Can Instruments Be Used in Worship? Regulative Principle & Total Depravity Explained

Host Nate kicks off this episode by roasting Chris's "church" – complete with 20-foot flying drummer boys, back-flipping elves, and snowflakes from the rafters. Because nothing says "Holy Spirit" quite like a $10 million light show and circus acrobatics, right? Apparently, the Apostle Paul's archaeological smoke machine approves. Then things get serious (sort of) when we tackle a genuinely bizarre claim: is it a SIN to listen to gospel music with instruments outside of church? We dive into the regulative principle of worship, the normative principle, and whether your Spotify playlist is sending you straight to hell. Spoiler: probably not, but the debate gets heated. The conversation shifts to original sin, total depravity, and whether babies are born sinners. Are infants guilty before they've even committed their first sin? Is total depravity the same as total inability? Can Pentecostals and Calvinists actually agree on something? (Short answer: it's complicated.) We break down prevenient grace, inherited sin nature, and why the guilt vs. consequence debate actually matters for understanding salvation. And of course, what's an Ask A Christian episode without a Calvinism vs. Arminianism debate spiraling out of control? We attempt to solve the predestination issue (spoiler: we don't), someone drops some spicy language, and Nate has to play referee before escaping to save his sanity. Resources & Links: Megachurch Christmas gimmicks discussion: https://x.com/5Solas2/status/2000298368346784165?s=20 Gospel music with instruments debate: https://x.com/Protestia/status/1999916622832926733?s=20 For more content, visit: https://www.askachristianpodcast.com TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Intro 01:38 - Megachurch Christmas spectacular with flying drummer boys 05:51 - Is it a sin to listen to gospel music with instruments? 08:53 - Regulative principle vs. normative principle of worship 13:45 - Discussing strange fire concept 19:11 - New heaven and new earth discussion 28:30 - Strange fire debate continues - what exactly was it? 48:28 - Original sin discussion begins - Psalm 51:5 50:04 - Total depravity starts to make sense 53:57 - Adam and Eve's fall - losing innocence vs. receiving sin 55:33 - Are babies born sinners? 56:29 - Original sin has been taught for 2,000 years 56:52 - Can you believe in total depravity without inherited guilt? 59:04 - Total depravity vs. total inability debate 1:02:01 - Closing thoughts and wrapping up HASHTAGS #AskAChristianPodcast #Christianity #Calvinism #Arminianism #TotalDepravity #OriginalSin #RegulativePrinciple #WorshipMusic #BibleDebate #TheologyDebate #ChristianApologetics #Salvation #BibleStudy #ChristianPodcast #FaithAndTheology