AG STUDY GUIDE FINAL - The Forerunner

2. The court or Synod of Dordt was convened in November of 1618 to deal with
the Arminian challenge. The primary question was: “How does fallen man come
to a ____________knowledge of the LORD Jesus Christ?”
3. The Arminian party's first point has become known as "partial depravity" or
"the _______________man theory." Although man is fallen, they insisted, his
mind, will and emotions were only wounded by the fall. Therefore, "the human
will is free and [still] self-controlled, having power to yield to the influence of the
truth and the Spirit, or to resist them and perish.” Articles of Faith of the National
Association of Free Will Baptists
4. The Synod of Dordt responded to the contrary, articulating what has come to
be known as "total depravity" or "the ___________ man theory". Simply stated: in
the Fall, man just didn’t become spiritually sick — he died. As a result, he is
completely unable to do any ultimate good in the eyes of God, including
believing the gospel. Since the fall of Adam every person is conceived and born
a __________, spiritually dead in their sin. Though we still have a will and are
free to choose what we want to choose, we are not ________ to choose what is
__________________ to our nature. In the end, the will of fallen man can only
embrace sin and face its ultimate wages: ________________.
Dr. Thomas Nettles: What total depravity means is that every faculty that we
have is affected by the Fall. Every faculty we have is predisposed to unholiness.
Our mind, will, emotions, memory, conscience – all of these things are impacted
by sin and are predisposed toward corruption and evil.
Dr. D. James Kennedy: This does not mean that man is as bad as he could be.
Nor does it mean that every unregenerate man is equally bad. There are
obviously some people who are worse than others. What it does mean is that the
Fall of Adam and original sin does impact every part of man’s being. Namely his
mind, his heart, and his will.
Eric: So does the Word of God, teach that man is partially or totally depraved —
spiritually wounded or spiritually dead? Any answer must take into full
account the following sobering assessments of man’s inherent nature. In our
falleness the Bible describes us as:
• “Darkened in our understanding” (Ephesians 4:18, 1 Corinthians 2:14) and
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