Equipping University

The Calvinistic understanding of man's spiritual state is often caricatured as the destruction of the image of God in man. That is not accurate. The Bible plainly says that man is dead in his sin yet he is still very active in his willful rebellion against the holiness of God. However, many still insist on saying that man is not dead but merely "sick" or "dying." In this chapter, we will look at common misconceptions, a proper understanding, and the certain implications of this biblical doctrine of total depravity. We will never fully value to amazing grace of God until we fully understand the depths to which we have fallen in sin.

To fail to fully realize the extent and state of fallen man is to fall into a dangerously incorrect understanding of God, man, and God���s grace towards man. You cannot grasp a full understanding and appreciation for the amazing grace of God unless you first grasp a full understanding and appreciation of the true spiritual condition of man. You cannot grasp a full understanding and appreciation of your salvation unless you first grasp a full understanding and appreciation of what you have been saved from.

Many object that if God is sovereign over man, then man is not responsible for his actions. Also, it is widely held that God values free will so much that He would never impinge upon that most precious of His gifts to us. However, the Bible presents numerous episodes that dispel the second objection and the Bible clearly teaches the opposite of the first objection.

Sovereignty is not a belief central to Calvinism or even Christanity. It is an essential belief to theism - the belief in a God. However, if your god is not sovereign, then your god is no god at all. Tbe Bible spells out in overwhelming proof that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is indeed sovereign over the cosmos, the natural order, history, the kingdoms of this earth, coincidences, angels, Satan, and life and death.

In this introductory class, we look at extremes we want to avoid and reveal the assumptions and demands we will place on ourselves as we undertake this study. We also provide a very brief (too brief) introduction to the Five Point of Calvinism and explain why it is wrong to believe that "John Calvin invented Calvinism."