Are Men Born Totally Depraved?

Some answer, Yes. From Luther's Small Catechism, page 87, question 94: "What is original sin? Original sin (inherited sin) is the total corruption of our whole human nature." From The Baptist Manual by E. T. Hiscox, page 60, "We believe the Scriptures teach that man was created in holiness, under the law of his Maker; but by voluntary transgression fell from that holy and happy state; in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint but choice; being by nature utterly void of that holiness required by the law of God, positively inclined to evil; and therefore under just condemnation, without defense or excuse."

"Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me" (Ps. 51:5). Does this passage teach the principles quoted above? No! It may mean that he was born into a world where sin is committed just as some are said to "hear...every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born" (Acts 2:8). They were born where a certain language was spoken. The Psalmist was born were sin was committed. Some think the passage speaks of a sin committed by his parents. One thing is certain, the Psalmist did not speak of inheriting sin. Consider a statement from Ezekiel 18:20, "The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him."

What about Paul's statement that "...by one man's disobedience many were made sinners..." (Rom. 5:19)? Does that mean we were born in sin because of Adam's transgression? No, for the rest of the statement is "...so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous." If men are made sinners unconditionally because of Adam's sin, then all men would be made righteous unconditionally because of Christ's death. Thus, we would have universal sin and universal salvation -- UNCONDITIONALLY.

"Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned" (Rom. 5:12). The death spoken of would have to be spiritual death for all men die physically because of Adam's sin (I Cor. 15:22). Notice how spiritual death comes on all men -- "...for that all have sinned." Reminds you of Ezekiel's words doesn't it? "The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father.." (Ez. 18:20).

"For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive" (I Cor. 15:22). If the death in this passage were spiritual death, then the making alive would also be spiritual. Again, you would have universal sin and universal salvation -- unconditionally. The New Testament does not teach unconditional, universal salvation. In Matthew 7:13,14, Jesus said, "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." Jesus is the author of eternal salvation to those who obey Him (Heb. 5:9). - Glenn Melton