As a cradle-Catholic in my youth, I’ve noticed the times when church attendance was the highest was during Christmas, Easter, weddings and funerals. These were usually the days when close friends and relatives of parishoners would visit and attend Mass with them. Often during these particular services, the priest would make an announcement to the congregation that non-Catholics ought to refrain from partaking in communion. Regardless of whether or not the priest announces it tactfully, being barred from communion seems… Read more
June 23, 2019
I Long For Christian Unity
June 23, 2019 By René Albert
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One of the things that makes my heart ache is how divided Christianity really is. In my own experience, I’ve seen the hostility go both ways. Leaving the Catholic faith initially in my teens was a heartbreaking experience for my relatives. Returning to it felt like admitting to my Evangelical friends I was hooking up with an old ex-girlfriend. No matter what side of Christianity I was on, there was always someone reminding me I’m either going to Catholic Hell… Read more
June 12, 2019
In Defense of Mary: Mediatrix & Queen of Heaven?
June 12, 2019 By René Albert
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I remember receiving a set of anti-Catholic tracts from someone I met at an Evangelical Bible camp when I was 17 years old. They were intended to paint Catholic doctrine in a light that seemingly contrasted the Bible. Among the many doctrines it attempted to refute were regarding how the Catholic Church portrays Mary, such as her role as Mediatrix and Queen of Heaven. The tracts referred to an ancient Babylonian king named Nimrod and his mother the queen named… Read more
June 10, 2019
My Critique of Calvinism: PART VII – In Summary
June 10, 2019 By René Albert
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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 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
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