The belief held by most reformed theologians, but particularly by Calvinists, that the entire constitution of our human nature has been affected by the Fall. It is important to understand that the adjective has to do with the breath and not the depth of human depravity, i.e., it does not assert that we are as bad as we can be, simply that no aspects of our humanity is untouched by sin.
The tenet, though not so labeled, was already clearly visible in Augustine of Hippo but was more fully delineated later in response to the belief of Medieval Scholasticism that human nature was created with both natural gifts, such as reason, and supranatural gifts, such as love of God, and that only the latter components of human nature were affected by the Fall. Medieval Scholasticism, therefore, held that it was possible to find truths about God by means of the reason and to respond to him by the will. Total depravity, in contrasts, argues that neither reason nor will—because they have been affected by the Fall as well—can bring us back to God; redemption must involve the totality of our human being.
Print Resources
A. W. Pink, The Total Depravity of Man (). Source: Monergism. Pdf N
Media Resources
R. C. Sproul, Total Depravity. Ligonier Ministries. 4 lectures. Video N
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