In this episode, Canon Megan and Adam wade into one of the church’s most misunderstood—and most loaded—topics: original sin. Where did it come from? What does it actually mean? And is it really as bad as it sounds?
From Augustine’s personal baggage to Calvin’s famously gloomy outlook, they explore how different Christian traditions have understood sin, human nature, and our relationship with God. Along the way, they reflect on the tension between the beauty of being human and the brokenness of the world we live in.
Don’t worry—this isn’t all doom and gloom. There's grace, hope, and a reminder that the Episcopal tradition offers a more compassionate and complex take than you might expect.
What You’ll Walk Away With:
* Original sin is less about one bad choice in a garden and more about the deep brokenness we all live with.
* The idea has changed a lot over time, depending on who you ask (and when).
* Augustine’s views on sin were deeply shaped by his own life story.
* The Church tends to offer a more hopeful view of original sin than many people realize.
* The Protestant reformers, especially Calvin, went much further—emphasizing the idea of total depravity.
* Calvin’s theology paints a pretty harsh picture of human nature.
* Original sin isn’t just personal—it can help explain larger, systemic problems in the world.
* Even in the midst of brokenness, there’s still goodness in humanity worth holding onto.
* This whole conversation points us toward the grace of God, not away from it.
* The Episcopal Church holds a nuanced, thoughtful view of sin that leaves room for growth, hope, and redemption.

If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re inherently bad (you’re not), or just want a clearer understanding of why Christians talk about original sin at all—this is a great place to start.
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