49. Is Total Depravity in Scripture Alone?

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Total Depravity
Frank Frazetta Painting – Pretty good depiction of what it means to be enslaved to sin and unable to do anything about it.

Total depravity is a divisive doctrine within the Christian Church. This doctrine teaches that since the Fall of Man, all of mankind is in a state of complete corruption by sin. Our minds, bodies, spirit, emotions, desires, will, relationships – OUR EVERYTHING – is ruined by sin. The wreckage is so great that we can do nothing whatsoever to please God, draw near to him, or to please him. We are truly dead in our sin.

If we can do nothing to accept God, then that must mean our salvation is purely a gift. Scripture teaches that we are saved by grace through faith in Christ. (Ephesians 2:8) Most Christians recognize that grace is pure gift, but total depravity necessitates that the faith of believers must also be solely a gift, the work of God alone.

If faith is a gift of God, then why are some saved and the multitudes damned? Did God not love them? Did Christ not die for them? Did God not choose to save them?

These questions and many more rightly flow from a proper understanding of the doctrine of total depravity. Before addressing these questions, we must ask, “Does the Bible teach total depravity?” If this teaching can’t be found in Scripture alone, we should reject the doctrine. But if total depravity is in Scripture, we must address the questions of predestination, and we must do so from Scripture alone.

Show Links:

Travis Carden’s “Total Depravity Verse List”

Got Questions’ “Total Depravity – Is it Biblical?”

Theopedia’s Total Depravity Entry

48. Overcoming Depression and Anxiety

 

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Adam Cumpston, Author, Speaker, Teacher- This episode’s guest.

 

1 out of 6 adults will experience depression at some point in their life. Depression affects about 16 million Americans every year. Christians are not immune. For those who haven’t suffered with depression, the many devastating symptoms aren’t known or even understood when they are.

Adam Cumpston shares his bouts with depression and anxiety and how out of desperation, after trying all other options, he turned to God for healing, and he was healed.

Adam does a good job of taking his experience and making it applicable to everyone, since we all will face some sort of “storms” in our lives. Scripture speaks volumes to what Christians can gain from difficult times of sufferings and how even if we don’t experience healing in this life, God’s grace is sufficient for us.

As a take away for Reconnect, since this podcast is dedicated to sharing and defending the Good News of Jesus Christ, Adam spoke about the importance of memorizing Scripture so that we can defend ourselves against the lies of Satan with the truth of God’s Word. Typically, when we think of defending the Gospel, we might run to historical arguments, archaeological discoveries, philosophical arguments, or in-depth exegetical studies, but Adam reminds us that defending God’s Word can simply be knowing God’s Word so well that we can quote it when lies from our sinful nature, the world, and devil assault us.

Show Links:

Adam Cumpston’s Website

Adam’s book, 30 Days to Overcoming Depression and Anxiety

CDC – Mental Health Conditions: Depression and Anxiety

A blog post Andy wrote, “Praying for God’s Healing”

47. Are Religions Falsifiable?

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Contradict Cover Image (Small)
Are religions falsifiable?  How would you go about testing a religious truth claim?  They typically aren’t observable or repeatable?  So the scientific method is out.   In fact, most of life’s important realities aren’t subjectable to the scientific method. However, we aren’t limited to the scientific method for gleaning knowledge and discerning truth.   We also have historiographic testing.  Andy reads Chapter 4 of his book, Contradict – They Can’t All Be True, to explain the historiographic method and it’s three tests.

Andy closes by sharing listener feedback for the past four episodes.

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Click here to order Contradict stickers, tracts, or books. 

46. 12 Arguments Evolutionists Should Avoid

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Reconnect Episode 46

Ben Fisher riffs on “12 Arguments Evolutionists Should Avoid”.  Answers in Genesis created the list of bad arguments.  Do you agree?  Are these bad arguments that evolutionists should avoid?

Show Links:

12 Arguments Evolutionists Should Avoid

“Busting a Myth about Columbus and the flat Earth” by The Washington Post

45. Government Redistribution of Wealth

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Don't Steal
Is government redistribution of wealth stealing?

Show Links:

“A Fork to Feed, a Scalpel to Heal, or a Sword to Protect?” by Wes Bareford

Martin Luther’s Large Catechism – “The Seventh Commandment”

“A Voter’s Guide to the Ten Commandments” by Bryan Wolfmueller

Virtue in the Wasteland – a podcast co-hosted by Wes’ professor for Theology 565, Jeff Mallinson.

“How Do I Know I am a Christian?” – Reconnect Episode 19 with Wes and George