Total Depravity and Taking Verses Out of Context

My journey to Calvinism or TULIP is a long way. Charles H. Spurgeon, a preacher admired by both Calvinists and non-Calvinists alike, said that Calvinism is but a nickname. The term came centuries after John Calvin died. Some non-Calvinists still respect Calvin. As said, I go with what the Bible says and not what Calvin says. Calvin believed that Mary remained a virgin throughout her life. However, studying the doctrines of grace during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2022) gave me better insights. That's especially with the Total Depravity of humankind.

Restudying 1 Corinthians, one could see why people take Scriptures out of context. This time, I will quote from the KJV even if I quit the KJV Only movement. Yes, that movement is fueled by unsubstantiated conspiracy theories. It's because several anti-Calvinists I know are KJV Only. I don't know if King James Stewart was a non-Calvinist who supported Calvinist scholars during the translation of the Authorized Version. Today, we have the Authorized Version of 1611, 1769 edition.

Now, here are some verses in 1 Corinthians 1, which can show the problem of unbelievers when it comes to the Scriptures:

17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. 18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. 20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

One could note the words "not with wisdom of words". In short, it was to preach the Gospel as it should be preached--preached for what it truly means! The Apostle Paul stresses that the preaching of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing. These are people who are perishing but refuse the cure. Numbers 11 talks about people who were bitten by snakes. Not everyone believed the message. It was difficult to believe that looking at that brazen serpent would heal those who were bitten. Many perished because of their unbelief in the wilderness. Moses could've given an exposition on why the snake-bitten population should look at the brazen serpent. Instead, Moses simply told them to look upon the brazen serpent.

Looking further, worldly wisdom couldn't discern God's wisdom! That's the essence of Total Depravity. Romans 3:10-19 says nobody is seeking after God. Some can say they're looking for God. However, the reality is they look for what they think God is, rather than Who God is. People tend to look for a God of their own imagination. Romans 1 tells us the sad state of those whom God has given up to their sinful imaginations. That's why we've got sexual immorality rampant today. These people are left to themselves. Left to themselves, these people know God, but they don't want anything to do with Him. Sooner or later, an atheist will admit their hatred for God. How can they hate a God who doesn't exist, so personally?

1 Corinthians 2 also writes the following

14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ.

To take the verses in context, we also need to look at these verses:

9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

In short, until God intervenes, unsaved people will just keep taking the Bible out of context. I tried arguing with a Catholic fake defender, Iglesia Ni Cristo members, etc., with the Bible. I always get mad and say, "Come on, it's already said the wya it's said, can't you read it?" For example, a closer reading of Matthew 16:16-18 makes it already clear that Peter isn't the Rock; the doctrine of Peter "the rock" is still forcibly inserted into it. The list can go on and on. Such events give me a headache.

Back when I still believed in Free Willism (or semi-Arminianism), I would often get into long-winded debates that often ended with me stressing out. What I might've been ignoring too much is that such people are physically alive, they have free will, but their spirituality is 100% dead. Being spiritually dead means that they're unable to understand the things of God. They are fallen people who couldn't accept the things of the Holy Spirit. They have the free will to do good, but only for themselves in their trajectory. They can do good, but they only do good in the name of avoiding Hell or in hopes of winning salvation. Such good works are polluted with sinful intent. That's why such righteousness is but filthy rags (or menstruous cloths) before God (Isaiah 64:6).

When I think that Paul wrote these things, one needs to restudy his conversion. Paul didn't choose the Lord Jesus first. Jesus chose Paul to become the missionary to the Gentiles. Paul could only choose Jesus because Jesus chose Him first. People aren't chosen by God because they chose God. People choose God because they chose Him first. It's an offensive and humbling doctrinal truth. Acts 9 also tells us that the scales fell from Paul's eyes. Acts 26 has Paul further stating that Jesus showed up to him to "make him a minister", to which make here is procheirzimai, or to choose or make! It was Jesus who chose Paul for salvation! Paul could only choose Jesus because it was Jesus who chose Paul!

These days, I realize that all I can do is preach. The evidence, the life testimony, good works, etc., are but a means to an end. Otherwise, if I could change people's minds, I would take the credit, not God. If God allows me to win a contest today, it's all part of His will. If God makes my friend/s win the contest today instead of me, it's all part of His will. In all of these, Romans 9 tells us that people are chosen for salvation, even before anything is done. Until God intervenes, such people will remain in their sins. Salvation becomes repugnant not only because it's a humbling doctrine--it's also a sanctifying doctrine. Since healing and forgiveness make one hate sin, lost people would reject them. Until God intervenes, spiritual matters never make sense.