How good is the human heart. I should first state what I mean by that.
The Catholic faith holds that, while original sin fractured the perfect body-soul unity enjoyed by our first parents and tarnished the glorious image of God that was the human person, it did not totally destroy that goodness; we are prone to sin because of our disfigurement, which we call concupiscence, but not bound to sin. This is contrasted, of course, with the views of Martin Luther and, I think, all subsequent Protestant denominations, which interpreted Sacred Scripture as teaching that the human heart/soul is totally depraved and only good when covered by the blood of Jesus. Martin Luther said that he was a “pile of dung covered with snow”–total filth made lovely only by Jesus’ sacrifice.
Now, the above distinction leads to a very long set of apologetic discussions which I will leave to my husband. Suffice it to say that I agree with the Catholic teaching and am encouraged that, while I am disfigured and prone to sin, I am inherently good and can, through cooperation with the Holy Spirit, become ever more deeply conformed to the image of Christ until I can say with St. Paul, “I live not I but Christ who lives in me”. The same is true for my precious twins, and I am seeing that inherent beauty more every day.
Today, for example, Tobias awoke too early from his nap and was quite out of sorts, and left my lap to cry in the corner. And, dear Leo picked up a domino and carried it over to Tobias as a cheerful gift. Later, Tobias glowed as he helped me carry some empty flowerpots from the backyard to our garage. His pot was chest high on his little 16-month old body, and he valiantly struggled with that pot the entire walk. My dear sons were pleased that they could bless me. They received joy from giving a gift. They are increasingly good to each other and to me, offering precious toys or making the decision to be obedient so they can see me smile. I feel like such a proud mother when I see their human nobility shine through.
Now, lest you think me a Pelagian, I must say that they also demonstrate nasty concupiscence. St. Thomas Aquinas referred to concupiscence as “kindling”, that within us which so easily falls to the hot spark of temptation, and it is very evident in my sons. How often I watch them struggle to be obedient but fall to their disordered desires. How often they look at me with understanding in their eyes and then turn their backs to me and make the wrong decision. And, how eagerly I await their baptism, that day when they will be washed clean of the original sin which burdens them and enter into the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. They are not yet brothers in Christ and not yet fully able to receive the grace which pours from the Holy Spirit.
Yet, even unwashed, they display a nobility which I have not taught them. They share with me a human patrimony that hearkens back to Adam and Eve’s glory and shame. I see in them fellow images of God, tainted and disfigured yet shining with a beauty that clearly mirrors the Light which formed them. And, I eagerly await the full flourishing of their virtue and the day when they become the men God intends them to be.
Saturday, 8. August 2009
Wondering how things are coming along with the pregnancy. Have you started your Bradley classes? Since none are available here, I am going through the student book on my own instead. I did get approved for a VBAC – YEAH!!!! Now, the Lord’s Will be done. (Although, I have made a bargain with Him; He assures a vbac, and I promise no pain medication and everything offered for the souls in purgatory. How could He resist?
Sunday, 9. August 2009
i just love them. im gonna miss watching them grow over the next year! i just know God has amazing things in store for these little men!
Monday, 10. August 2009
Hi Katie, thank you for the comments! I am enjoying my time spent here going back and forth with Devin.
This is contrasted, of course, with the views of Martin Luther and, I think, all subsequent Protestant denominations, which interpreted Sacred Scripture as teaching that the human heart/soul is totally depraved and only good when covered by the blood of Jesus.
Total depravity sounds bad. In fact many take it to mean that man has no good in him, but that is not what the doctrine teaches. I’ll admit, the label sure implies that. I am going to cut and past from the reformed.org webpage. Which will clarify some things, I hope.
“Total Depravity (Total Inability)
Total Depravity is probably the most misunderstood tenet of Calvinism. When Calvinists speak of humans as “totally depraved,” they are making an extensive, rather than an intensive statement. The effect of the fall upon man is that sin has extended to every part of his personality — his thinking, his emotions, and his will. Not necessarily that he is intensely sinful, but that sin has extended to his entire being.
The unregenerate (unsaved) man is dead in his sins (Romans 5:12). Without the power of the Holy Spirit, the natural man is blind and deaf to the message of the gospel (Mark 4:11f). This is why Total Depravity has also been called “Total Inability.” The man without a knowledge of God will never come to this knowledge without God’s making him alive through Christ (Ephesians 2:1-5).”
It is not saying that we are as bad as we could be, or that we don’t do any good. Rather, the effect of the curse, the fall of man, extends into all aspects of our being.
Here is why I think this subject is important- it address the very basis of reality- not as man sees it, but as God sees it. I want to compare myself to men such as Charles Manson and say that I am good, because relatively speaking, I am. I compare myself to Devin, and he may very well be better than I in success, having a better home, a loving wife, many beautiful children. But all of those comparisons are not the point of our faith at all. That would be using the wrong scale of comparison. Man compared to man, this one being more righteous, this one evil, this one a success, that one a bum. The Apostles clearly wanted us to understand our condition outside of Christ is utter loss, nothingness, slavery to sin, deadness in sin, no one seeking after God, not one (Romans 3). The Bible is intended to point out this reality- the only valid comparison is you to God, and you fall far short. Appreciate the mercy that He has shown to those who believe in Him. Thank you Lord!
God bless you two and the little ones! May your family continue to grow and be blessed. Don’t be mad when they grow up Protestant. wink wink.
Tuesday, 11. August 2009
Dear Garrett,
Thanks for clarifying. It looks like I confused the term “total depravity” with what Martin Luther espoused. I did not know it was particularly a Calvinist term and, having read the portions of doctrine you quote above, am pleased to say that it is not that far from the Catholic position. So, really, you only need to change your views a little to get an A+ from heaven. Wink wink right back at ya’.
Devin has informed me that Martin Luther’s position was a bit more nuanced than the way I presented it, but I definitely recall a professor (who was Protestant) in college drawing a pile of dung on the board and then drawing snow over it. Imputed righteousness, right?
With that said, I think my kerfluffle in my post shows why I am not good at apologetics. So, I am going to l bow out of this discussion right here.
Thanks again for your patience with my mixing of terms.