Sometimes I do wonder if there seems to be an over-emphasis on the total depravity and the total inability of humankind. I know that if Karl Barth were to be alive and somehow found his way into the e-world, he’d probably initiate a turbulent debate with me over this in the “comments” column. But I’m truly beginning to think if perhaps there’s at least some truth in the argument for human potential advanced by those we frequently call the “liberals” (if you’re from America, I’m not referring to the political liberals but the theological liberals).

I’m increasingly beginning to find that when we expressly show that we don’t believe in people’s potentials and aren’t willing to trust in their abilities, they actually fall for that lie. Conversely, if we show that we believe in their ability to achieve and exhibit a level of trust and confidence in them, they try their best to live up to it - and many actually hit the mark. I experienced this even with my students in the seminary. Some of the students actually did better for my subject than they did for other subjects. It isn't to my credit. All I did was believe in them and show them that I did. They did everything else themselves.

I see parents who’re extremely earnest, but who look at their children’s faults and shake their heads in disapproval. I see teachers who toil days on end at work, but who talk to their students as if they’re lesser people and have no capacity to understand the deeper things. I see middle-class Christians who give generously to poorer neighbours, but do so as if they’re doing them (or maybe even God) a favour.

What’s the point of doing all these things if we cannot somehow see things through the eyes of the God who touched the lepers, sat with the sinners, and loved the adulteress? What’s the point of disseminating our privileges to others if we cannot help people to receive from us with dignity and help them realise that somehow they too can be better people than they already are? We may not realise this, but when we give to others without honouring their dignity, it actually further robs them of their inherent worth.

When we approach the world with the lenses of total depravity, we likewise treat others as if they’re more depraved than us. But when we appreciate the value of the human person and of all creation, we begin to accord honour and trust to others because we believe that they too can become like us. And maybe they too can even help us become better people.