues. The Scriptures recognize the fact, which experience abundantly confirms, that men, to a greater or less degree, are honest in dealings, kind in their”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 6: Gregory Thaumaturgus, Dionysius, Julius Africanus, Methodius, Arnobius — ELUCIDATIONS. (part 5): reversibility of the sufferings of innocence for the benefit of the guilt. As to the fall of man, "earth felt the wound;"(3), the whole creation groaneth and travaileth(4) in pain together." In this condition of things the human heart and mind have universally acquiesced in the idea of expiation.(5) . . . And as well the Gentile sacrifices (corrupted from Noah's pure original) as those which were perpetuated in their purity by the Hebrews on one spot, and looking to their only explanatio”
- Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion (Anglican) “Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion (Anglican, 1571), Section 280: The Offering of Christ once made is that perfect redemption, propitiation, and satisfaction, for all the sins of the whole world, both original and actual; and there is none other satisfaction for sin, but that alone. Wherefore the sacrifices of Masses, in the which it was commonly said, that the Priest did offer Christ for the quick and the dead, to have remission of pain or guilt, were blasphemous fables, and dangerous deceits.”
- Augsburg Confession (Lutheran) “Augsburg Confession (Lutheran, 1530), 1 Also they teach that since the fall of Adam all men begotten: 1 Also they teach that since the fall of Adam all men begotten in the natural way are born with sin, that is, without the fear of God, without trust in God, and with 2 concupiscence; and that this disease, or vice of origin, is truly sin, even now condemning and bringing eternal death upon those not born again through Baptism and the Holy Ghost.”
- Catechism of the Catholic Church (Catholic) “Catechism of the Catholic Church, Article 2 (part 1): Article 2 THE TRANSMISSION OF DIVINE REVELATION 74 God "desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth":29 that is, of Christ Jesus.30 Christ must be proclaimed to all nations and individuals, so that this revelation may reach to the ends of the earth: God graciously arranged that the things he had once revealed for the salvation of all peoples should remain in their entirety, throughout the ages, and be transmitted to all generations.31 29 1 Tim 2:4 30 cf. Jn 14:6 31 DV 7; cf. 2 Cor 1:20; 3:16 - 4:6 Previous - NextCo”