Catholic Answers to Calvinism (w/ Joe Heschmeyer)

In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by @catholiccom apologist extraordinaire Joe Heschmeyer to talk about a topic that we get lots of questions about on this show: Calvinism.

What does the Catholic Church have to say about this Reformation-era idea? What's the Catholic view of it? What's the Catholic response to it? And how can a Catholic become equipped to speak about Calvinism from place of understanding as a Catholic.

Plus, with Joe as our guide, we drop back in time to the Early Church and look at how the first disciples of Christ understood Calvinism. Can we find its roots in the Early Church? Or is this truly a Reformation-era innovation? And, if so, how do we address that, too?

It's a fantastic conversation.

For more from Joe check out latest book The Eucharist Really Is Jesus and all his other fine books are available from Catholic Answers Press here:

And check out his podcast and YouTube channel @ShamelessPopery.

To watch this and other episodes please visit (and subscribe to!) our YouTube channel.

Please consider financially supporting this show!

Thank you to those already supporting the show!

[letsdiscuss-withaustin]

Calvinism is a part of the reason that I converted to Catholicism. Thanks guys.

[jowardseph]

this might be the maximum of Catholic cordiality!

I’m a convert from Calvinism.

Thanks for all you do!

[NuLeif]

“Universalism is just Calvinism with mercy added on to it” - great description!

[justenhug]

Through my Protestant studies, I grew up Assemblies of God, but was learning about RC Sproul and TULIP. I didn’t dive too deep into it, but at a surface level I thought TLIP was plausible. Thankfully, through RCIA and apologists such as Joe, Tim, Trent, I’ve come to the Catholic Faith in 2021

[ModernEphemera]

Not even 15 minutes in and already impressed. “Universalism is just Calvinism with mercy added to it” is genius

[timboslice]

I’m a new catholic converted from Calvinism last year! I Would love a series on every major denomination on this very topic. Were the messianic Jews the early Christians? Etc…. such a good idea!

[TruthWins]

When I first got saved I thought all churches and theology perspectives were the same. Online is saturated by Calvinists. James white, RC, Voddie, Lawson etc etc. I thought their perspectives were the only ones 😂. I was so close to joining a Presbyterian church.

One day, I woke up and the Lord put it on my heart to look into Calvinism before I rushed into anything.

So glad I did my research, seems like I saved myself a lot of damage.

Looked into Leighton flowers, Idol killer and a few others.

On my journey towards Catholicism now though. 😊

[PInkW]

“The problem is, Calvin can’t say how much God loves us.”
St Robert Bellarnine

[Lovesdisciple]

I am a Protestant Christian came to this looking for information about Calvinism thinking I might believe in it - after hearing someone presenting some ideas under Calvinism that sounded like what I agree with. I appreciate how you unpacked this and it clarified that I am not a Calvinist.

[cal]

Calvininst are predestined to have the wrong theology

[jonathanbohl]

I liked that universalism is Calvinism with God's mercy line.

[hankkruse]

Calvinists do not believe in the development of doctrine, while they are developing doctrine.

[halleylujah]

Joe maybe my favorite Catholic apologist but don't tell Jimmy.

[jess]

Great discussion. I was a strong calvinist for quite a while. Currently Catholic. One thing that made making the jump a bit easier for me was realizing that some of the calvinist notions that i held were not completely foreign to catholicism. Articles like jimmy akin's tiptoe through the tulip and new advents articles on predestination were very helpful. It was helpful to realize that there isn't a singular view of grace and free will that Catholics need to hold, as long as their views stay within certain limits.

[sentjojo]

53:05 This is the highlight. Building a Frankenstein Church Father from out of context quotes that maybe sounds like a Presbyterian (at best). That sums up every Protestant trying to make a case from Church history for their denomination.

[liberatewethepeople]

I have recently found this channel, I love it. I’m trying to study up on our faith especially when it comes to converting to Catholicism. We have be asked to be on the teaching team for our OCIA class this next year.

[GMAAndy]

I went to a Bible study yesterday. Episcopal and Presbyterian denominations. The Presbyterian ministry said, “we should all be running to get the Eucharist”. I wanted to ask her, why should we run to get a symbol but I don’t know what Presbyterians believe about the Eucharist? However, in the OT the Jews were the ones with the priesthood and the priest had to be from the Levitical line. It is heresy to believe that you can change this on a whelm. All this division and heresy is painful and Protestants don’t realize how damaging it is.

[BrianGondo]

Joe is definitely the right man here. Awesome insights

[dynamic]

Great discussion n Joe is really insightful..

[TheMoreYouSew]

Super interesting episode. I'm a Lutheran in theology but was Reformed a few years ago. I am also more open minded to finding the truth. Could you please do an episode on Mary? Particularly when it comes to the accusation of worship.