total depravity
1
9.9
- noun
- /ˈtoʊtəl dɪˈprævɪti/
- Specialized
:
depravación total
- In Calvinist theology, total depravity describes the belief that every aspect of humanity is corrupted by sin.
- premise of total depravity
Examples
-
"Total depravity is the fallen state of human beings as a result of original sin."
Blog text (2) -
Theologians speak of total depravity, not only in terms of "total inability" to come to God on our own because we're spiritually dead, but also in terms of sin's effect: sin corrupts us in the "totality" of our being.
Blog text (5) -
In this sense, total depravity means we are "totally unable" to go to God.
Blog text (5) -
Total depravity means that everything in the world, including us, is tainted.
Blog text (2) -
The concept of "total depravity" is often misunderstood and more often misrepresented.
Blog text (2) -
As understood and articulated by theologians for centuries, the idea of "total depravity" means more than one thing.
Blog text (5) -
And so when Edwards preached to his Indian congregation on the total depravity of humanity, he often taught that they were no worse than the English.
Academic text (2003) -
Accepting the reality both of total depravity and of sola gratia, he reconfigured the covenantal romance, making the love one-sided.
Academic text (2006) -
Many Calvinists believe that total depravity prevents humans from seeking God without divine intervention.
-
The doctrine of total depravity suggests that individuals cannot achieve salvation on their own merit.
Antonyms
How Corrupt
- Specialized
1
9.9
- Offensive
2
7.1
- Formal
25
8.8
36
4.6
23
6.3
259
3.8
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase is compositionally built from 'total' (complete) + 'depravity' (extreme moral corruption), so a B1 learner who knows both words can infer the core meaning of 'complete moral corruption'. The specialized theological implications (Calvinist doctrines about original sin and inability to be saved without grace) are domain-specific, but they do not prevent basic comprehension of the MWE from its constituents.
Etymology
Total depravity comes from an old Christian teaching that says people are born morally broken, with total meaning 'completely' and depravity meaning deep sin. So it now means that people are 'unable to choose God or save themselves' without God's help.