Total Depravity means that Natural Man is totally sinful and does not ever WANT in his own spirit to know Christ Here we stand. No procession beyond this point, unless admitted or denied as Biblically correct. None. Total Depravity means that Natural Man is totally sinful and does not ever WANT in his own spirit to know Christ True, or False? I love how Calvinists attempt to frame the debate. That is not the question and you know it. The question is what does God want! Adam was spiritually dead and hid from God and God looked for him.
Again, the real issue is your one, all encompassing, eternal decree that God has, through His directive will decided who will be saved and who will not.
The issue of Total Depravity is a mute point since God can save anyone, so the question is why doesn't He save everyone who is 'totally depraved' What makes the elect special? So we are back to the 'Secret Councils' and that is the ultimate foundation of your philosophical system (CoL.2:8)
Q: "...so the question is why doesn't He save everyone who is 'totally depraved'?"
A: Unfortunately, Scripture doesn't answer this to the satisfaction of our innate human curiosity. All we know is that every person is depraved and
does not seek God (Romans 3:11, 1 Corinthians 2:14, Colossians2:13, John 6:44, John 15:16, Romans 9:16) We can only speculate as to what what God's reasoning may be. The Apostle Paul had this to say: "As it is written, 'Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated.' What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? Certainly not! For He says to Moses, '
I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion'" (Romans 9:13-15).
Q: "What makes the elect special?"
A: Nothing, save for God's redeeming grace. The elect have nothing about which they can be selfishly proud. As Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9).