The Five Points of Calvinism |
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(TULIP) |
Total depravity |
Unconditional election |
Limited atonement |
Irresistible grace |
Perseverance of the saints |
|
Conditional election |
Unlimited atonement |
Total depravity |
Prevenient grace |
Conditional preservation |
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Total depravity (also called radical corruption[1] or pervasive depravity) is a Protestant theological doctrine derived from the concept of original sin. It teaches that, as a consequence of the Fall, every person born into the world is enslaved to the service of sin as a result of their fallen nature and, apart from the efficacious (irresistible) or prevenient (enabling) grace of God, is completely unable to choose by themselves to follow God, refrain from evil, or accept the gift of salvation as it is offered.
The doctrine is advocated to various degrees by many Protestant denominations, including Lutheranism[2][3][4] and all Calvinist churches.[5][6][7][8] Arminian denominations, such as Methodists, believe and teach total depravity, but with distinct differences,[9][10] the most important of which is the distinction between irresistible grace and prevenient grace.[11]
I like to replace the term total depravity with my favorite designation, which is radical corruption. Ironically, the word radical has its roots in the Latin word for "root", which is radix, and it can be translated root or core.
'Total Depravity – Lutherans and Calvinists agree'. Yes this is correct. Both agree on the devastating nature of the fall and that man by nature has no power to aid in his conversions ... and that election to salvation is by grace. In Lutheranism the German term for election is Gnadenwahl, election by grace—there is no other kind.
MQR
was invoked but never defined (see the help page).Wesleyans and Calvinists primarily disagree on the nature of the grace that brings men to salvation. To answer the question, 'How do totally depraved sinners come to Christ?' Calvinists posit irresistible grace; Wesleyans posit (universal, enabling, resistible) prevenient grace.