The Doctrine of Human Depravity

by Arthur W. Pink

The Doctrine of Human Depravity

Genres: Theology

248 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Arthur 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.

Reviews

[George Hunger · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read from A.W. Pink. The Doctrine of Human Depravity thoroughly explores the depravity of mankind, beginning at creation with the fall. It is well written and theologically deep. The reader will definately walk away with a fuller understanding of human wickedness and man's enmity towards God prior to regeneration. It was for this reason that I began reading this work. However good, the author's bias towards Calvinism and the doctrine of election, along with several theological "leaps of faith" regarding these doctrines, has lessened my appreciation of this book.

[Rock Rockwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

If a person can comprehend their human depravity then the doctrines of grace magnify. This first basic biblical understanding of fallen man provides the framework to understand the depth of Jesus' sacrifice.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

A clear, reasoned, deeply intellectual teaching on the total depravity of man.