On The Drew Mariani Show, Drew poses a question many Catholics have probably encountered: is the “altar call” a Catholic idea? When someone asks, “Are you saved?” or invites you to stand and “accept Jesus as Lord and Savior,” what do we as Catholics make of it?

Drew points to a recent moment at Charlie Kirk’s memorial service, where Pastor Rob McCoy invited nonbelievers to rise and receive Christ. The crowd responded with applause and heartfelt emotion – but it raised a deeper question. Is salvation a “one and done” moment, or does the Church teach something more?

To help answer, Drew welcomes Carl Olson, a Catholic editor and former evangelical. 

Where Altar Calls Come From

Carl Olson explains that altar calls are rooted in Protestant revivalist traditions. Ironically, they often involve no altar at all – he remembers his first altar call at a Bible camp around a campfire. These experiences, he says, were powerful and emotional, but they tended to focus on a single, public profession of faith.

The problem arises with the theology often tied to altar calls: the idea of “once saved, always saved.” Carl Olson points out that this teaching is contrary to Scripture, Tradition, and common sense. Just as a marriage requires ongoing commitment after vows are spoken, so too does our relationship with Christ demand lifelong discipleship.

Catholic Teaching on Salvation

Catholics recognize salvation as both a gift and a process. It begins with baptism, is nourished in the Eucharist, and requires ongoing cooperation with God’s grace. As St. Paul wrote, we must “work out our salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil 2:12).

Carl stresses that unlike some Protestant views where grace is seen only as divine favor, the Catholic understanding is that grace is the very life of God dwelling within us. It transforms us, makes us partakers in the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4), and calls us to ongoing conversion.

“Saved From What?”

A caller asks a piercing question: saved from what? How can we help non-believers realize they need to be saved in the first place? Carl responds that salvation means freedom from sin, death, and eternal separation from God – but also salvation for eternal communion with Him. This isn’t a one-time choice, but a relationship that can be strengthened or broken, like any relationship.

The Catholic “Altar Call”

So, do Catholics have an altar call? In a sense, yes – every time we walk forward at Mass to receive the Eucharist. There, Christ Himself gives His body, blood, soul, and divinity to us in the most intimate way possible. Rather than being symbolic or emotional alone, this act is transformative and nuptial, a renewal of our covenant with Him.

Why “Once Saved, Always Saved” Falls Short

Carl shares a story of a pastor who fell into grave sin after professing faith, showing that a one-time declaration does not guarantee salvation. Scripture itself warns, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only those who do the will of my Father” (Mt 7:21).

The Catholic faith is clear: we must remain in Christ, abide in Him as branches on the vine, and return through confession when we fall away.

Altar calls may inspire deeper conversions, but Catholic teaching reminds us that salvation is not a one-time emotional decision. It is a lifelong journey of grace, sacraments, and daily faithfulness. As Drew reminds us: our Protestant brothers and sisters are not the enemy. But the fullness of salvation is found most perfectly in the Catholic Church, where Christ Himself calls us to the altar every Mass.

The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.

On The Drew Mariani Show, Drew poses a question many Catholics have probably encountered: is the &ldquo;altar call&rdquo; a Catholic idea? When someone asks, &ldquo;Are you saved?&rdquo; or invites you to stand and &ldquo;accept Jesus as Lord and Savior,&rdquo; what do we as Catholics make of it?
Drew points to a recent moment at Charlie Kirk&rsquo;s memorial service, where Pastor Rob McCoy invited nonbelievers to rise and receive Christ. The crowd responded with applause and heartfelt emotion &ndash; but it raised a deeper question. Is salvation a &ldquo;one and done&rdquo; moment, or does the Church teach something more?
To help answer, Drew welcomes&nbsp;Carl Olson, a Catholic editor and former evangelical.&nbsp;
<hr>
Where Altar Calls Come From
Carl Olson explains that altar calls are rooted in Protestant revivalist traditions. Ironically, they often involve no altar at all &ndash; he remembers his first altar call at a Bible camp around a campfire. These experiences, he says, were powerful and emotional, but they tended to focus on a single, public profession of faith.
The problem arises with the theology often tied to altar calls: the idea of &ldquo;once saved, always saved.&rdquo; Carl Olson points out that this teaching is&nbsp;contrary to Scripture, Tradition, and common sense. Just as a marriage requires ongoing commitment after vows are spoken, so too does our relationship with Christ demand lifelong discipleship.
<hr>
Catholic Teaching on Salvation
Catholics recognize salvation as both a gift and a process. It begins with baptism, is nourished in the Eucharist, and requires ongoing cooperation with God&rsquo;s grace. As St. Paul wrote, we must &ldquo;work out our salvation with fear and trembling&rdquo; (Phil 2:12).
Carl stresses that unlike some Protestant views where grace is seen only as divine favor, the Catholic understanding is that grace is the very life of God dwelling within us. It transforms us, makes us partakers in the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4), and calls us to ongoing conversion.
<hr>
&ldquo;Saved From What?&rdquo;
A caller asks a piercing question: saved from what? How can we help non-believers realize they need to be saved in the first place? Carl responds that salvation means freedom from sin, death, and eternal separation from God &ndash; but also salvation&nbsp;for eternal communion with Him. This isn&rsquo;t a one-time choice, but a relationship that can be strengthened or broken, like any relationship.
<hr>
The Catholic &ldquo;Altar Call&rdquo;
So, do Catholics have an altar call? In a sense, yes &ndash; every time we walk forward at Mass to receive the Eucharist. There, Christ Himself gives His body, blood, soul, and divinity to us in the most intimate way possible. Rather than being symbolic or emotional alone, this act is&nbsp;transformative and nuptial, a renewal of our covenant with Him.
<hr>
Why &ldquo;Once Saved, Always Saved&rdquo; Falls Short
Carl shares a story of a pastor who fell into grave sin after professing faith, showing that a one-time declaration does not guarantee salvation. Scripture itself warns, &ldquo;Not everyone who says to me, &lsquo;Lord, Lord,&rsquo; will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only those who do the will of my Father&rdquo; (Mt 7:21).
The Catholic faith is clear: we must remain in Christ, abide in Him as branches on the vine, and return through confession when we fall away.
<hr data-start="3446" data-end="3449">
Altar calls may inspire deeper conversions, but Catholic teaching reminds us that salvation is not a one-time emotional decision. It is a lifelong journey of grace, sacraments, and daily faithfulness. As Drew reminds us: our Protestant brothers and sisters are not the enemy. But the fullness of salvation is found most perfectly in the Catholic Church, where Christ Himself calls us to the altar every Mass.
<hr>
The&nbsp;best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It&rsquo;s free and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out <a href="https://relevantradio.com/listen/get-the-app/">here</a>.

Life can get busy, and it's easy to miss out on the captivating moments from your favorite Relevant Radio shows. But now, we've got you covered! "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" brings you the crème de la crème of Relevant Radio's programming. We carefully curate and compile the most engaging and relevant content from the past week, just for you! Get ready to catch up on faith, culture, current events, and personal growth, all in one convenient and easily accessible podcast. It's like having a front-row seat to the most compelling moments from Relevant Radio's diverse range of shows. So, whether you're an active Relevant Radio listener or new to our programming, "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" is your passport to a world of knowledge, growth, and inspiration.

Life can get busy, and it's easy to miss out on the captivating moments from your favorite Relevant Radio shows. But now, we've got you covered! "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" brings you the crème de la crème of Relevant Radio's programming. We carefully curate and compile the most engaging and relevant content from the past week, just for you! Get ready to catch up on faith, culture, current events, and personal growth, all in one convenient and easily accessible podcast. It's like having a front-row seat to the most compelling moments from Relevant Radio's diverse range of shows. So, whether you're an active Relevant Radio listener or new to our programming, "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" is your passport to a world of knowledge, growth, and inspiration.