On July 12, George, responding to my plaintive question about "total
depravity," wrote (in part):
" The Lutheran view (i.e., the right one :)) is that unregenerate human
beings are completely incapable of genuine faith in God, and that therefore
everything that they do is permeated with sin, "... This does not mean that
acts which are outwardly in accord with the law are not possible, but that
their motivation is not that the sinner "fears, loves, & trusts in God above
all things."
That makes sense. Do you know what other denominations hold (or deny) this?
"However, the term "total depravity" is problematic for it suggests that
there is absolutely nothing good about unregenerate humanity at all. This
would effectively mean that such people are no longer creatures of God ..."
That helps. I think that meaning was what I was inferring when I read the
phrase.
"Luther & the Lutheran tradition have held that even after one has
been brought to faith by the Holy Spirit sin remains in the person.
Luther's statement is that the Christian is simul justus et peccator - at
the same time justified and sinner."
And that makes sense also.
Thanks, George.
Burgy
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