An Ordered Society and the
Depravity of Man
Why the doctrine of depravity does not negate the dominion
mandate.
Human beings are commanded by God to create social order, culture. We call this the dominion mandate. As a result of the Fall, we now speak of man's "total depravity."
The doctrine of depravity means
If Depravity meant the State, the State would have been ordained immediately after the Fall. The origin of the State is much later, and in fact is a result or evidence of depravity, not God's cure for it.
The counterpart to the doctrine of Depravity is the doctrine of Redemption. If the Fall of Man meant his inability to be trusted to exercise Godly dominion and create a humane culture, then Redemption means an overpowering or counteracting of this fallen impulse. The political question is "What is the means of man's redemption from the Fall?" Is it the State? Is the State God's only or primary means of overcoming or reversing the depravity of man?
The question of the extent of Redemption is largely a question of eschatology: To what degree will the depravity of man be reversed in history?
The Old Testament Prophets foretold (and Christ's Apostles confirmed) that the Messiah's Kingdom would be established when the following had taken place:
Christ accomplished all these things at His First Advent. Man is restored to his dominion mandate.
Learn about the doctrine of Spontaneous Obedience