Log in
Register
Search
Search titles only
By:
Search titles only
By:
Forums
New posts
Forum list
Search forums
Leaderboards
Games
Our Blog
Blogs
New entries
New comments
Blog list
Search blogs
Credits
Transactions
Shop
Blessings: ✟0.00
Tickets
Open new ticket
Watched
Donate
Log in
Register
Search
Search titles only
By:
Search titles only
By:
More options
Toggle width
Share this page
Share this page
Share
Reddit
Pinterest
Tumblr
WhatsApp
Email
Share
Link
Menu
Install the app
Install
Forums
Outreach
Outreach
Exploring Christianity
Total Depravity and Self-Esteem
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Message
<blockquote data-quote="public hermit" data-source="post: 76762523" data-attributes="member: 421854"><p>I reject total depravity, but not the doctrine of sin, i.e., that we are somehow subject to the power of sin and in need of being made free in Christ. Sin is a mystery. Why would we ever strive against what is good and what is good for ourselves? I think Irenaeus was right that we are created spiritually immature, and just as we must grow physically, we also need to grow spiritually. This process of growth is part of the divine intention (instead of the Augustinian doctrine that we were perfect and then fell).</p><p></p><p>That being the case, the Xn doctrine of sin needs to always be understood in light of the doctrine that we are created in the divine image and inherently good. Yes, we sin and sin is destructive, but we are created to grow into the full stature of Jesus Christ, the very image of the invisible God. So there needs to be some nuance as we hold these two doctrines together. I think they can work as correctives: If we are thinking too highly of ourselves, putting ourselves and our wants above others, we need to remember that we, too, are sinners and in need of grace. Or if we are beating ourselves up, thinking of ourselves as unworthy of God's goodness and somehow unworthy of treating ourselves well or being treated well by others, we need to remember that we are created in the divine image, loved by God who died for us so that we might grow into the likeness of the image in which we are created.</p><p></p><p>But, yes, I think Calvin's doctrine of total depravity is destructive and doesn't give due acknowledgement to the doctrine of the imago dei. The fact is, Calvin's system had no room for divine love, much less love for self or others. It is a very toxic system on that account.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="public hermit, post: 76762523, member: 421854"] I reject total depravity, but not the doctrine of sin, i.e., that we are somehow subject to the power of sin and in need of being made free in Christ. Sin is a mystery. Why would we ever strive against what is good and what is good for ourselves? I think Irenaeus was right that we are created spiritually immature, and just as we must grow physically, we also need to grow spiritually. This process of growth is part of the divine intention (instead of the Augustinian doctrine that we were perfect and then fell). That being the case, the Xn doctrine of sin needs to always be understood in light of the doctrine that we are created in the divine image and inherently good. Yes, we sin and sin is destructive, but we are created to grow into the full stature of Jesus Christ, the very image of the invisible God. So there needs to be some nuance as we hold these two doctrines together. I think they can work as correctives: If we are thinking too highly of ourselves, putting ourselves and our wants above others, we need to remember that we, too, are sinners and in need of grace. Or if we are beating ourselves up, thinking of ourselves as unworthy of God's goodness and somehow unworthy of treating ourselves well or being treated well by others, we need to remember that we are created in the divine image, loved by God who died for us so that we might grow into the likeness of the image in which we are created. But, yes, I think Calvin's doctrine of total depravity is destructive and doesn't give due acknowledgement to the doctrine of the imago dei. The fact is, Calvin's system had no room for divine love, much less love for self or others. It is a very toxic system on that account. [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Forums
Outreach
Outreach
Exploring Christianity
Total Depravity and Self-Esteem
Top
Bottom