MARSCAST

Episode 226: 226. Examining John Calvin's Doctrine of Total Depravity

In this episode, Dr. J. Mark Beach dives deep into Book 2 of John Calvin's seminal work, The Institutes of the Christian Religion. After covering knowledge of God as Creator in Book 1, Calvin turns his attention in Book 2 to understanding humanity's fallen, depraved state and need for redemption.

Dr. Beach provides an in-depth analysis of Calvin's teaching on the gravity of Adam's sin, his rebellion against God's word and authority. He explores Calvin's view that Adam's fall impacted not just himself but all of humanity, passing down a "contagion" of sin and corruption to all his descendants.

Calvin's doctrine of original sin or total depravity is unpacked - that from birth, mankind is infected with sin, unable to will or do true good, deserving of God's wrath. Yet this is not a doctrine of pessimism but a sober assessment following Scripture's teachings.

The episode examines Calvin's nuanced view that while human nature is gravely impacted, through common grace, people can still do civil good outwardly. But the root issue remains - only God's intervening grace can remedy our inward fallenness and inability.

Throughout, Dr. Beach shows how, for Calvin, rightly understanding our desperately sinful condition is crucial to grasping our need for redemption in Christ alone. This foundation sets the stage for his later teachings on salvation and the work of Christ as Redeemer.