My Christian worldview initially aligned with Calvinism after I first gave my life to Jesus when I was 17. But over the course of my journey, wrestling with these theological issues actually led me to reconsider Catholicism. It can be said that a person’s personal theology is expressed through their actions, similar to how Christians view good deeds as evidence of good faith. That being said, convincing oneself to be highly favored, set apart or chosen without any consideration for their actions… Read more
June 10, 2019
My Critique of Calvinism: PART VII – In Summary
June 10, 2019 By René Albert
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June 10, 2019
My Critique of Calvinism: PART VI – Perseverance of the Saints
June 10, 2019 By René Albert
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When I think of the Perseverance of the Saints, the first verse that comes to my mind is, “But he who endures to the end will be saved.” – Matthew 24:13 RSV Calvinists, Arminians and Catholics would unanimously agree that this verse describes our lives on earth as a marathon, in which the prize of eternal life is at the end of the race. But what Calvinism teaches is those who are truly saved will persevere in the faith no matter what…. Read more
June 10, 2019
My Critique of Calvinism: PART V – Irresistible Grace
June 10, 2019 By René Albert
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Many Christians use the phrase ‘Once saved, always saved’ as a way to summarize how salvation in Christ is eternally secure. One of the most common verses from the Bible used to support this doctrine is: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me; and I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than… Read more
June 10, 2019
My Critique of Calvinism: PART IV – Limited Atonement
June 10, 2019 By René Albert
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God is supposed to be omnipotent and omnipresent, which means all-knowing and present everywhere in space and time. Considering this, Calvinists have the notion that God had already chosen who He was going to save before the universe was created. In effect, Jesus’ death on the cross would only be valid to those that God had … Continue reading My Thoughts on Calvinism: PART IV – Limited Atonement Read more
June 10, 2019
My Critique of Calvinism: PART III – Unconditional Election
June 10, 2019 By René Albert
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To a certain extent, Unconditional Election makes sense. I agree that God loves us unconditionally and wants to have a relationship with us. I agree with St. Paul when he says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God— not because of works, lest any man should boast.” — Ephesians 2:8-9 RSV But if God designated certain people to go to Heaven and certain people to go to… Read more
June 10, 2019
My Critique of Calvinism: PART II – Total Depravity
June 10, 2019 By René Albert
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I once watched an anti-abortion documentary called the 180 Movie. The host interviewed several people asking questions regarding Nazi-Germany and the Holocaust. One of the questions the interviewer asked was, “If you could kill Adolf Hitler when he was a child or in his mother’s womb, would you do it?” The answer was a resounding ‘yes’ for many of the ones he interviewed. Some even admitted to not only being willing to kill him, but his mother and the rest of… Read more
June 10, 2019
My Critique of Calvinism: PART I – Introduction
June 10, 2019 By René Albert
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As a part-time Bible school alumni, I learned many ideologies adopted by certain Christian denominations can be traced back to the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century. One of the most influential figures to come out of this movement was a man by the name of John Calvin, which is where the ideology of Calvinism comes from. While Christians who identify as Calvinists are a minority throughout the world, they have certainly had a tremendous influence on the development of Christianity here… Read more
June 9, 2019
Led By The Holy Spirit?
June 9, 2019 By René Albert
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A friend of mine once embarked on a missions trip to Honduras to perform building repairs on a local church. He told me a sad story about one of the men he worked with on his missionary team. The man left his wife and kids behind at home because he was convinced God had apparently told him to go on global missionary work. As a result, his wife divorced him and took the kids with her, leaving him to perform the Lord’s work without his… Read more
June 5, 2019
Be Friends With People Who You Disagree With
June 5, 2019 By René Albert
As someone who spent a significant amount of my life in conservative Christian circles, I understand how sheltering a religious bubble can be. When you grow up having a certain set of views, it can be intimidating to hear ideas and opinions that seemingly go against what you grew up believing. In my youth, it was especially evident in who I chose to associate with in high school. I think the easiest people to be friends with are those we agree… Read more
May 26, 2019
The Church and Canada’s Abysmal Treatment of Indigenous People
May 26, 2019 By René Albert
I’ve always been flattered by the amount of positive comments from foreign strangers when I mention that I’m Canadian. I feel fortunate to live in a country where we seem to have a humorous reputation of being overly polite and excessively apologetic. But behind the seemingly friendly reputation, Canada isn’t exactly as free, polite and peaceful as it famously pretends to be. And like every other first-world nation on this earth, it doesn’t come without an underlying darkness. While Canada seems to… Read more
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