Christian theology

===Total depravity===
{{Main|Total depravity}}
Total depravity (also called absolute inability and total corruption) is a theological [[doctrine]] that derives from the [[Augustine of Hippo|Augustinian]] concept of [[original sin]]. It is the teaching that, as a consequence of the [[fall of man]], every person born into the world is enslaved to the service of [[sin]] and, apart from the [[irresistible grace|efficacious]] or [[prevenient grace]] of God, is utterly unable to choose to follow [[God]] or choose to accept [[salvation]] as it is freely offered.

It is also advocated to various degrees by many Protestant confessions of faith and catechisms, including those of [[Lutheranism]],<ref>The ''[[Book of Concord]]'', "The Thorough Declaration of the Formula of Concord," [http://www.bookofconcord.org/fc-sd/originalsin.html chapter II, sections 11 and 12] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516222600/http://bookofconcord.org/fc-sd/originalsin.html |date=16 May 2008 }}; The [[Augsburg Confession]], [http://www.reformed.org/documents/augsburg.html Article 2] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100612222415/http://reformed.org/documents/augsburg.html |date=12 June 2010 }}</ref> [[Arminianism]],<ref>Arminius, James ''The Writings of James Arminius'' (three vols.), tr. [[James Nichols (printer)|James Nichols]] and William R. Bagnall (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1956), I:252</ref> and [[Calvinism]].<ref>[[Canons of Dordrecht]], [http://www.reformed.org/documents/canons_of_dordt.html "The Third and Fourth Main Points of Doctrine"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130729015115/http://www.reformed.org/documents/canons_of_dordt.html |date=29 July 2013 }}; [[Westminster Confession of Faith]], [http://www.reformed.org/documents/wcf_with_proofs/ch_VI.html chapter 6] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100613003712/http://reformed.org/documents/wcf_with_proofs/ch_VI.html |date=13 June 2010 }}; [[Westminster Larger Catechism]], [http://www.reformed.org/documents/wlc_w_proofs/WLC_001-050.html Question 25] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100613061952/http://reformed.org/documents/wlc_w_proofs/WLC_001-050.html |date=13 June 2010 }}; [[Heidelberg Catechism]], [http://www.reformed.org/documents/heidelberg.html question 8] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200903084031/https://reformed.org/documents/heidelberg.html |date=3 September 2020 }}</ref>

Total depravity is the fallen state of man as a result of original sin. The doctrine of total depravity asserts that people are by nature not inclined or even able to love God wholly with heart, mind, and strength, but rather all are inclined by nature to serve their own will and desires and to reject the rule of God. Even religion and [[philanthropy]] are wicked to God to the extent that these originate from a human imagination, passion, and will and are not done to the glory of God. Therefore, in [[Calvinism|Reformed theology]], if God is to save anyone He must [[Predestination (Calvinism)|predestine]], call, elect individuals to salvation since fallen man does not want to, indeed is incapable of choosing God.<ref>The ''[[Westminster Confession of Faith]]'', [http://www.reformed.org/documents/wcf_with_proofs/ch_IX.html 9.3] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100613003851/http://reformed.org/documents/wcf_with_proofs/ch_IX.html |date=13 June 2010 }}</ref>

Total depravity does not mean, however, that people are as evil as possible. Rather, it means that even the good which a person may intend is faulty in its premise, false in its motive, and weak in its implementation; and there is no mere refinement of natural capacities that can correct this condition. Thus, even acts of generosity and altruism are in fact [[psychological egoism|egoist]] acts in disguise. All good, consequently, is derived from God alone, and in no way through man.<ref>{{Cite journal| author=Ra McLaughlin |journal=Reformed Perspectives |title=Total Depravity, part 1 |url=http://thirdmill.org/newfiles/ra_mclaughlin/TH.McLaughlin.Total_Depravity.1.html |access-date=2008-07-14 |quote=[Any person] can do outwardly good works, but these works come from a heart that hates God, and therefore fail to meet God's righteous standards.}}</ref>