Total Depravity: What Does Calvinism Actually Mean?

Total depravity is one of the most misunderstood parts of Calvinism—and this conversation shows why. Hunter Davis and Brent Bolerjack unpack what the doctrine actually claims, where many Christians unknowingly agree with only part of it, and why the real issue is not whether sin affects every part of us, but whether a person can respond to God before regeneration. For listeners trying to make sense of TULIP, this episode cuts through the confusion. Hunter and Brent examine the common assumption that spiritual deadness means total incapacity, then explore the passages Calvinists often use to defend the doctrine—including Romans 1, Ephesians 2, Romans 8, John 6, 1 Corinthians 2, and more. In this episode, you’ll discover: Why faith is not the same thing as works in Romans 4 How Romans 1 and Psalm 19 frame God’s first move Why Ephesians 2 may not prove what Calvinism says it proves What John 12 adds to the drawing language in John 6 How 1 Corinthians 2 makes more sense when read in context Whether regeneration precedes faith—or faith precedes eternal life Brent Bolerjack brings a clear theological defense of the non-Calvinist reading, while Hunter Davis pushes the conversation toward the practical question underneath it all: if God is drawing, convicting, and revealing Himself, what exactly is humanity unable to do—and what are people still able to do in response? If you’ve ever heard “total depravity” used as shorthand for “man cannot respond to God at all,” this episode will sharpen your understanding and encourage you to reexamine the scriptures for yourself.