A topic that is not short on controversy is that of total depravity. In short, this belief is based upon the fact that man is dead, not in a physical way (although dying), but in a spiritual way leaving man incapable of responding to God. This doctrine is seen with such passages as Ephesians 2:1 that says, “…you were dead in the trespasses and sins.”
To be honest, I find this doctrine hard to disagree with. And even if it was suspect, why would I disagree with a doctrine that affirms my evilness and sinfulness of which I know to be the case? I take this verse from Ephesians at face value. Dead means dead. Why fight it?
The controversy heightens though, when considering whether the dead have something in them that allows a response to God’s offer of salvation. For, aren’t we saved through faith in Christ? How do we take verses like Acts 16:31 that implore a sinner to “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved”. Or possibly the most famous verse in the Bible, John 3:16 that says “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” Can a dead person have faith or as some would argue, does the process of regeneration come first?
All questioning aside, I feel that the issue comes back to not whether a spiritually dead person can respond, but whether a dead person can hear, let alone respond. I believe that the dead can hear and it is a work of God. Let’s look at the key verse of John 5:25:
Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.
The voice of the Son of God can speak to the dead and the dead will hear! The very spoken word of Jesus is the very power that allows a dead person to hear and respond to the gospel. For the power of God (Romans 1:16) is the gospel of Jesus Christ, the good news proclaimed and lived out by the very word, Jesus Christ (John 1). You see, the word of God is powerful. Powerful enough to condemn, powerful enough to save, and powerful enough to speak directly to the dead so that they can hear.
God speaking is essential throughout Scripture. God creates with his word, he sends prophets that call down fire through voice, Jesus speaks and demons flee, the sick are healed, and the power of the father given to the son through the Holy Spirit comes through voice. God’s word brings out his plan of salvation for all who repent and believe in his son. We have faith, by hearing the word of God and through the calling of the Holy Spirit, we are able to respond and trust.
As Christians we must declare God’s word with authority, for by it the dead will hear and be saved. Boldly we claim the words of God in Isaiah 55:10-11:
For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven
and do not return there but water the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,
giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.