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Do you affirm the doctrine of total depravity? Historically, this has been the only point of agreement between Reformed and Arminian believers -- a belief that man is fully dead in his trespasses and cannot of his own choice come to God, but requires either efficacious (Calvinism) or prevenient (Arminianism) grace to be able to respond to and receive the gift of salvation. I was really surprised to learn recently that several conservative Baptists began denying total depravity in the 20th century, and that made me curious about the beliefs here.

My own views coincide with those of the early church prior to Augustine. Though I deny Augustine's view of sin as a material substance passed down via sexual intercourse, and though I unequivocally affirm the moral responsibility (freewill) of each person for his own sins, and while I believe Pelagius was unfairly characterized by Augustine and Augustinians, I cannot affirm the Pelagian or semi-Pelagian view that man can make the first steps towards God apart from grace. I also cannot affirm the Augustinian-Calvinist view of depravity, which makes sin something primarily physical (usually described as a sinful nature) which makes sinfulness something inborn, involuntary and inevitable.

Sorry if I was unclear...

I affirm freewill, that all are morally responsible for their moral decisions and will be judged accordingly, unless they receive the forgiveness of sins offered through the redeeming blood of Jesus Christ by repentance and faith in Him. I further affirm that repentance is necessary for forgiveness of sins, and that each and every sin must be repented of in order to be forgiven.I affirm that salvation is by grace through faith, not of works, lest any man should boast, while also affirming that faith that does not issue in works/action is dead, being alone. I affirm that the grace of God works preveniently in sinful man, not by restoring freewill, but instead by means of moral persuasion as opposed to coercion.

Thanks for the response, QW!

How do you figure? Total has a specific meaning in this context, as does depravity.

I seem to remember a portion of something I read some years ago. I am unsure where I read it, but it may have been a book by Dr. Donald Bowdle. In essence it said that in the fall man became totally depraved due to the fact that he was affected in every part. In the fall, the image of God in man was effaced, but not erased. The shadow of the image of God remaining in man is what makes man capable of moral good (that would be unregenerated individuals)

Humanity can actually live up to

Bump!