📖 there is no one good, no not one!

What’s up with all this total depravity?

July 01, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 4 minutes

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There is No One Good, No Not One

I studied theology alongside a bunch of Calvinists.

These individuals closely follow the teachings of 16th-century French reformer John Calvin.

And Calvinist theology has a little something to say about how “good” you really are.

Totally Depraved, Baby

10 As it is written:

“There is no one righteous, not even one;

11 there is no one who understands;

there is no one who seeks God.

12 All have turned away,

they have together become worthless;

there is no one who does good,

not even one.” (Romans 3v10-12)

These Old Testament verses, referenced by the Apostle Paul, are often used to support a theological doctrine known as total depravity.

(Which, all theological opinions aside, has a really cool name.)

This doctrine essentially says that humankind, on its own, is unable to achieve any form of good. Any good we happen to do is not a result of our efforts at all but the grace of God.

Total depravity is traced back to humankind’s fall in Genesis 3.

Calvinists argue that because of original sin (the sin of Adam and Eve in Genesis 3 - also a cool name), human nature is corrupted and unable to achieve that which is truly good.

So, to become good, we’re completely dependent on God’s grace.

Let’s Be Realistic

I think it’s easy to use and abuse total depravity.

I’ve seen it utilized to put people down, inflicting them with shame for being human.

It also contains some implications regarding free will and salvation that I struggle to agree with.

But…

…I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t somewhat realistic.

As I said yesterday, we’re all flawed; we make mistakes and oscillate between doing good and bad.

Truthfully, I don’t think anyone is born completely good.

No one teaches a toddler to lie or think selfishly; these are instinctual behaviors. That's why our parents (hopefully) teach us not to do them - we’re born lacking that knowledge.

There is something off in human nature… but are we completely depraved?

So, if I’m being honest, I don’t fully agree with total depravity but I definitely agree that human nature is off and in need of some level of repair.

But does that mean we’re without any flicker of goodness?

I don’t think so.

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