January 21, 2008

Pyromaniacs: In What Sense Is Depravity "Total"?

Yesterday in Sunday School I read to our young people the previously blogged article advocating the removal of all missionaries from the Amazon region. Then I opened up the floor for conversation. Our teens are very perceptive, and immediately began ticking off problems with the logic (not to mention the theology and worldview) of the author.

At one point the discussion turned to the role of the Christian in culture. I made the point that all cultures are made up of humans, and all humans are created in the image of God. Hence all cultures will contain evidences of that image--good things which are fruit of common grace.

Now, one thing I have always struggled to reconcile in my mind is "total depravity" and the image of God. In that regard, todays post by Phil Johnson at Pyromaniacs was very helpful to me. Below is an excerpt:

The human race was created in the image of God. Though sin has spoiled that image, even non-Christians are capable of rising to great heights of human goodness, honesty, decency, and excellence. "Total" depravity does not mean that every unredeemed woman must be an angry, slobbering hag, or that every unbelieving man is a twisted, degenerate psychopath. It does mean that unbelievers, those who are in the flesh, cannot please God.

The key for me is the difference between being able to do good things (which reflect the image of God), and the ability to please God. All humans have the former, the latter is only available through Christ.

Posted by Andrew on January 21, 2008 3:07 PM.

Comments

Posted by: elis regina at January 30, 2008 11:27 AM