Absence Quote by William Greenough Thayer Shedd
“Total depravity means the entire absence of holiness, not the highest intensity of sin. A totally depraved man is not as bad as he can be, but he has no holiness, that is, no supreme love of God”
About This Quote
It asserts that moral corruption is defined by the lack of divine love and holiness, not by the extremity of wrongdoing.
In simple terms: Moral emptiness, not sin intensity, defines depravity.
Key Takeaway
Holiness, not sin, is the core metric.
Themes
theology
ethics
human nature
spirituality
sin
love
Mood
reflective
serious
contemplative
Type
theological statement
moral observation
When to use this quote
- personal moral assessment
- spiritual counseling
- theological education
Key Concepts
absence of holiness
supreme love of God
Practical Applications
- ethical frameworks
- spiritual formation
Questions to Reflect On
- What does it mean to be 'holy' in daily life?
- How does love of the divine shape moral behavior?
