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A question about Reformed doctrine

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  • #1

    A question about Reformed doctrine

    STM there is an ambiguity in TULIP:

    If we take God’s Righteousness as the Standard for what is righteous - which of the following is the Calvinist doctrine - that:

    a. the works of the unjustified are *positively sinful* - even when the unjustified do such things as are described in Matt. 25.31-40 ?

    or

    b. the seemingly good works of the unjustified are indeed good according to the moral law - but, though good in that manner, are even so radically insufficient to be truly good when measured by the perfect Righteousness of God, seeing as God is alone truly, and unqualifiedly, Good & Righteous ?

    IOW, is the doctrine of Total Depravity saying that man is depraved in an absolute, or a relative, sense ?

    Do men fall short of the righteousness of God because their goodness, however genuine, by God’s Common Grace, it may be, is imperfect, and thus, not good enough - or, because they are positively evil ?

    Obviously everyone needs to be justified by the grace of God, regardless of his previous character; that is not in question.
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  • #2
    Wikipedia repeats the general consensus regarding Calvin's thought. I haven't found anyone disagreeing with the assessment.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_depravity

    John Calvin used terms like "total depravity" to mean that, despite the ability of people to outwardly uphold the law, there remained an inward distortion which makes all human actions displeasing to God, whether or not they are outwardly good or bad.[13] Even after regeneration, every human action is mixed with evil.
    1Cor 15:34 Come to your senses as you ought and stop sinning; for I say to your shame, there are some who know not God.
    .
    ⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛
    Scripture before Tradition:
    but that won't prevent others from
    taking it upon themselves to deprive you
    of the right to call yourself Christian.
    ⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛

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    • #3
      Originally posted by tabibito View Post
      Wikipedia repeats the general consensus regarding Calvin's thought. I haven't found anyone disagreeing with the assessment.

      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_depravity

      John Calvin used terms like "total depravity" to mean that, despite the ability of people to outwardly uphold the law, there remained an inward distortion which makes all human actions displeasing to God, whether or not they are outwardly good or bad.[13] Even after regeneration, every human action is mixed with evil.
      That’s helpful. Thanks.

      Comment

      • #4
        Originally posted by tabibito View Post
        Wikipedia repeats the general consensus regarding Calvin's thought. I haven't found anyone disagreeing with the assessment.

        https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_depravity

        John Calvin used terms like "total depravity" to mean that, despite the ability of people to outwardly uphold the law, there remained an inward distortion which makes all human actions displeasing to God, whether or not they are outwardly good or bad.[13] Even after regeneration, every human action is mixed with evil.
        Makes sense to me and sounds right. Thanks.
        "For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings." Hosea 6:6

        "Theology can be an intellectual entertainment." Metropolitan Anthony Bloom

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        • #5
          "Whatever does not proceed from faith is sin." (Rom. 14:23) So what unbelievers do, is inherently sinful. See also Romans 3:9-18...

          Blessings,
          Lee
          "What I pray of you is, to keep your eye upon Him, for that is everything. Do you say, 'How am I to keep my eye on Him?' I reply, keep your eye off everything else, and you will soon see Him. All depends on the eye of faith being kept on Him. How simple it is!" (J.B. Stoney)

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