Total Hereditary Depravity

Calvinism Exposed (1)

Total Hereditary Depravity

Calvinism is a system of theology developed by John Calvin (1509-1564). His teaching has greatly influenced denominational teaching since the days of the reformation. Calvin formulated five points in his system of theology which are commonly represented by the acrostic: TULIP. In speaking of Calvinism, Foy E Wallace once said that when this system is fully analyzed it says of conversion & salvation: If you seek it you can’t find it; if you find it, you can’t get it; if you get it, you can’t lose it; and if you lose it, you never had it.

I. The Doctrine Defined

Total Hereditary Depravity implies three things about the nature of men:

1. They are ______________, that is, caught up in and guilty of sin.

2. They are wholly, or _________________, depraved, and,

3. This sinful condition is hereditary, that is, depravity comes to each __________ ___________ from his parents.

The doctrine also teaches that man does not have the ability to choose spiritual ________ over __________.
Scriptures in efforts to prove this doctrine.

1. Romans 3:10-18; Psalm 51:5; Psalm 58:1-5; Ephesians 2:1-3; Romans 5:12-19

II. Scriptural Objections to this Doctrine

Infants are sinless at birth! They are “___________” in God’s sight.
If infants are born into sin – then the following must be true:

1. ________________ was born a sinner.

a) If total hereditary depravity is true, how could it be so that Jesus “knew no sin”? See 2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 4:15; 1 Pet. 2:22

2. God is ________________.

a) Acts 17:29 says we are the “offspring of God.”

b) Heb. 12:9 says He is the “father of spirits,” See also Eccl. 12:7

3. Children of Christians inherit a purified nature.

An Infant is born without ___________. Consider the following scriptures:

a) Ezek. 18:20; Matthew 19:14; 18:3; 2 Samuel 12:15-23

God has granted man a ____ ___ to choose whether to obey or to object.

1. Isa. 7:15-16 - as we grow up we reach an age wherein we are able to refuse evil and choose good.

God will judge each according to his _________. Ezekiel 18:25-32; 2 Corinthians. 5:9-10; Romans 14:12
Sinful deeds, as well as repentance, are actions performed by responsible _________________.

1. 1 John 3:4 – sin as a transgression of the law.

2. Rom. 6:16, 12-13 – we “yield” ourselves to sin.

3. James 1:13-15. Sin is a result of lust conceived.

_______________________ is a choice.

1. See Acts 17:30; Joel 2:12-13; Acts 2:38; 8:12

Conclusion:

A. Have you responded to God’s terms of salvation?



Calvinism Exposed (1) Total Hereditary Depravity Calvinism is a system of theology developed by John Calvin (1509-1564). His teaching has greatly influenced denominational teaching since the days of the reformation. Calvin formulated five points in his system of theology which are commonly represented by the acrostic: TULIP. In speaking of Calvinism, Foy E Wallace once said that when this system is fully analyzed it says of conversion & salvation: If you seek it you can’t find it; if you find it, you can’t get it; if you get it, you can’t lose it; and if you lose it, you never had it. I. The Doctrine Defined Total Hereditary Depravity implies three things about the nature of men: 1. They are ______________, that is, caught up in and guilty of sin. 2. They are wholly, or _________________, depraved, and, 3. This sinful condition is hereditary, that is, depravity comes to each __________ ___________ from his parents. The doctrine also teaches that man does not have the ability to choose spiritual ________ over __________. Scriptures in efforts to prove this doctrine. 1. Romans 3:10-18; Psalm 51:5; Psalm 58:1-5; Ephesians 2:1-3; Romans 5:12-19 II. Scriptural Objections to this Doctrine Infants are sinless at birth! They are “___________” in God’s sight. If infants are born into sin – then the following must be true: 1. ________________ was born a sinner. a) If total hereditary depravity is true, how could it be so that Jesus “knew no sin”? See 2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 4:15; 1 Pet. 2:22 2. God is ________________. a) Acts 17:29 says we are the “offspring of God.” b) Heb. 12:9 says He is the “father of spirits,” See also Eccl. 12:7 3. Children of Christians inherit a purified nature. An Infant is born without ___________. Consider the following scriptures: a) Ezek. 18:20; Matthew 19:14; 18:3; 2 Samuel 12:15-23 God has granted man a ____ ___ to choose whether to obey or to object. 1. Isa. 7:15-16 - as we grow up we reach an age wherein we are able to refuse evil and choose good. God will judge each according to his _________. Ezekiel 18:25-32; 2 Corinthians. 5:9-10; Romans 14:12 Sinful deeds, as well as repentance, are actions performed by responsible _________________. 1. 1 John 3:4 – sin as a transgression of the law. 2. Rom. 6:16, 12-13 – we “yield” ourselves to sin. 3. James 1:13-15. Sin is a result of lust conceived. _______________________ is a choice. 1. See Acts 17:30; Joel 2:12-13; Acts 2:38; 8:12 Conclusion: A. Have you responded to God’s terms of salvation?