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We believe that God deliberately and uniquely created humanity in His image. He created the first man and woman, Adam and Eve, to know Him, represent Him within creation, care for the world He made, and live in obedience to Him. Because every human being bears God’s image, every human life has dignity, value, and purpose.
Adam and Eve were created without sin, but they disobeyed God. Their rebellion brought sin and death into human experience and damaged humanity’s relationship with God, with one another, and with creation.
Because Adam stood as the head of the human race, his fall affected all who descended from him. Every person is born with a sinful nature and personally commits sin. Jesus Christ alone was conceived and born without sin and remained perfectly obedient to the Father.
Sin affects every part of human nature. We are spiritually dead apart from God’s intervention and cannot restore ourselves to fellowship with Him. We need the new life that God gives through Jesus Christ.
Supporting Scriptures
Genesis 1:26-27; Genesis 2:7, 15-17; Genesis 3:1-24; Psalm 51:5; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3:10-12, 23; Romans 5:12-19; Ephesians 2:1-5; I Corinthians 15:21-22, 45-49
Layman's Terms
God made us in His image and gave human life genuine dignity and purpose. Humanity rebelled against Him, and sin has affected every person and every part of life. We cannot cure that condition ourselves. We need God to rescue us and give us new life through Christ.
Further Study
What Total Depravity Means
Total depravity describes how completely sin has affected human nature. It does not mean that every person is as wicked as possible or incapable of doing things that benefit others. People can love their families, help their neighbors, and contribute to their communities.
It means that no part of us remains untouched by sin. Our minds, desires, motives, wills, bodies, and relationships all bear its effects. Even when we recognize what is good, we cannot free ourselves from sin or earn acceptance with God.
Our condition therefore requires more than education, moral improvement, or greater effort. We need God to give us spiritual life and reconcile us to Himself through Jesus Christ.
Related Reading
For a fuller explanation of humanity’s sin and God’s answer through Jesus Christ, read The Romans Road: The Problem, the Penalty, the Gift, and Our New Life.
Memory Verse
Romans 5:12
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