The two theological systems known as Calvinism and Arminianism disagree about many things. Their greatest agreement comes in their understanding of the human condition. In the Calvinist “TULIP”, T stands for Total Depravity. Both sides agree that sin impacts every aspect of life, and leaves human beings completely unable to contribute anything to their own salvation. The difference between the two approaches has to do with how God acts to remedy the human problem.
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Notes
In this series, we are introducing the basic differences between two theological systems known as Calvinism and Arminianism, generally following the five points of Calvinism defined by the word “TULIP”. The T stands for Total Depravity. This addresses the underlying question: what is the spiritual condition of human beings?
Total depravity is the idea that Adam’s fall left all human beings completely unable to do a single thing to contribute to their own salvation. On our own strength, we cannot repent and believe, or live a life pleasing to God. Total depravity doesn’t mean everyone is as evil as they can be, or that people are incapable of any kind of virtue apart from God. Yet without God’s action on our behalf, sin impacts every aspect of life and we cannot know God or please God.
Both Calvinists and Arminians believe that fallen human beings require God’s grace throughout the salvation process, from beginning to end. The difference between the two approaches has to do with how God acts to remedy the human problem.
Both sides of the debate agree that fallen human nature is so sinful and corrupt that on our own, we cannot seek God, believe the gospel, or do anything that pleases God.
One Calvinist author writes, “A proper understanding of Calvinism is fully dependent on understanding Calvin’s view of man’s depravity. He taught that man, who once enjoyed perfect fellowship and communion with God, had his very nature changed through the fall into sin. This not only destroyed the communion between God and man, but also removed the ability of man to have communion with God. Man’s nature became so wholly corrupt as to leave him unable to choose against his nature. A fallen man is able to choose to do what he wants, but is unable to want God. Because man does not want God, he can never choose Him. Only God, in His Sovereign free will, can change man’s nature and make him capable of repentance.”
But an Arminian source says something quite similar: “Humanity was created in the image of God, good and upright, but fell from its original sinless state through willful disobedience, leaving humanity...
