The False Doctrine of Total Hereditary Depravity

The Confession of Faith of the Presbyterian Church, based on the Westminister Confession of Faith, noting the sin of Adam and Eve, says:

"...the guilt of this sin was imputed, and the same death in sin and corrupted nature conveyed, to all their posterity, descending from them by ordinary generation. From this original corruption, whereby we are utterly indisposed, disabled, and made opposite to all good, and wholly inclined to all evil, do proceed all actual transgressions."

The following points refute this error:

1. The Bible definition of sin refutes this false doctrine.

A. I Jn. 3:4 - Sin is an act. It is something that is done. It is not inherited.

B. Jas. 1:13-15 - process of becoming a sinner
Lust + enticement = temptation
Temptation + action = sin and spiritual death
What child meets this pattern at birth?

2. The Bible teaches individual accountability and responsibility. Ezek. 18:20; Rom. 14:12; II Cor. 5:10.

3. Small children are portrayed in the Bible as being Innocent, pure, and free from sin. Mt. 18:1-14; Psa. 127:3; Deut. 1:39; II Sam. 12:22-23; Heb. 12:9

4. The Bible process of becoming a Christian and having sins forgiven excludes small children and infants. Infant baptism is unknown in the Bible. Infants do not inherit sin (Ezek. 18:20) and they are not accountable (Deut. 1:39). bible baptism is preceded by teaching, faith, repentance and confession (Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38; Mt. 28:18-20; Acts 8:26-39).

5. Jesus' description of a person who is a good hearer in the parable of the sower in Lk. 8:11-15 is in conflict with the idea of being totally depraved before conversion. Jesus said that it is possible to have "an honest and good heart" prior to even hearing the word of God.

6. The Bible teaches:

A. "have gone astray" - - not born astray - - Isa. 53:6

B. "gone out of the way" - - not born out of the right way - - Rom. 3:12

C. "become unprofitable" - - not born unprofitable - - Rom. 3:12

D. "man's heart is evil from his youth" - - not his birth - - Gen. 8:21

7. Perverted Passages

A. Rom. 5:12 - - All suffer death as a consequence of Adam's sin but not guilt and corruption.

B. Eph. 2:1 - - not born "dead" - - spiritual death is the result of committing sin - - Jas. 1:13-15; I Jn. 3:4

C. Eph. 2:3 - - "nature" by "disobedience" as in verse 2 not by birth.

D. Psa. 58:3 - - "go astray" - - not born astray - - could "speak lies"

E. Psa. 51:5 - - refers to mother at conception not David at birth - - the NIV perverts this verse in translation