David J. Engelsma

point: "Is man then so wicked and corrupt that he is incapable of doing any good and inclined to all evil? Indeed he is, except he is regenerated by the Holy Spirit" (0 & A 8). That total corruption means, therefore, that he cannot think one thought pleasing to God; he cannot desire one good thing; he cannot even will to be saved - his will wants only sin. He is incapable of any good word or deed which is according to God's law and is pleasing to Him. 9 He is, indeed, as wicked in his nature...