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.

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.