Human Depravity is an illuminating doctrine
It is an exceedingly
illuminating doctrine. It may be a melancholy and
humiliating one, nevertheless, it throws a flood of light upon
mysteries which are otherwise insoluble.
It supplies the key to the course of human history and shows why
so much of it has been written in blood and tears. It
supplies an explanation of many problems which sorely perplex
and puzzle the thoughtful. It reveals why the child is prone to
evil and has to be taught and disciplined unto anything that is
good. It explains why every improvement in man’s environment,
every attempt to educate him, all the efforts of social
reformers, are unavailing to effect any radical betterment in
his nature and character. It accounts for the horrible treatment
which Christ met with when He wrought so graciously in this
world, and why He is still despised and rejected of men. It
enables the Christian himself better to understand the painful
conflict which is ever at work within him, and which causes him
so often to cry, “Oh, wretched man that I am!”
