Dr. André Villeneuve, Catholic theologian, biblical scholar, and founder of Catholics for Israel — explores his remarkable journey from growing up in a Catholic family in Canada, to becoming agnostic while studying jazz in Austria, to rediscovering faith through humanitarian work during the Bosnian War. Dr. Villeneuve shares how his time in Jerusalem and deep study of Judaism transformed his understanding of Christianity, scripture, and Israel’s role in biblical history. The conversation dives into replacement theology, Christian attitudes toward Zionism, the rebirth of modern Israel, Catholic teachings on scripture and tradition, social media misinformation, and the challenges facing Christians and Jews today. Guest Bio Dr. André Villeneuve, founder of Catholics for Israel is a Catholic theologian, biblical scholar, and Associate Professor of Old Testament and Biblical Languages at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit. With a Ph.D. from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, his work focuses on Scripture, the Jewish roots of Christianity, and Catholic–Jewish relations. A former jazz saxophonist whose faith journey took him from agnosticism to evangelical Christianity and back to the Catholic Church, Dr. Villeneuve is also the author of several books on biblical theology and divine marriage symbolism.
00:00 — Introduction To Dr. André Villeneuve
00:35 — Growing Up Catholic In Canada
02:02 — Learning Languages Through Music & Travel
03:25 — From Catholic To Agnostic
08:03 — Jazz, Europe & Existential Questions
09:58 — Finding God Through Beauty & Music
12:21 — Volunteering During The Bosnian War
14:49 — Rediscovering Christianity
16:59 — Discovering Israel & Jerusalem
20:29 — Replacement Theology Explained
23:19 — Social Media & Biblical Ignorance
29:46 — Judaism’s Influence On Christianity
37:39 — Israel, Apartheid & Media Narratives
44:32 — Just War Theory & Israel
54:06 — Catholics For Israel & Final Reflections