Gotta Be Saints

From Calvinist to Catholic with Dr. Peter Kreeft

Brendan Gotta Season 12 Episode 215

In this episode of the Gotta Be Saints Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Peter Kreeft—Catholic philosopher, longtime Boston College professor, and author of over 100 books—for a candid and moving conversation about his personal conversion story, told in his latest book, From Calvinist to Catholic.

Raised in a devout Calvinist household and educated at Calvin College, Dr. Kreeft’s journey to Catholicism was not a rebellion, but a pursuit of truth. With humor, humility, and deep clarity, he shares what drew him to the Church, what nearly kept him away, and how his love for Jesus only deepened along the way.

This episode is full of wisdom for anyone discerning the Catholic faith or seeking to understand the beauty of the Church more deeply.

Topics Covered:

  • Why Dr. Kreeft initially resisted writing his conversion story—and what changed his mind
  • The most difficult Catholic doctrine to accept—and how he came to embrace it
  • The influence of C.S. Lewis, Church Fathers, and personal conscience
  • How reading Church history challenged his assumptions about Protestantism
  • Lessons from Boston College and years of teaching Catholic students
  • The surprising role Calvin College played in leading him to Catholicism
  • Why the Church’s sacramental system initially felt foreign—and how it became foundational
  • Advice for anyone discerning conversion to Catholicism
  • What Catholics can learn from Protestants—and vice versa
  • Why joy, not just truth, is essential to the Christian life

📖 Pick up a copy of From Calvinist to Catholic by Dr. Peter Kreeft through Ignatius Press or wherever books are sold.

📲 Follow Dr. Kreeft’s work:

Website: peterkreeft.com

🎙️ Subscribe, share, and leave a review if this conversation inspired you to seek truth with boldness and humility.

🙏 Special thanks to this episode’s sponsor, Truthly. Use code gottabesaints for a free trial at truthly.ai

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