Arminianism Versus Calvinism | John MacArthur

The idea that man's free will can contribute to his salvation is often considered orthodox, but historically, the doctrine of total depravity has been central to Christian orthodoxy. This doctrine, which emphasizes that humanity is completely incapable of saving itself without divine intervention, has been defended throughout church history. It was not a modern invention by John Calvin or the Reformers but has roots deep in early Christian teachings.

The Pelagian controversy of the 5th century is a key historical episode. Pelagius and Celestius opposed the teachings of Augustine, who argued that sinners are entirely unable to obey God without God's grace freeing them from sin. Pelagianism claimed that human nature was unaffected by original sin and that individuals could choose to obey God purely by their own will. This view was condemned as heresy at the Council of Ephesus in 431.

Semi-Pelagianism, a later development, tried to compromise by suggesting that while Adam's sin affected all of humanity, sinners retained just enough free will to make the first move towards God, after which God's grace would complete the work. This view, too, was condemned by several church councils long before the time of John Calvin.

The doctrine of total depravity, which asserts that humanity is completely fallen and incapable of initiating salvation, was upheld by reformers such as Luther and Calvin. Luther's treatise "The Bondage of the Will" and Calvin's "Institutes" both defend this doctrine as foundational to understanding human nature and salvation. This teaching is also reflected in historic confessions like the Westminster Confession, the London Baptist Confession, and others.

When we turn to Scripture, we see that the Bible describes the condition of sinners using terms like death, darkness, blindness, hardness, and slavery. These terms highlight the total inability of sinners to overcome their fallen state without God's intervention. The Bible teaches that this fallen condition affects every aspect of human nature—body, mind, emotions, will, and behavior. It is a condition so powerful that no sinner, unaided by God, can ever overcome it.

In our current age, pragmatism has often replaced theology in the church, with strategies focusing on meeting people's desires rather than addressing their need for righteousness and deliverance from sin. Yet, as Ephesians 2 clearly states, we are dead in our trespasses and sins, utterly dependent on God's grace for salvation. This is the biblical and historic truth that has been defended by the church throughout the ages.