Charles Ryrie: The Role Of Depravity In God
Position Paper# 2- Depravity
Introduction:
In his book Basic Theology Charles Ryrie defines depravity as perverted or crooked and being depraved means that man fails the test of pleasing God. Mankind’s depravity is total in that it affects all aspects of man’s being and it affects all people. The term Total Depravity can mean different things to different people so Ryrie makes the distinction that Total Depravity does not mean that: Every person is as depraved as they could be, sinners do not have a conscience or “native induction” concerning God, sinners will indulge in every form of sin, or that depraved people do not perform actions that are good in the sight of others and God. Ryrie continues to state that total depravity does mean that: …show more content…
253) As humans there are things that we can deem good and right in our eyes but God has made it clear that even our good deeds are as “filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6). Good and evil cannot be viewed through the lens of what we deem good because our opinions mean nothing. There are conflicting views from Total Depravity such as Pelagianism and Arminianism but I believe Romans 5:12 clearly defines that all mankind has been cursed by sin because of Adam’s sin. I would not take my belief in Total Depravity as far as some of my reformed colleagues because I do believe that in addition to being totally depraved mankind has the opportunity to choose God.
Man is not so depraved that he has no concept of God at all. If that were true then Romans 1:20, where it states, “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse” would make no sense. If mankind has a depravity that is so complete that, apart from being the elect, they cannot have a “native induction” about God then they would be allowed to have an excuse for not having believed. James 2:1 states that even the demons believe in God and shudder. I do not think that man’s depravity has any hindrance on his ability to know God but it does affect his willingness to choose to accept
Introduction:
In his book Basic Theology Charles Ryrie defines depravity as perverted or crooked and being depraved means that man fails the test of pleasing God. Mankind’s depravity is total in that it affects all aspects of man’s being and it affects all people. The term Total Depravity can mean different things to different people so Ryrie makes the distinction that Total Depravity does not mean that: Every person is as depraved as they could be, sinners do not have a conscience or “native induction” concerning God, sinners will indulge in every form of sin, or that depraved people do not perform actions that are good in the sight of others and God. Ryrie continues to state that total depravity does mean that: …show more content…
253) As humans there are things that we can deem good and right in our eyes but God has made it clear that even our good deeds are as “filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6). Good and evil cannot be viewed through the lens of what we deem good because our opinions mean nothing. There are conflicting views from Total Depravity such as Pelagianism and Arminianism but I believe Romans 5:12 clearly defines that all mankind has been cursed by sin because of Adam’s sin. I would not take my belief in Total Depravity as far as some of my reformed colleagues because I do believe that in addition to being totally depraved mankind has the opportunity to choose God.
Man is not so depraved that he has no concept of God at all. If that were true then Romans 1:20, where it states, “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse” would make no sense. If mankind has a depravity that is so complete that, apart from being the elect, they cannot have a “native induction” about God then they would be allowed to have an excuse for not having believed. James 2:1 states that even the demons believe in God and shudder. I do not think that man’s depravity has any hindrance on his ability to know God but it does affect his willingness to choose to accept