Original Sin vs. Total Depravity
It seems to me that there’s a lot of confusion amongst people – Protestant and Catholic – about what the two are. That’s understandable – they are a bit muddled. This is because the theology Total Depravity builds on top of the theology of Original Sin.
The theology of Original Sin says simply one thing: Adam’s sin has removed mankind from the grace of God’s presence – from communion with God. The theology of Total Depravity says two things more: Adam’s sin has perverted mankind and destroyed mankind’s freedom. The theology of Original Sin can lead you towards a theology similar to Total Depravity, but it won’t lead you all the way there. At some point, you have to take the theology of Total Depravity on faith.
So, instead of doing all of this now, I intend to develop the differing theologies over a few posts. Hopefully this will help clarify some of the language I see folks using in talking about their theologies/faith as well as further educate myself on these particulars of faith and my abilities to communicate them.
Total Depravity doesn’t destory man’s freedom. It simply says he is not free to do such things that would be pleasing to God.
freedom is the faculty of being able to be obedient or not. if mankind cannot be obedient, then freedom is destroyed. more on this later. working on a piece just on original sin right now.
if mankind cannot be obedient, then freedom is destroyed
I really would like to know what that is such an outrageous proposition. Looking forward to your post.
edit: why