Uploaded September 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Are people basically good or evil? And what should Christians make of the doctrine of “total depravity”?
Tom Wright and Mike Bird begin this episode by asking what the Bible really says about human nature. If all human beings are sinful, how can the Bible also describe people doing genuine good? Tom challenges the simple good-versus-bad framework and returns to Genesis and humanity’s vocation as image-bearers of God.
Next, they investigate one of the enduring mysteries of John’s Gospel: who was “the disciple whom Jesus loved”? Was he John the son of Zebedee? Lazarus? Another Judean disciple named John? Tom explores what we can – and cannot – confidently know about this enigmatic eyewitness to Jesus.
Finally, does the Sermon on the Mount contradict salvation by grace? If Jesus tells us that our righteousness must exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees, is he setting an impossible standard simply to expose our sin? Tom argues that this fundamentally misunderstands Jesus’ message. The Beatitudes and the Sermon on the Mount are a picture of what God’s kingdom looks like when it arrives on earth.
00:00 Intro: Welcome to “Ask NT Wright Anything” (Episode 86)
02:17 Q1: Are humans basically good or evil? Total depravity, original sin & our capacity to do good
09:52 Q2: Who is “the disciple whom Jesus loved”? John, Lazarus, or someone else?
19:15 Interlude: AC Grayling & Tom Holland on what’s unique about Christianity
20:35 Q3: Is the Sermon on the Mount legalism? Did Jesus expect us to obey it if salvation is by grace?
31:23 How to send in your questions, premium episodes & outro
Subscribe & Support
👉 Support thought-provoking conversations and help keep the show going at premierunbelievable.com/geolink/donate💡
🎧 Never miss an episode! Subscribe to the Unbelievable? podcast at www.premier.plus/unbelievable 🎙️
🔗 Get bonus content, updates, fascinating articles, and early access to new episodes - absolutely free! Join now at premierunbelievable.com 📢
Follow us
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Are people basically good or evil? And what should Christians make of the doctrine of “total depravity”?
Tom Wright and Mike Bird begin this episode by asking what the Bible really says about human nature. If all human beings are sinful, how can the Bible also describe people doing genuine good? Tom challenges the simple good-versus-bad framework and returns to Genesis and humanity’s vocation as image-bearers of God.
Next, they investigate one of the enduring mysteries of John’s Gospel: who was “the disciple whom Jesus loved”? Was he John the son of Zebedee? Lazarus? Another Judean disciple named John? Tom explores what we can – and cannot – confidently know about this enigmatic eyewitness to Jesus.
Finally, does the Sermon on the Mount contradict salvation by grace? If Jesus tells us that our righteousness must exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees, is he setting an impossible standard simply to expose our sin? Tom argues that this fundamentally misunderstands Jesus’ message. The Beatitudes and the Sermon on the Mount are a picture of what God’s kingdom looks like when it arrives on earth.
00:00 Intro: Welcome to “Ask NT Wright Anything” (Episode 86)
02:17 Q1: Are humans basically good or evil? Total depravity, original sin & our capacity to do good
09:52 Q2: Who is “the disciple whom Jesus loved”? John, Lazarus, or someone else?
19:15 Interlude: AC Grayling & Tom Holland on what’s unique about Christianity
20:35 Q3: Is the Sermon on the Mount legalism? Did Jesus expect us to obey it if salvation is by grace?
31:23 How to send in your questions, premium episodes & outro
Subscribe & Support
👉 Support thought-provoking conversations and help keep the show going at premierunbelievable.com/geolink/donate💡
🎧 Never miss an episode! Subscribe to the Unbelievable? podcast at www.premier.plus/unbelievable 🎙️
🔗 Get bonus content, updates, fascinating articles, and early access to new episodes - absolutely free! Join now at premierunbelievable.com 📢
Follow us
Instagram: instagram.com/premierunbelievable
Facebook: facebook.com/premierunbelievable
Tik Tok: tiktok.com/@premier.unbelievable
X: Premier Unbelievable? (@UnbelievableFE)
