If Total Depravity Is True Why Do Men Do Good Things?

The Conquering Truth

Total Depravity is usually thought about as a doctrine related primarily to salvation (and is probably best known for being the ‘T’ in the acronym, TULIP). But in actuality, it is a broad doctrine that explains a great deal about the world and the role of sin in men’s lives. So, here’s our question: How well do you understand the doctrine of total depravity?
Have you ever wondered, “If Total Depravity is true, why don’t unsaved men sin more than they seem to?” Or “What stops an unsaved man who likes alcohol from becoming a drunkard? Or a lustful man from running out and committing adultery?” The answer might surprise you.
So please join us for this discussion. Our goal is to discuss this doctrine in such a way that it helps us to understand the world. And because sin is such a big part of the world we live in and according to scripture most people in the world are slaves to sin, misunderstanding the doctrine of total depravity can make it easy to misunderstand why unsaved people do so many good, kind, and beneficial things. We’ll even talk about how God has ordained the world in such a way, that a man’s pride can cause him stop sinning in a particular way (he’ll still sin, just differently than he would have). Because even in God’s justice, he shows mercy upon sinful man and provides many constraints in the world that keep men from rushing to their own destruction. May we glorify God for his great mercies. As it says in Romans 11, “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!”
Production of Reformation Baptist Church of Youngsville, NC
Hosts - Dan Horn, Jonathan Sides, Charles Churchill and Joshua Horn
Technical Director - Timothy Kaiser
Theme Music - Gabriel Hudelson