I got to thinking this morning about PaulFan bringing up total depravity, and I attempted to try to explain what it is. Here's my two cents:
Total depravity means man is inclined to evil and is not capable of doing more good. I believe, however, If we define evil as the physical act against somebody, then man is not totally depraved.I stated that if that were the case, then we would have lots of hacked off Buddhist monks converting everybody by the sword! If that is the definition of evil, then the Eastern Orthodox Christians got it right by saying that our nature is not warped.
HOWEVER - if you define ANY sin as evil (which I think it is - things are either good or bad, not in between), then that would include one's thoughts. Jesus made it clear about thoughts - the best example being thateven THINKING about lust is to commit adultury. Now I ask you, what man on here has never had a lude thought about other women? Unfortunately, I have. Many, many times. Ladies, you're not in the clear, either. What woman has never been overly jealous about something?
We all have our demons. We tend to think it's okay as long as we don't act on our thoughts. I have learned that is not the case. Therefore, I accept our belief on total depravity, that the only way to cleanse our thoughts is frequent prayer.
What's everybody's take on this?
Total depravity means man is inclined to evil and is not capable of doing more good. I believe, however, If we define evil as the physical act against somebody, then man is not totally depraved.I stated that if that were the case, then we would have lots of hacked off Buddhist monks converting everybody by the sword! If that is the definition of evil, then the Eastern Orthodox Christians got it right by saying that our nature is not warped.
HOWEVER - if you define ANY sin as evil (which I think it is - things are either good or bad, not in between), then that would include one's thoughts. Jesus made it clear about thoughts - the best example being thateven THINKING about lust is to commit adultury. Now I ask you, what man on here has never had a lude thought about other women? Unfortunately, I have. Many, many times. Ladies, you're not in the clear, either. What woman has never been overly jealous about something?
We all have our demons. We tend to think it's okay as long as we don't act on our thoughts. I have learned that is not the case. Therefore, I accept our belief on total depravity, that the only way to cleanse our thoughts is frequent prayer.
What's everybody's take on this?