What Did Jesus Do?
The Biblical Roots of the Catholic Church
What Did Jesus Do? gives a refreshing look at the Catholic Church by examining the life and teachings of Jesus.
What Did Jesus Do? The Biblical Roots of the Catholic Church by Thomas J. Nash seeks to reveal that the Catholic Church is God’s design to save all people.
In the realm of faith, questions abound. This book seeks to address questions about the Catholic Church within the whole array of Christian churches: What is the role of the Catholic Church in carrying out Christ’s mission of salvation? What makes the Catholic Church different from other Christian churches? Where did these differences come from and why are they significant? And more. In an age filled with skepticism about God and confusion about what paths lead to God, Nash’s insights are relevant and revelatory. Rather than nitpicking doctrine and dividing people into categories, he asserts the God-given design of the Catholic Church as the means for all people to come to God.
Nash delves into the role of humans and human leaders, the sacraments, the spiritual realm, and scriptures in a direct and logical manner. Instead of picking through centuries of church tradition and interpretation, though he does address those as needed, he goes to the source: the life and teachings of Jesus. Nash adeptly examines the teachings of Jesus in their context—his time and the people he was speaking to in each instance. This in-the-moment analysis is the key to understanding the implications Jesus’s words have for people and the church today. For those who get lost or frustrated in complicated theological discussions, this approach feels sensible, invigorating, and accessible.
So often discussions of doctrine and theology are designed to cut people out of God’s family, but far from cutting others out, Nash is showing that he believes the Catholic Church is the way to God for all people. People of other Christian traditions may still feel division in this approach, but Nash’s inclusive intent is admirable and, as he shows, it echoes the desires of Jesus himself.
Nash’s expertise shines in the book. He has a wealth of experience in studying the Catholic faith and helping others understand it. His ideas are deeply researched and well documented, and his tone is open, straightforward, and caring.
This book is ideal for Catholics who want to understand their faith better, explain its significance, and grow in their understanding of God. The writing is clear and easy to understand, even for everyday Catholics who haven’t studied their faith deeply. Rather than directly addressing people who are skeptical about God or Catholicism, it equips those who want to answer the skepticism of modern times to enter conversation with skeptics.
What Did Jesus Do? gives a refreshing look at the Catholic Church by examining the life and teachings of Jesus.
Reviewed by
Melissa Wuske
Disclosure: This article is not an endorsement, but a review. The publisher of this book provided free copies of the book and paid a small fee to have their book reviewed by a professional reviewer. Foreword Reviews and Clarion Reviews make no guarantee that the publisher will receive a positive review. Foreword Magazine, Inc. is disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
