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Unregenerate Good Works in the Old Testament

Unregenerate Good Works in the Old Testament

Last updated on: June 13, 2026 at 1:10 pm by Dave Armstrong

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Unregenerate Good Works in the Old Testament 2026-06-13T13:10:08-04:00 Dave Armstrong

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. . . Over Against the Calvinist Notion of Total Depravity

: Historical mixed media figure of John Calvin produced by artist/historian George S. Stuart and photographed by Peter d’Aprix: from the George S. Stuart Gallery of Historical Figures archive [Wikimedia Commons / Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license]

Calvinism teaches that the fall of man was more severe than all other Christians believe it was (what is called total depravity). Human beings are all so corrupted that even ostensibly good works they do — before regeneration — are tainted by sin and done for the wrong motives, etc. (so Calvinists tell us). Renowned Presbyterian Calvinist Charles Hodge, who lived from 1797 to 1878, explained the doctrine of total depravity in his standard work, Systematic Theology:

Protestant doctrine . . . teaches that such is the nature of inherent, hereditary depravity that men since the fall are utterly unable . . . to do anything truly good in his sight . . .

This want of power of spiritual discernment arises from the corruption of our whole nature, by which the reason or understanding is blinded, and the taste and feelings are perverted. (Systematic Theology, abridged one-volume version, edited by Edward N. Gross [Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House, 1988], 308; italics added)

According to John Calvin, an unregenerate man is utterly incapable of “charity towards [his] neighbour” and he believes that “the will . . . was so enslaved by depraved lusts as to be incapable of one righteous desire” (Institutes of the Christian Religion, Henry Beveridge translation, 1845, Book II, ch. 2, sec. 12). Moreover, Calvin wrote that:

This perversity in us never ceases, . . . our nature is not only utterly devoid of goodness, but so prolific in all kinds of evil, that it can never be idle. (Ibid., Book II, ch. 1, sec. 8)

The whole man, from the crown of the head to the sole of the foot, is so deluged, as it were, that no part remains exempt from sin, and, therefore, everything which proceeds from him is imputed as sin. (Ibid., Book II, ch. 1, sec. 9)

Despite these citations, I’ll inevitably be accused by Calvinists of not understanding their doctrine. I do. For a thorough Calvinist explanation, see the article, “The Doctrine of ‘Total Depravity’ “, by John Reisinger, at Monergism.com. Whether all Calvinists accept the aspects highlighted above by Hodge and Calvin, I don’t know. Maybe they don’t. But I am disagreeing with these opinions. I’d be delighted if other Calvinists disagreed with them.

There are great areas of agreement between Catholics and Calvinists with regard to original sin. Catholics fully agree that we cannot save ourselves (grace alone); that it requires an act of pure grace on God’s part to initially justify and regenerate us. We also agree that God’s grace is required for any truly good work to be performed. We disagree with the Calvinist view of the extent of the fall of man and the corruption within human beings and human nature prior to regeneration (and after, too, for that matter). The views of Hodge and Calvin cited above are extreme and unbiblical.

Here are the “universal negative” Old Testament passages that Calvinists erroneously utilize to uphold their view and universalize depravity. Understood in context, they are clearly instances of hyperbolic exaggeration:

Genesis 6:5 (RSV) The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. (cf. 8:21)

[This refers only to the people on the earth at the time of Noah’s Flood, and even then exceptions occurred in Noah’s family, and the Bible describes Noah as follows: “Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation; Noah walked with God“: Genesis 6:9]

Psalm 12:1 . . . there is no longer any that is godly; for the faithful have vanished from among the sons of men.

[Context: Psalm 11:5, 7 The LORD tests the righteous and the wicked, . . . [7] For the LORD . . . loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold his face.]

Psalm 14:1-3 The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds, there is none that does good.[2] The LORD looks down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there are any that act wisely, that seek after God. [3] They have all gone astray, they are all alike corrupt; there is none that does good, no not one. (Paul cites this in Rom 3:10-12: “as it is written: ‘None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands, no one seeks for God. All have turned aside, together they have gone wrong; no one does good, not even one.’ “)

[Context: Psalm 14:5 . . . God is with the generation of the righteous. / Psalm 15:2 He who walks blamelessly, and does what is right, . . .]

Psalm 53:1-3 The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, doing abominable iniquity; there is none that does good. [2] God looks down from heaven upon the sons of men to see if there are any that are wise, that seek after God. [3] They have all fallen away; they are all alike depraved; there is none that does good, no, not one.

[Context: Psalm 52:6 The righteous shall see, and fear, . . . / Psalm 52:9 I will proclaim thy name, for it is good, in the presence of the godly.]

Psalm 143:2 . . . no man living is righteous before thee.

[Context: Psalm 142:7 . . . The righteous will surround me . . .]

Ecclesiastes 7:20 Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.

[Context: Ecclesiastes 8:14 . . . there are righteous men . . . the righteous. / Ecclesiastes 9:1-2 . . . the righteous and the wise and their deeds are in the hand of God . . . [2] since one fate comes to all, to the righteous and the wicked, to the good and the evil, . . . As is the good man, so is the sinner; . . .]

Isaiah 64:6-7 We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. . . . [7] There is no one that calls upon thy name, . . .

[Near context: Isaiah 57:2 . . . they rest in their beds who walk in their uprightness. / Isaiah 58:2 . . . they delight to draw near to God.]

Micah 7:2 The godly man has perished from the earth, and there is none upright among men; they all lie in wait for blood, and each hunts his brother with a net.

[Same book: Micah 2:7 . . . Do not my words do good to him who walks uprightly?]

Although no doubt many of the examples I will provide refer to those who were indeed plainly or arguably regenerated (I’ve tried to exclude all of those known to be about people like Moses, David, Abraham, Job, the prophets, and about Israel as the chosen people, etc.), it’s very difficult, if not impossible, to explain all of them in that way. The Old Testament writers also casually assume that human beings are capable of following God’s commands (and God appears to think that, too; or else His commands would be a mere ruse or absurdity; never able to be followed: see Deuteronomy 12:28 below; 30:14-20).

At a minimum, lots of these passages simply don’t read the way they should if total depravity is true. One has to “work very hard” to squeeze that out of all of these texts.

***

Genesis 26:29 . . . we have not touched you and have done to you nothing but good . . .

Exodus 20:6 but showing steadfast love to thousands of

those who love me and keep my commandments

. (cf. Deut 5:10)

Deuteronomy 7:9 Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with

those who love him and keep his commandments

, . . .

Deuteronomy 12:28 Be careful to

heed all these words which I command you

, that it may go well with you and with your children after you for ever, when you do what is good and right in the sight of the LORD your God.

Deuteronomy 30:16 If you obey the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you this day, by loving the LORD your God, by walking in his ways, and by

keeping his commandments and his statutes and his ordinances

, then you shall live and multiply, . . .

Joshua 24:31 And

Israel served the LORD all the days of Joshua

, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua . . . (cf. Jud 2:7)

Judges 10:16 So they put away the foreign gods from among them and served the LORD . . .

1 Samuel 7:4 So Israel put away the Baals and the Ashtaroth, and they served the LORD only.

1 Samuel 12:23 . . . I will instruct you in the good and the right way.

1 Samuel 26:23 The LORD rewards every man for

his righteousness and his faithfulness

. . .

2 Samuel 4:11 . . . wicked men have slain a righteous man . . .

2 Samuel 18:27 . . . He is a good man . . .

2 Samuel 23:20 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was a valiant man of Kabzeel, a doer of great deeds . . . (cf. 1 Chr 11:22)

1 Kings 2:32 . . . he attacked and slew with the sword

two men more righteous and better than himself

. . .

1 Kings 8:32 . . . vindicating the righteous by rewarding him according to his righteousness. (cf. 2 Chr 6:23)

1 Chronicles 16:10 . . . let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice!

2 Chronicles 6:27 . . .

the good way in which they should walk

. . .

2 Chronicles 11:16 . . . those who had set their hearts to seek the LORD God of Israel . . .

2 Chronicles 15:12 And they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD, the God of their fathers,

with all their heart and with all their soul

;

2 Chronicles 16:9 For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show his might in behalf of those whose heart is blameless toward him.

2 Chronicles 19:11 . . . Deal courageously, and may the LORD be with the upright!”

2 Chronicles 20:4 And Judah assembled to seek help from the LORD; from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD.

2 Chronicles 23:6 Let no one enter the house of the LORD except the priests and ministering Levites; they may enter, for they are holy, . . .

2 Chronicles 29:34 . . . for the Levites were more upright in heart than the priests in sanctifying themselves.

2 Chronicles 31:18 The priests were enrolled with all their little children, their wives, their sons, and their daughters, the whole multitude; for they were faithful in keeping themselves holy.

Job 8:20 Behold, God will not reject a blameless man, . . .

Nehemiah 1:5 . . . God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with

those who love him and keep his commandments

;

Psalm 1:5-6 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; [6] for the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

Psalm 7:10 My shield is with God, who saves the upright in heart.

Psalm 11:2 for lo, the wicked bend the bow, they have fitted their arrow to the string, to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart;

Psalm 11:5, 7 The LORD tests the righteous and the wicked, . . . [7] For the LORD is righteous, he loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold his face.

Psalm 14:5 . . . God is with the generation of the righteous.

Psalm 15:1-2 . . . Who shall dwell on thy holy hill? [2] He who walks blamelessly, and does what is right, and speaks truth from his heart;

Psalm 31:18 Let the lying lips be dumb, which speak insolently against the righteous in pride and contempt.

Psalm 32:6 Therefore let every one who is godly offer prayer to thee . . .

Psalm 32:11 Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!

Psalm 33:1 Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous! Praise befits the upright.

Psalm 34:10 . . . those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.

Psalm 34:15, 17, 19, 21 The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous, and his ears toward their cry. . . . [17] When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. . . . [19] Many are the afflictions of the righteous; but the LORD delivers him out of them all. . . . [21] . . . those who hate the righteous will be condemned.

Psalm 36:10 O continue thy steadfast love to those who know thee, and thy salvation to the upright of heart!

Psalm 37:12, 14 The wicked plots against the righteous, and gnashes his teeth at him; . . . [14]. . . those who walk uprightly;

Psalm 37:16-18 Better is a little that the righteous has than the abundance of many wicked. [17] . . . the LORD upholds the righteous. [18] The LORD knows the days of the blameless, and their heritage will abide for ever;

Psalm 37:21, 25 . . . the righteous is generous and gives; . . . [25] . . . I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging bread.

Psalm 37:28-30, 32 . . . The righteous shall be preserved for ever, . . . [29] The righteous shall possess the land, and dwell upon it for ever. [30] The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice. . . . [32] The wicked watches the righteous, and seeks to slay him.

Psalm 37:37, 39 Mark the blameless man, and behold the upright, for there is posterity for the man of peace. . . . [39] The salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; he is their refuge in the time of trouble.

Psalm 52:1 Why do you boast, O mighty man, of mischief done against the godly? . . .

Psalm 52:6 The righteous shall see, and fear, . . .

Psalm 52:9 I will proclaim thy name, for it is good, in the presence of the godly.

Psalm 55:22 . . . he will never permit the righteous to be moved.

Psalm 64:2-4 hide me from the secret plots of the wicked, from the scheming of evildoers, [3] who whet their tongues like swords, who aim bitter words like arrows, [4] shooting from ambush at the blameless, . . .

Psalm 64:10 Let the righteous rejoice in the LORD, and take refuge in him! Let all the upright in heart glory!

Psalm 68:3 . . . let the righteous be joyful; . . .

Psalm 69:28 Let them be blotted out of the book of the living; let them not be enrolled among the righteous.

Psalm 73:1 Truly God is good to the upright, to those who are pure in heart.

Psalm 84:11 . . . No good thing does the LORD withhold from those who walk uprightly.

Psalm 92:12 The righteous flourish like the palm tree, and grow like a cedar in Lebanon.

Psalm 94:15 for justice will return to the righteous, and all the upright in heart will follow it.

Psalm 94:21 They band together against the life of the righteous, . . .

Psalm 97:11-12 Light dawns for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart. [12] Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous, . . .

Psalm 103:18

those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments

Psalm 105:3 . . . let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice!

Psalm 106:3 Blessed are they who observe justice, who do righteousness at all times!

Psalm 107:42 The upright see it and are glad; . . .

Psalm 111:1 . . . in the company of the upright, in the congregation.

Psalm 111:7-8 . . . all his precepts are trustworthy, [8] they are established for ever and ever, to be

performed with faithfulness and uprightness

Psalm 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who practice it. . . .

Psalm 112:1-4, 6, 9 . . . Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in his commandments! [2] . . . the generation of the upright will be blessed. [3] Wealth and riches are in his house; and

his righteousness endures for ever

. [4] Light rises in the darkness for the upright; . . . [6] . . . the righteous will never be moved . . . [9] He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor;

his righteousness endures for ever

; his horn is exalted in honor.

Psalm 116:1 I love the LORD, because he has heard my voice and my supplications.

Psalm 119:2 Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD!

Psalm 119:7 I will

praise thee with an upright heart

, when I learn thy righteous ordinances.

Psalm 119:30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness, I set thy ordinances before me.

Psalm 119:51 . . .

I do not turn away from thy law

Psalm 119:55 I . . . keep thy law.

Psalm 119:56 . . . I have kept thy precepts.

Psalm 119:60

I hasten and do not delay to keep thy commandments.

Psalm 119:61 . . . I do not forget thy law.

Psalm 119:63 . . . those who keep thy precepts.

Psalm 119:69 . . .

with my whole heart I keep thy precepts;

Psalm 119:87 . . .

I have not forsaken thy precepts.

Psalm 119:102

I do not turn aside from thy ordinances

, for thou hast taught me.

Psalm 119:109 . . . I do not forget thy law.

Psalm 119:110 . . . I do not stray from thy precepts.

Psalm 119:128 . . .

I direct my steps by all thy precepts

. . .

Psalm 119:141 . . . I do not forget thy precepts.

Psalm 119:153 . . . I do not forget thy law.

Psalm 119:166 I hope for thy salvation, O LORD, and I do thy commandments.

Psalm 119:168

I keep thy precepts and testimonies, for all my ways are before thee

Psalm 119:173 . . . I have chosen thy precepts.

Psalm 119:176 . . .

I do not forget thy commandments

Psalm 125:3-4 For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest upon the land allotted to the righteous, lest the righteous put forth their hands to do wrong. [4] Do good, O LORD, to those who are good, and to

those who are upright in their hearts

Psalm 128:1, 4 Blessed is every one who fears the LORD, who walks in his ways! [4] Lo, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the LORD.

Psalm 140:13 Surely the righteous shall give thanks to thy name; the upright shall dwell in thy presence.

Psalm 141:5 . . . a good man . . .

Psalm 142:7 . . . The righteous will surround me . . .

Psalm 146:8 . . . the LORD loves the righteous.

Proverbs 2:7 he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity,

Proverbs 2:13 who forsake the paths of uprightness . . .

Proverbs 2:21 For the upright will inhabit the land, and men of integrity will remain in it;

Proverbs 3:32-33 for the perverse man is an abomination to the LORD, but the upright are in his confidence. [33] . . . he blesses the abode of the righteous.

Proverbs 4:18 . . . the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn . . .

Proverbs 8:17 I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me.

Proverbs 9:9 . . . teach a righteous man and he will increase in learning.

Proverbs 10:3 The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry, . . .

Proverbs 10:6-7, 11 Blessings are on the head of the righteous, . . . [7] The memory of the righteous is a blessing, . . . [11] The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, . . .

Proverbs 10:16 The wage of the righteous leads to life, . . .

Proverbs 10:20-21 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; . . . [21] The lips of the righteous feed many, . . .

Proverbs 10:24-25 . . . the desire of the righteous will be granted. [25] . . . the righteous is established for ever. . . .

Proverbs 10:28-32 The hope of the righteous ends in gladness, . . . [29] The LORD is a stronghold to him whose way is upright, . . . [30] The righteous will never be removed, . . . [31] The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, . . . [32] The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, . . .

Proverbs 11:3, 5-6 The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them. . . . [5] The righteousness of the blameless keeps his way straight, but the wicked falls by his own wickedness. [6] The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the treacherous are taken captive by their lust.

Proverbs 11:8-11 The righteous is delivered from trouble, . . . [9] . . . by knowledge the righteous are delivered. [10] When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices; . . . [11] By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, . . .

Proverbs 11:18-21, 23 . . . one who sows righteousness gets a sure reward. [19] He who is steadfast in righteousness will live, . . . [20] . . . those of blameless ways are his delight. [21] . . . but those who are righteous will be delivered. . . . [23] The desire of the righteous ends only in good; . . .

Proverbs 11:28 . . . the righteous will flourish like a green leaf. . . .

Proverbs 11:30-31 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, . . . [31] If the righteous is requited on earth, how much more the wicked and the sinner!

Proverbs 12:2-3, 5-7, 10, 12-13 A good man obtains favor from the LORD, . . . [3] . . . the root of the righteous will never be moved. . . . [5] The thoughts of the righteous are just; . . . [6] . . . the mouth of the upright delivers men. [7] . . . the house of the righteous will stand. . . . [10] A righteous man has regard for the life of his beast, . . . [12] . . . the root of the righteous stands firm. [13] . . . the righteous escapes from trouble.

Proverbs 12:26 A righteous man turns away from evil, . . .

Proverbs 13:2, 6 From the fruit of his mouth a good man eats good, . . . [6] Righteousness guards him whose way is upright, but sin overthrows the wicked.

Proverbs 13:5, 9, 21, 25 “righteous[ness]”: 4 times

Proverbs 13:22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the sinner’s wealth is laid up for the righteous.

Proverbs 14:2 He who walks in uprightness fears the LORD, . . .

Proverbs 14:9, 11 . . . the upright enjoy his favor. . . . [11] . . . the tent of the upright will flourish.

Proverbs 14:14 A perverse man will be filled with the fruit of his ways, and a good man with the fruit of his deeds.

Proverbs 14:19, 34 “righteous[ness]”: 2 times

Proverbs 14:32 . . . the righteous finds refuge through his integrity.

Proverbs 15:6, 9, 28-29 “righteous[ness]”: 4 times

Proverbs 15:8 . . . the prayer of the upright is his delight.

Proverbs 15:19 . . . the path of the upright is a level highway.

Proverbs 16:8, 12-13, 31 “righteous[ness]”: 4 times

Proverbs 16:17 The highway of the upright turns aside from evil; he who guards his way preserves his life.

Proverbs 17:15, 26 “righteous”: 2 times

Proverbs 18:5, 10 “righteous”: 2 times

Proverbs 19:1 Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a man who is perverse in speech, and is a fool.

Proverbs 20:7 A righteous man who walks in his integrity — blessed are his sons after him!

Proverbs 21:8 . . .

the conduct of the pure is right.

Proverbs 21:12, 15, 21, 26 “righteous[ness]”: 4 times

Proverbs 21:18 The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, and the faithless for the upright.

Proverbs 21:29 . . . an upright man considers his ways.

Proverbs 23:24 The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; . . .

Proverbs 24:15-16 “righteous”: 2 times

Proverbs 25:26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.

Proverbs 28:1, 12, 28 “righteous”: 3 times

Proverbs 28:5-6 Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD understand it completely. [6] Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is perverse in his ways.

Proverbs 28:10 He who misleads the upright into an evil way will fall into his own pit; but the blameless will have a goodly inheritance.

Proverbs 28:18 He who walks in integrity will be delivered, . . .

Proverbs 29:2, 6-7, 16, 27 “righteous”: 5 times

Proverbs 29:10 Bloodthirsty men hate one who is blameless, . . .

Ecclesiastes 8:14 . . . there are righteous men . . . the righteous.

Ecclesiastes 9:1-2 . . . the righteous and the wise and their deeds are in the hand of God . . . [2] since one fate comes to all, to the righteous and the wicked, to the good and the evil, to the clean and the unclean, to him who sacrifices and him who does not sacrifice. As is the good man, so is the sinner; and he who swears is as he who shuns an oath.

Ecclesiastes 12:14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.

Isaiah 3:10 Tell the righteous that it shall be well with them, for they shall eat the fruit of their deeds.

Isaiah 26:7 The way of the righteous is level; thou dost make smooth the path of the righteous.

Isaiah 26:9 . . . when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness.

Isaiah 33:15 He who walks righteously and speaks uprightly, . . .

Isaiah 51:1 . . . you who seek the LORD . . .

Isaiah 51:7 Hearken to me, you who know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law . . .

Isaiah 57:2 . . . they rest in their beds who walk in their uprightness.

Isaiah 58:2 . . . they delight to draw near to God.

Jeremiah 20:12 O LORD of hosts, who triest the righteous, . . .

Ezekiel 3:20-21 Again, if a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and I lay a stumbling block before him, he shall die; because you have not warned him, he shall die for his sin, and his righteous deeds which he has done shall not be remembered; but his blood I will require at your hand. [21] Nevertheless if you warn the righteous man not to sin, and he does not sin, he shall surely live, because he took warning; and you will have saved your life.” (cf. 18:24, 26; 33:12-13, 18)

Ezekiel 13:22 . . . you have disheartened the righteous falsely . . .

Ezekiel 18:5 If a man is righteous and does what is lawful and right — . . .

Ezekiel 18:9 . . . walks in my statutes, and is

careful to observe my ordinances

— he is righteous, he shall surely live, says the Lord GOD.

Ezekiel 18:20 The soul that sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son;

the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself

, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself. . . .

Ezekiel 18:22 None of the transgressions which he has committed shall be remembered against him;

for the righteousness which he has done he shall live

Ezekiel 21:3-4 “righteous”: 2 times

Ezekiel 23:45 But righteous men shall pass judgment on them . . .

Ezekiel 28:15

You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created

, till iniquity was found in you.

Daniel 9:4 . . .

those who love him and keep his commandments,

Hosea 14:9 . . . the ways of the LORD are right, and the upright walk in them,

Amos 2:6 . . . they sell the righteous for silver . . .

Amos 5:12 . . . you who afflict the righteous . . .

Micah 2:7 . . . Do not my words do good to him who walks uprightly?

Habakkuk 1:4, 13 “righteous”: 2 times

Habakkuk 2:4 Behold, he whose soul is not upright in him shall fail, but

the righteous shall live by his faith

Zephaniah 2:3 Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, who do his commands; . . .

Malachi 3:18 Then once more you shall distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him.

“Blameless” & “Pure” in the Bible (Sinless?): 40 Passages [12-12-24]

“All Have Sinned” vs. a Sinless, Immaculate Mary? [1996; revised and posted at National Catholic Register on 12-11-17]

VIDEO: Total Depravity Debunked by the Bible [see also the transcript of the initial presentation] [with Kenny Burchard at Catholic Bible Highlights, 1-21-26]

Reply to a Calvinist Defender of Total Depravity [related to the video immediately above] [1-23-26]

Total Depravity: Reply to James White: Calvinism and Romans 3:10-11 (“None is Righteous . . . No One Seeks For God”) [4-15-07]

Perfectly Keeping the Law: 15 Bible Passages [12-12-24]

Transformation of Believers in the NT: 150 Passages (Regeneration is Only the Beginning . . .) [12-16-24]

***

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Photo credit: Historical mixed media figure of John Calvin produced by artist/historian George S. Stuart and photographed by Peter d’Aprix: from the George S. Stuart Gallery of Historical Figures archive [Wikimedia Commons / Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license]

Summary: Calvinists exaggerate the extent of the fall of man in their doctrine of total depravity. I collect 175 Old Testament passages about good works of unregenerate people.

Calvinism & General Protestantism

Jews & Judaism & Old Testament

blamelessness

Calvinism

good men in the Old Testament

Righteous People in the Old Testament

righteousness

total depravity

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January 30, 2026

Foreword: "Ignorance of Things Divine" (Andrew Mioni)