Catholic Answers Live #12331 What’s the Point of Confession? Understanding the Sacraments - Tom Nash
Aug 18, 2025
In this engaging conversation, Tom Nash, a theologian and author at Catholic Answers, dives into the profound significance of the sacrament of confession. He explores how it fosters spiritual growth and reconciliation with God. Listeners will learn about the nuances of confessing to different priests and the intriguing possibility of confessing in a Greek Orthodox church. Tom also clarifies how to communicate the concept of confession to those from a Calvinist background, making this a must-listen for anyone curious about the sacramental journey.
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Confession As Ongoing Appropriation
- Confession is how believers continually appropriate Christ's one sacrifice and receive grace for ongoing holiness.
- Jesus gave apostolic ministers authority to forgive sins, so confession is a personal encounter with Christ through priests.
Prepare Intentionally For Confession
- Prepare for confession and remember you're encountering Jesus first and foremost, not just a priest.
- Use Catholic.com resources like "How to Go to Confession" for primers on preparation and practice.
Sacraments As Normative Means
- The sacrament is normative though God can act outside the sacraments; Catholics follow Jesus' instituted means.
- Confession also has psychological benefits: accountability and recognition of wrongdoing aid moral growth.
