True to the Bible

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.  

When suffering hits, the question is not just “Will God be glorified?” but “Does His love still meet me here?” Hunter Davis and Jacquelyn Davis explore a tension many believers quietly wrestle with: the difference between God's glory and God's love, and why getting that balance wrong can be especially painful in the middle of a trial. Jacquelyn brings a deeply personal perspective shaped by years in ministry, missionary work, burnout, and member care. She opens up about what it felt like to pour her life into serving God, then face depression, identity loss, and the difficult question: If God is glorified no matter what, what is my life actually for? Together, Hunter and Jacquelyn unpack: - Why John 3:16 and Philippians 2 matter when considering what motivated Christ - How Isaiah 43 holds God's glory and love together - Why “God will be glorified” is true, but may not always be the most helpful first response to someone who is suffering - What Scripture teaches about trials developing perseverance, maturity, and peace - How Joseph's story shows God's power to redeem evil without being the author of it This episode offers a thoughtful, pastoral way to understand suffering—one that protects God's holiness without portraying Him as distant or uncaring. Hunter and Jacquelyn remind hurting people that they are not merely pieces in a cosmic plan, but individuals invited into a real relationship with a loving Father. Whether you are walking through pain, counseling someone who is, or trying to understand how God's glory, human choice, suffering, and redemption fit together, this conversation offers encouragement and hope. Healing is not linear, but the God who redeems is still at work.  

  ## **EPISODE DESCRIPTION - Ready to publish** Calvinism raises a question that changes everything: if God is sovereign, does that mean He authors every choice, every sin, and every outcome? Hunter Davis and Brent Bolerjack push into that tension and make the case that God's sovereignty is bigger than control, and far more hopeful than a system that leaves believers guessing. Using Genesis 50:20, Joseph, Pharaoh, Saul, and the warning passages in Hebrews, Hunter and Brent unpack where they believe Calvinism goes too far - especially when it turns warnings meant for believers into tests of whether someone was ever truly saved. Along the way, they challenge the idea that salvation can be measured by enough fruit, enough consistency, or enough visible proof. You'll discover why they think Calvinism can backload the gospel with works, blur the line between salvation and discipleship, and create a cycle of doubt that keeps believers rechecking their status instead of resting in Christ. They also dig into church discipline, persistent sin, and why some theology can quietly push struggling Christians toward fear instead of restoration. Hunter and Brent also tackle the bigger implications: can this framework unintentionally give people license to sin, make them question God's goodness, or leave them unsure whether His love is really for everyone? Those are the stakes of the conversation, and they matter if you've ever wrestled with assurance, election, warning passages, or what it actually means to be saved. If you want a serious, scripture-driven critique of Calvinism that stays focused on the text and the practical consequences for real believers, this episode will sharpen your thinking and give you fresh language for one of the most contested debates in Christianity.  

  # **EPISODE DESCRIPTION - Ready to publish** A fresh series on Calvinism kicks off with a blunt, Bible-first question: what do the five points actually mean, and what happens when people build a whole theology on assumptions about election, free will, and grace? Hunter Davis and Brent Bolerjack pull apart TULIP from the ground up and ask whether the system really holds together - or whether it creates bigger problems than it solves. Hunter and Brent are not coming at this as Calvinists. That makes the conversation sharper, more honest, and more useful for anyone who has heard the terms tossed around but never really sorted out what they mean. Brent lays out each point of TULIP - total depravity, unconditional election, limited atonement, irresistible grace, and perseverance of the saints - while Hunter pushes on the history, the definitions, and the practical impact on evangelism, assurance, and the character of God. You'll discover: - Why election, not depravity, may be the real crux of the Calvinism debate - How the history of Calvinism, Arminius, and the Council of Dort complicates the simple five-point summary most people know - Why “dead in trespasses and sins” is at the center of the argument over whether humans can respond to the gospel - The tension between God's desire for all to be saved and the deterministic logic of Calvinism - Why limited atonement and irresistible grace are often the hardest points to defend biblically Brent also breaks down the practical pitfalls he sees in Calvinism - from shifting blame away from human responsibility to turning salvation assurance inward, where believers start measuring themselves against an invisible standard of perseverance instead of resting in Christ. Hunter adds a strong warning about how definitions get distorted when Bible words like “saved” and “elect” are pulled out of context and reinserted with a predetermined meaning. This is not a detached theology lecture. It's a real conversation about how doctrine shapes the way you read Scripture, how you talk to lost people, and how you think about God Himself. If Calvinism has ever confused you, frustrated you, or become something you hear discussed without fully understanding, this episode gives you a clear starting point. Essential listening for anyone who wants to think carefully about the five points, test them against Scripture, and understand why this series matters before the deeper debate begins.  

  # **Episode Description - Ready to publish** **The biggest shift in the Bible is not just salvation - it's access.** Hunter Davis shows how the Old Testament repeatedly warns people away from God, then contrasts that with the astonishing invitation believers have now through Christ: draw near, come boldly, and live with real closeness to God. From Eden to Mount Sinai to the Holy of Holies, Hunter traces the biblical pattern of separation caused by sin. He explains why Adam and Eve were driven from the garden, why even animals could not touch Sinai, why the high priest entered the veil only once a year, and why Uzzah died after reaching for the ark. Each moment builds the same case: God is holy, sin separates, and no one could casually approach Him. You will discover: - Why "access to God" is a different idea from salvation, and why that distinction matters - How the veil, the tabernacle, and the Holy of Holies reveal the seriousness of God's holiness - What changed when Jesus died and the temple veil was torn from top to bottom - Why Hebrews, James, and Mark together show a new reality for believers - How the Holy Spirit, prayer, sanctification, and daily Christian life fit into this new access Hunter also makes the practical case for why this matters now. Believers are not just saved for eternity - they are invited into nearness today. That means prayer, repentance, wisdom, parenting, marriage, and spiritual growth are all meant to happen with a real awareness of God's presence, not as religious routine but as privilege. If you have ever taken your relationship with God for granted, this episode is a needed reset. Essential listening for Christians who want to understand what Christ truly opened for them - and why drawing near is now the whole point.  

Jesus meets grief with both truth and compassion, showing that God's timing is not ours and his power is greater than our expectations.

In this lesson we see Jesus telling the disciples of what they will do once He is gone. In this sad time we see some great and comforting news, do you know what it is? Find out in todays TTB Podcast.

In this lesson we see some bad news, as well as some good news that the disciples receive from Jesus. What is this news and how does it effect us as believers today? We will find this out and more in todays TTB podcast.

In this lesson in John 13 we see Jesus give a new command, but what was the old command? What does this command mean? We will answer these questions and more in todays lesson.

One of the greatest examples of being a servant from Jesus to His disciples is when He washed their feet. However, this is not the only example we have. Today we will see the foot washing and look at HOW this this service was not self focused, but others focused.

In this lesson we see that the religious leaders suppress or push down the truth about Who Jesus is. This is something that we too are guilty of. we push down the truths that make us look bad or that expose us as sinners. Eventually ending in a callus heart.

In this lesson we see the Triumphal Entry of Jesus and how that big day, would be a temptation for Him. Jesus always does the will of the Father, despite what temptations might come.

What is the greatest sign Jesus did other than His own resurrection? Some might argue that it is this sing from John 11. Jesus preforms one of the greatest signs, as well as uses an I AM statement to show all people who He is.

In this lesson we see that Jesus loves and knows His sheep and that no one can take the sheep from Him. He is the ultimate protector and provider.

In this lesson over John 10:1-21 we see a powerful and amazing illustration from Jesus who claims to be the good Shepherd. This claim is not one of a distant god demanding respect, but of a loving protector who knows his sheep.

In this lesson we see that the man born blind whom Jesus healed stand sup for truth, even when he is pressured to deny the work of God in his life. His meeting with Jesus changed his life and he proclaimed that to all, just like we should do when God changes us.

In this lesson we see the 6th sign in John. In John 9 we find a man born blind who Jesus heals. We can see by the reactions of the people surrounding the man that although some may believe and attribute the work to God, other are skeptical of the miraculous work.

In this passage at the end of John 8 we see one of the greatest statements by Jesus about His deity and eternality. The Jewish leaders ask three questions that are intended to mock Jesus, yet Jesus replies to each of them with wisdom and shows the leaders who He is really claiming to be.

In this lesson we look at the middle of John 8 and see that pride and the lies of the world can blind us from the truth. However, Jesus is the Truth, the Light that illuminates not only the way of salvation, but also the way of sanctification. Through Christ alone, we can be set free. 

"I AM the Light of the World" is one of the most famous quotes of Jesus. In John 8:12-24 we see that when He says this, the leaders of the Jews try to challenge it with to no avail. In this lesson we look at what Jesus says in reply to them and at some other scripture that shows us that we too are to be lights to the world, to point others to THE LIGHT, Jesus.

From John Chapter 8 verses 12-24 we see the famous passage of Jesus saying that He is the light of the world. We can also see the leaders challenging this and Jesús answering them well. We will also take a look at some other passages that show us that we too are to be lights, pointing to THE LIGHT Jesus.

In this lesson we see John 8:1-11 and the section of Scripture that some say was not in the original text. We will look at this claim and then how this section of the Word fits with the text and shows us Jesus as the Merciful Savior, which is John's goal. How can we be merciful if Christ is merciful? 

In this lesson of John 7 we see several groups of people who believe several different things about Jesus. Some that He is a prophet, some that he is a false prophet, others who are unsure, and some who believe that He is the Messiah. However, even those who believe that He is the Messiah had different reactions when they saw that others did not believe. 

This week we will look at the middle of John chapter 7 where Jesus teaches and many different opinions get circulated about Him. We see that some believe, but many don't seek truth and therefore do not find it. They accept the things which they have heard but do not seek the truth.

In this episode we look at John 7 where Jesus goes down to the feast of booths. Many there are in fear of the Jewish Leaders and therefore not speaking of Jesus openly. Jesus on the other hand speaks boldly about the Father despite what others think of Him.

In this episode, we see Jesus talking to the people about the author of salvation who is the Father. The Son is the way, and the Spirit is the illumination. Jesus in this section teaches of the drawing of the Father and we see that God is drawing all men to be saved, yet some do not believe.

In this episode we look at John chapter 6 when Jesus begins his discourse the morning after the feeding of the 5,000. We see that he strongly emphasizes the security of the believer and the authority of the Father. Three times in this powerful section Jesus says, never in no way. We also see the first I AM statement of John.

In this episode we continue our journey through John and see the 5th sign, from John chapter 6. In this sign we see that Jesus is giving his disciples yet another test, but one that is a bit more difficult. We can take direct application by learning from the trials of the disciples and by gaining wisdom through defeats and successes.

In this lesson over John 6:1-14 we see Jesus as the provider, making bread and fish out of nothing and feeding a multitude of people. This miracle is the 4th sign in the book of John and is a very important sign showing Jesus as the creator, as well as showing us other things about Him. These things can help us in trial and testing to run to Jesus.

In this episode we look at the end of John chapter 5 where Jesus calls four witnesses for himself as the Messiah. Many would come claiming the Messiah role, but only Jesus had these witnesses in his favor. At the end of the day in the courtroom, Jesus has the evidence on His side.

In this section we are looking at John chapter 5 where Jesus replies to the Jews after they get mad at his miracle at the pool of Bethesda. We will see in today's section of scripture that the gospel is clear and easy to understand. We will also see the Great White Throne Judgment and look at who will be standing there.

In this lesson we will be going over John 5:1-18. 

This is John 4:27-54 where John relates the powerful second sign as well as an interaction with a Samaritan town. We can see the different responses of the Galileans and the Samaritans and take direct application.

In this lesson we see the meeting of Jesus with the Woman at the well. This popular account shows us many things, one of which is that Jesus desires all people to believe in Him.

One of the most quoted statements by John the Baptist shows his view and his understanding of his role in life. What is our role and how can we live out the role that God has for us? Let's look at John the Baptist and see an example of how we should view our roles.

In this episode we see John 3 and the meeting with a man who is religious but doesn't have a relationship with Jesus. How does Jesus respond to this man and what truths do we see that we can apply to our lives?

The end of John 2 Jesus shows us zeal. What is zeal and how it is used in the right way. What is the Best Zeal?

In this lesson we see the wedding in Cana and the first sign that Jesus preforms in John. We look at the reason for the sign and the what this sign tells us about Jesus and Who He Is.

In this lesson we will look at the geography and timeline of the happenings of John 1 and John 2. Brent Bolerjack will show some of the top ideas behind Jesus' travel in these first days. 

In this lesson we see from 2 Peter 3:9 that God is Relentlessly Pursuing mankind, and then we see 3 examples of this from scripture. God is personally pursuing each of these individuals and he is pursuing us as well.

In this Grow Group lesson, Gatlin Wilson teaches over 1 Peter 5 and how we should be humbly casting our cares on Christ.

The very start of Jesus' Ministry He is proclaimed by John as the Lamb of God. This proclamation is John's response when he realizes that Jesus is the Messiah. 

In this lesson we will see John 1:6-18 and the distinction that John the author makes between John the Baptist and Jesus.