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Worthy is the Lamb: The Biblical Roots of the Mass
In this exciting new book Thomas Nash refutes the common charge that the Mass is "unbiblical" in a resoundingly biblical fashion. From the Garden of Eden to Christ's Ascension, the biblical roots of the Mass go much deeper than the Last Supper and Christ's Passion. Old Testament sacrifices like Abel’s, Abraham’s and the Passover all prefigure and are fulfilled by Christ's Sacrifice, which is made present in the Sacrifice of the Mass. What began on the Cross culminated in everlasting glory when Jesus entered "once for all" into the heavenly holy of holies, as the Letter to the Hebrews provides. In a time when the Catholic Church is under attack from within and without, Worthy is the Lamb reminds the faithful that the Mass is, as Vatican II affirms, "the source and summit of the whole Christian life." This book will transform your understanding of and participation in the Mass.
248 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2004
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120 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 13, 2023
Worthy is the Lamb by Thomas J. Nash is a good book for those who love to learn about how the Old Testament sacrifices and traditions are related to the Mass. The book is not an academic tome but it's not a casual read, either.
The author starts in Genesis and explores its connection to the Eucharist. Old Testament sacrifices, Abel, Abraham, Passover, etc., are shown to prefigure the Mass. The book is divided into three sections. The first section relates the Eucharist to traditions from the Torah. The second section explains how the Old Covenant prefigured the Mass. Finally, the book concludes with Jesus transformed in our continuing Passover.
Beginning each chapter are scripture and catechism references. Of course, in the back of the book, the index is comprehensive. There is a bibliography that will offer the reader more suggestions for personal scholarship.
Worthy is the Lamb is a keeper.
The author starts in Genesis and explores its connection to the Eucharist. Old Testament sacrifices, Abel, Abraham, Passover, etc., are shown to prefigure the Mass. The book is divided into three sections. The first section relates the Eucharist to traditions from the Torah. The second section explains how the Old Covenant prefigured the Mass. Finally, the book concludes with Jesus transformed in our continuing Passover.
Beginning each chapter are scripture and catechism references. Of course, in the back of the book, the index is comprehensive. There is a bibliography that will offer the reader more suggestions for personal scholarship.
Worthy is the Lamb is a keeper.
December 5, 2017
That was amazing. I've been Catholic my whole life but this has lead me to see the Mass in a whole new way. Little things like how Jesus' claim that He came to fulfill the law, not to abolish it never really made sense to me before but now it's in a whole new light for me.
Nash's book explains how Jesus' sacrifice was the fulfillment of the Old Testament sacrifices like the daily Temple sacrifices, the Day of Atonement sacrifice and the Passover meal. And how those all sprang from the sacrifice of Isaac way back in Genesis (it just boggles my mind, all these Bible stories I learned as a kid but rarely the significance).
And the whole lead up of the prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah foretelling a new covenant with a purified priesthood offering up pure sacrifice. It's amazing to see it all put together like this.
I'm just thrilled that I read this.
Nash's book explains how Jesus' sacrifice was the fulfillment of the Old Testament sacrifices like the daily Temple sacrifices, the Day of Atonement sacrifice and the Passover meal. And how those all sprang from the sacrifice of Isaac way back in Genesis (it just boggles my mind, all these Bible stories I learned as a kid but rarely the significance).
And the whole lead up of the prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah foretelling a new covenant with a purified priesthood offering up pure sacrifice. It's amazing to see it all put together like this.
I'm just thrilled that I read this.
August 8, 2015
“The Church has always venerated the divine Scriptures just as she venerates the body of the Lord” (Dei Verbum, 21).
“The Eucharist is ‘the source and summit of the Christian life.’" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1324 quoting Lumen Gentium, 11).
Tom Nash does a great service in bringing together these two vital aspects of the Christian life (and I do mean vital as it is derived from the Latin vita, meaning “life”). In doing so, the reader not only gains a much deeper appreciation for the Mass but also for Scripture. The reader cannot but help in coming away with a greater knowledge of, and love for, both.
Nash takes us through salvation history to clearly show how Old Testament sacrifices anticipated imperfectly the perfect New Covenant fulfilled in Jesus. There is also much support in the New Testament (not only in the Gospels, by the way) for the Mass and how we understand it. Along the way, but particularly toward the end of the book, the author gets apologetic, defending the Mass and the sacrament of the Eucharist against Protestant objections. The final chapter goes beyond apostolic times to talk about the celebration of the Eucharist in the early Church.
As for how the book is set up, there are several nice features:
*Background Reading suggestions, all but one from the Bible, are highly recommended preparation for each chapter, even though the text is chock full of Bible quotes. Often there are many references, so you may be spending an hour or more in the Good Book, but it would be well worth the reader’s time.
* The chapters vary in length from a few pages to over twenty but are divided into relatively short sections so one can receive a good amount of substance even if the reader can only tackle a few pages at a time. Ample quotes from Scripture, primarily, but also from the Catechism, encyclicals, other writings coming from the Church and its luminaries, and Jewish writings, provide much depth and support for this work. Erudite but accessible, the interested, educated, and engaged reader should have no trouble with the material. (For those who would like to brush up a bit by reviewing an overview of salvation history, start with John Bergsma’s "Bible Basics for Catholics" and then maybe add Scott Hahn’s "A Father Who Keeps His Promises.")
* Footnotes are often skipped by non-academics but I would not suggest that here. Very often, interesting additional information is provided that really enhances the text.
* Questions for Reflection and Discussion (anywhere from three to nine questions often with multiple parts) at the end of each chapter is an excellent way to reinforce the material. This is ideal for group study and reading clubs (which I highly encourage for this text). While some questions are answered in the chapter, others require going to outside sources (often Scripture) for answers. Reflection questions challenge the reader and help to make the material his own.
* The Bibliography is extensive, providing the interested reader many other sources to pursue particular topics of interest.
* Indices for Scripture and Catechism of the Catholic Church citations are a great help to researchers or anyone interested in pursuing a particular line of study or inquiry.
I highly recommend this book to Catholics who want a deeper appreciation for both Scripture and the Mass. But I would encourage anyone interested in the Mass and the sacrament of the Eucharist to engage this material. Get solid information from the horse’s mouth, so to speak, as faithfully conveyed by Mr. Nash.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher, Sophia Institute Press, in exchange for this review.
“The Eucharist is ‘the source and summit of the Christian life.’" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1324 quoting Lumen Gentium, 11).
Tom Nash does a great service in bringing together these two vital aspects of the Christian life (and I do mean vital as it is derived from the Latin vita, meaning “life”). In doing so, the reader not only gains a much deeper appreciation for the Mass but also for Scripture. The reader cannot but help in coming away with a greater knowledge of, and love for, both.
Nash takes us through salvation history to clearly show how Old Testament sacrifices anticipated imperfectly the perfect New Covenant fulfilled in Jesus. There is also much support in the New Testament (not only in the Gospels, by the way) for the Mass and how we understand it. Along the way, but particularly toward the end of the book, the author gets apologetic, defending the Mass and the sacrament of the Eucharist against Protestant objections. The final chapter goes beyond apostolic times to talk about the celebration of the Eucharist in the early Church.
As for how the book is set up, there are several nice features:
*Background Reading suggestions, all but one from the Bible, are highly recommended preparation for each chapter, even though the text is chock full of Bible quotes. Often there are many references, so you may be spending an hour or more in the Good Book, but it would be well worth the reader’s time.
* The chapters vary in length from a few pages to over twenty but are divided into relatively short sections so one can receive a good amount of substance even if the reader can only tackle a few pages at a time. Ample quotes from Scripture, primarily, but also from the Catechism, encyclicals, other writings coming from the Church and its luminaries, and Jewish writings, provide much depth and support for this work. Erudite but accessible, the interested, educated, and engaged reader should have no trouble with the material. (For those who would like to brush up a bit by reviewing an overview of salvation history, start with John Bergsma’s "Bible Basics for Catholics" and then maybe add Scott Hahn’s "A Father Who Keeps His Promises.")
* Footnotes are often skipped by non-academics but I would not suggest that here. Very often, interesting additional information is provided that really enhances the text.
* Questions for Reflection and Discussion (anywhere from three to nine questions often with multiple parts) at the end of each chapter is an excellent way to reinforce the material. This is ideal for group study and reading clubs (which I highly encourage for this text). While some questions are answered in the chapter, others require going to outside sources (often Scripture) for answers. Reflection questions challenge the reader and help to make the material his own.
* The Bibliography is extensive, providing the interested reader many other sources to pursue particular topics of interest.
* Indices for Scripture and Catechism of the Catholic Church citations are a great help to researchers or anyone interested in pursuing a particular line of study or inquiry.
I highly recommend this book to Catholics who want a deeper appreciation for both Scripture and the Mass. But I would encourage anyone interested in the Mass and the sacrament of the Eucharist to engage this material. Get solid information from the horse’s mouth, so to speak, as faithfully conveyed by Mr. Nash.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher, Sophia Institute Press, in exchange for this review.
February 4, 2015
Thomas J. Nash breaks down the Biblical and theological roots of the Mass. The book he has written is dense, filled with references to scripture and other spiritual writing, as well as the Catechism. It is informative and interesting at times, but often overwhelming.
I read this book on my own, and perhaps that was a mistake. Worthy is the Lamb is designed to be read in a group study. Each chapter begins with a list of relevant scripture passages pertaining to the topics covered therein, and each concludes with a list of several discussion questions. Reading the book on my own couldn't have been nearly as fulfilling as reading and discussing it in a group. I do not recommend reading this individually; however, I think it would be quite enlightening if read in a study group.
I read this book on my own, and perhaps that was a mistake. Worthy is the Lamb is designed to be read in a group study. Each chapter begins with a list of relevant scripture passages pertaining to the topics covered therein, and each concludes with a list of several discussion questions. Reading the book on my own couldn't have been nearly as fulfilling as reading and discussing it in a group. I do not recommend reading this individually; however, I think it would be quite enlightening if read in a study group.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews