After class today, there was some discussion about my use of Romans 7:18 to defend the doctrine of total depravity. The question basically goes as follows: is the experience that Paul describes in Romans 7 his experience before becoming a Christian, or after becoming a Christian? If Paul is speaking from a post-conversion perspective, some might then ask how Romans 7:18 could be used as a justification for the total depravity of natural (unconverted) man.
In the midst of our discussion, I hastily said that I thought Paul was speaking from a pre-conversion mindset. In retrospect, that’s not what I believe at all, nor what I have ever thought of this passage. Sorry for the confusion! I’m not entirely sure why I was confused…maybe I was just having a senior moment.
In any event, one might rightly ask then how this passage, referring to a Christian, believing, saved, and righteous Paul could be used to address the unconverted, unregenerate man. I do still hold that this passage is applicable and does speak to our natural condition. The counsel of Scripture clearly teaches that even the saved and regenerate man does sin. In fact, John tells us that if we say we don’t sin, we’re liars and the truth is not in us (I Jn. 1:8 )! So, there is some tension between our having been made new creatures (II Cor. 5:17) and yet still sinning. We have been given new natures, and yet we sin. I am convinced that this is the often painful tension of being a Christian this side of eternity. Though we have been made new, we have been washed, the old has gone and the new has come, we are positionally sanctified, we possess the righteousness of Christ, we are still tied to the sinful nature. By virtue of the fact that we are fallen (though redeemed) creatures and live in a fallen creation, we are not entirely and finally set free from our bondage to sin and decay (Rom. 8:20-21). This is the future hope that we have laid up for us. When we die or the Lord returns, we will be finally and completely set free. Our bodies will be redeemed, and sin will be finally and completley cast off forever as we enter into the joy of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. It is then that we will be not only positionally sancitifed, but our progressive sanctification will be finally and totally completed.
So, my point is this, that although the believer has been given a new nature, we are still stained by the corruption of the sinful nature. This is the “flesh” that Paul speaks of in Rom. 7:18. Our essential nature is no longer sinful; it has been cleansed and redeemed in Christ. But, parts of our old nature linger and tarry as a dead body (Rom. 7:24). So, the flesh of vs. 18 is the final vestiges of an old and dying nature. The war is won, but the battle still rages within the believer until final sanctification and glorification. It follows then that when Paul speaks of the corruption of his flesh, he speaks not only of that lingering bit of the old nature in his believing life, but the essence of the actual nature of the unregenerate life. Thus, I think verse 18 can appropriately be used to defend the total depravity of the natural man.
Pastor John (Piper) did a 6-part sermon regarding this very question. I found it very helpful in defining my views on this passage (even if I misstated them today). You can read/listen to Part 3 here and Part 4 here, and Part 5 here. Parts 1, 2, and 6 are also very good, but these three give his arguments for a post-conversion perspective. Also of note, if anyone has seen the “John Piper is bad” video, the audio comes from one of these sermons…I think Part 5.
Questions, comments, thoughts?
