The first main heading of the doctrines of grace is total depravity, or radical depravity. This is the doctrine of man’s ruin in sin, and it serves as the black velvet backdrop upon which God’s saving grace is displayed. All mankind is born spiritually dead in trespasses and sin. Fallen man is totally depraved. Sin has radically affected the total man. That is, each part of man—his mind, emotion, and will—is defiled by sin. His mind is darkened, rendering him