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The Total Depravity of Man
▶ DESCRIPTION
Some readers will probably be very disappointed when they see the title of this book, considering the subject quite unattractive and unedifying. If so, they are to be pitied; we hope that God will bless the contents to them. Medicine is proverbially unpleasant, but there are times when all of us find it necessary and beneficial. Others will be thankful that, by divine grace, we seek to glorify God rather than please the flesh. And surely that which most glorifies God is to declare "all his counsel," to insist on that which puts man in his proper place before Him, and to emphasize those portions and aspects of the truth which our generation is most in need of. As we shall endeavor to show, our theme is one of immense doctrinal importance and of great practical value.
▶ CONTENTS
1. Introduction
2. Origin
3. Imputation
4. Consequences
5. Transmission
6. Nature
7. Impact
8. Enormity
9. Extent
10. Ramifications
11. Evidences
12. Corollaries
13. Remedy
14. Summary
15. Other Books
▶ AUTHOR
Arthur W. Pink was born in Nottingham England in 1886, and born again of the Spirit of God in 1908 at the age of 22. He studied at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, USA, for only six weeks before beginning his pastoral work in Colorado. From there he pastored churches in California, Kentucky, and South Carolina, before moving to Sydney Australia for a brief period, preaching and teaching. In 1934, at 48 years old, he returned to his native England. He took permanent residence in Lewis, Scotland, in 1940, remaining there 12 years until his death at age 66 in 1952.
Some readers will probably be very disappointed when they see the title of this book, considering the subject quite unattractive and unedifying. If so, they are to be pitied; we hope that God will bless the contents to them. Medicine is proverbially unpleasant, but there are times when all of us find it necessary and beneficial. Others will be thankful that, by divine grace, we seek to glorify God rather than please the flesh. And surely that which most glorifies God is to declare "all his counsel," to insist on that which puts man in his proper place before Him, and to emphasize those portions and aspects of the truth which our generation is most in need of. As we shall endeavor to show, our theme is one of immense doctrinal importance and of great practical value.
▶ CONTENTS
1. Introduction
2. Origin
3. Imputation
4. Consequences
5. Transmission
6. Nature
7. Impact
8. Enormity
9. Extent
10. Ramifications
11. Evidences
12. Corollaries
13. Remedy
14. Summary
15. Other Books
▶ AUTHOR
Arthur W. Pink was born in Nottingham England in 1886, and born again of the Spirit of God in 1908 at the age of 22. He studied at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, USA, for only six weeks before beginning his pastoral work in Colorado. From there he pastored churches in California, Kentucky, and South Carolina, before moving to Sydney Australia for a brief period, preaching and teaching. In 1934, at 48 years old, he returned to his native England. He took permanent residence in Lewis, Scotland, in 1940, remaining there 12 years until his death at age 66 in 1952.
194 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 20, 2010
144 people are currently reading
167 people want to read
About the author
Arthur W. Pink
657 books304 followersArthur Walkington Pink was born in Nottingham, England on April 1, 1886 and became a Christian in his early 20s. Though born to Christian parents, prior to conversion he migrated into a Theosophical society (an occult gnostic group popular in England during that time), and quickly rose in prominence within their ranks. His conversion came from his father's patient admonitions from Scripture. It was Proverbs 14:12, 'there is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death,' which particularly struck his heart and compelled him to renounce Theosophy and follow Jesus.
Desiring to grow in knowledge of the Bible, Pink migrated to the United States to study at Moody Bible Institute. In 1916 he married Vera E. Russell, from Kentucky. However, he left after just two months for Colorado, then California, then Britain. From 1925 to 1928 he served in Australia, including as pastor of two congregations from 1926 to 1928, when he returned to England, and to the United States the following year. He eventually pastored churches Colorado, California, Kentucky and South Carolina.
In 1922 he started a monthly magazine entitled Studies in Scriptures which circulated among English-speaking Christians worldwide, though only to a relatively small circulation list of around 1,000.
In 1934 Pink returned to England, and within a few years turned his Christian service to writing books and pamphlets. Pink died in Stornoway, Scotland on July 15, 1952. The cause of death was anemia.
After Pink's death, his works were republished by the Banner of Truth Trust and reached a much wider audience as a result. Biographer Iain Murray observes of Pink, "the widespread circulation of his writings after his death made him one of the most influential evangelical authors in the second half of the twentieth century." His writing sparked a revival of expository preaching and focused readers' hearts on biblical living.
Desiring to grow in knowledge of the Bible, Pink migrated to the United States to study at Moody Bible Institute. In 1916 he married Vera E. Russell, from Kentucky. However, he left after just two months for Colorado, then California, then Britain. From 1925 to 1928 he served in Australia, including as pastor of two congregations from 1926 to 1928, when he returned to England, and to the United States the following year. He eventually pastored churches Colorado, California, Kentucky and South Carolina.
In 1922 he started a monthly magazine entitled Studies in Scriptures which circulated among English-speaking Christians worldwide, though only to a relatively small circulation list of around 1,000.
In 1934 Pink returned to England, and within a few years turned his Christian service to writing books and pamphlets. Pink died in Stornoway, Scotland on July 15, 1952. The cause of death was anemia.
After Pink's death, his works were republished by the Banner of Truth Trust and reached a much wider audience as a result. Biographer Iain Murray observes of Pink, "the widespread circulation of his writings after his death made him one of the most influential evangelical authors in the second half of the twentieth century." His writing sparked a revival of expository preaching and focused readers' hearts on biblical living.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
April 16, 2019
This book is definitely worth reading. More and more insights into the original sin and what we have become in the eyes of the LORD before CHRIST came to rescue us. Only by mercy and truth are our sins purged. All else will end up killing us.
February 14, 2013
This is an excellent book! It is humbling and eye-opening. He does an excellent job portraying the Biblical view of our depravity, and weaving the plain, Scriptural descriptions of the lost along with basic Bible examples into his text. I have to agree with Pink that much error in doctrine could be avoided by a clear perspective of God's view regarding man's depraved, sinful heart. Some books are light and airy, but this one gives the reader much to chew on and ponder over.
August 6, 2016
Pink is confused on the will before the fall, I believe, essentially ending up in the same problem as Arminianism. By and large, though, this is a very helpful book. Detailed and insightful. One of the hardest books I've read--but that's just because of content. The more I see of my sin, and the holiness of God, the more astounding God's mercy and grace appear. You can read this free online: http://www.pbministries.org/books/pin....
September 2, 2020
A explanation of the Calvinistic understanding of man's fallen nature. It is a fairly grim read, but the title is "The Total Depravity of Man", and the content is true to the title. The book could probably have been a third of its length without the loss of too much substance, but there is value in belabouring the points being made.
I disagree with the author's overall theological viewpoint, but I wanted an unvarnished assessment of fallen man's condition from someone likely to hold the most pessimistic view of it, and this book delivered on that. I now think that humanity is naturally in a sorrier state than I did before I read the book, and I think this is a reality that should be more strongly emphasised in certain quarters today.
I disagree with the author's overall theological viewpoint, but I wanted an unvarnished assessment of fallen man's condition from someone likely to hold the most pessimistic view of it, and this book delivered on that. I now think that humanity is naturally in a sorrier state than I did before I read the book, and I think this is a reality that should be more strongly emphasised in certain quarters today.
July 28, 2025
The Total Depravity of Man by A.W. Pink isn’t necessarily an easy read, but it’s well worth the effort. The content is excellent—biblically sound, theologically rich, and spiritually edifying. Pink clearly presents the seriousness of sin and the true condition of the human heart, all grounded in Scripture. It’s a sobering and important book for anyone who wants to better grasp our need for God’s grace.
July 11, 2019
What a humbling and yet freeing book! Pink is a master writer and Bible student. I gain so much insight from him and yet I always check with the Scriptures to be sure such things are so. A wonderful look at man and much needed in today's self-esteem obsessed world.
June 21, 2018
Fantastic book just difficult to follow
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May 15, 2022I have read and studied many parts of it through the years which of course you have to read the Tulip doctrine which everything makes sense in the reformed doctrine of sovereign grace...
July 4, 2022
Great topic. A lot of unnecessary repetition. It could have been a quarter of the length and would have accomplished the same end.
December 22, 2024
wow was this thorough!!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews