Total Depravity with Matt Slick, Part 1

Calvinism's concept of "Total Inability" posits that due to the spiritual degradation of humanity after Adam and Eve, humans are incapable of desiring or doing good, rendering them spiritually disabled and unable to follow any spiritual command or accept Christ without divine intervention. This teaching challenges the idea of a loving God who grants good gifts, including salvation, countering the notion that God would selectively choose only some individuals for salvation while others are condemned, emphasizing the contradiction in reconciling God's unilateral selection with His described nature of unfailing love.

Calvinist teachings suggest that Adam and Eve's sin led to a condition known as "Total Inability," where humans are inherently unable to choose good or pursue God, a concept critics argue lacks explicit biblical support as the Scriptures do not directly convey a hereditary curse of moral corruption. This interpretation questions widely-held assumptions about Original Sin and challenges the notion that humanity's nature became entirely corrupted and perpetually resistant to God as a consequence of the Fall, with critics citing the absence of explicit biblical evidence for such an irreversible transformation of human nature.

The teaching explores the lack of biblical evidence supporting the Calvinistic notion that Adam was created morally perfect and lost this perfection through sin, leading to total corruption and an inherent inability to seek God. It challenges the assumption, rooted in Augustinian and Calvinist traditions, by examining scriptural references and questioning the presuppositions that form the foundation of such doctrines in systematic theology.

Shawn challenges the doctrine of Total Inability, arguing it contradicts the justice of God, who commands humanity to believe and repent when, according to Calvinist views, individuals are incapable of doing so due to inherent sinfulness. Citing biblical examples, Shawn suggests that commands given in the scripture, such as those delivered by Moses and Joshua, imply that people have the capacity to obey and make choices, indicating a partial rather than total inability to respond to God’s calls.

The teaching critiques the Calvinist doctrine of Total Inability, arguing that biblical texts suggest humans possess the capacity to respond to God, contradicting the idea that people are born entirely incapable of seeking or understanding God without an effectual divine call. Biblical references show instances where Jesus and Scripture highlight human agency and accountability, implying that spiritual hardness is a result of personal choices rather than an inherent condition from birth.

Shawn argues against the Calvinist interpretation of "Total Inability," suggesting that biblical passages often cited to support this view, such as Romans 3 and 1 Corinthians 2:14, do not actually depict human beings as incapable of seeking God or responding to spiritual matters. Instead, he posits that the Bible portrays God's drawing power as occurring through the teaching and preaching of His Word, thus enabling all to seek Him, contrary to the belief that only a miraculous divine intervention can overcome human incapability.

Human responsibility and the ability to choose are central themes in understanding the concept of being "dead in sin," which implies a future punishment due to unresolved sin, rather than the impossibility of responding to God. This interpretation challenges views like Calvinism by emphasizing that scripture supports a perspective of personal accountability and the enduring love of God, ultimately leading to the reconciliation of all souls to Him.

The teaching emphasizes personal responsibility for one's actions, stating that individuals are judged based on their own righteousness or wickedness, not for their ancestors' sins, and encourages repentance and obedience to lead a righteous life. It highlights that turning away from wrongdoing and embracing what is lawful and right can lead to life and redemption, as God desires individuals to choose life and live justly.