Nothing In My Hand I Bring by Ray Galea

Whether you are thinking through the differences between Catholicism and Protestant  Christianity, or want to find out more about what Catholics believe and practise, this book is for you! Throughout the week I minister on a university campus and this year I’ve met so many students from Catholic backgrounds. I’ve really appreciated this book in helping me understand their beliefs better. 

In Nothing In My Hand I Bring, Ray Galea compares Catholicism and the Christianity of the Bible. Galea grew up in a devout Roman Catholic home and even served as an altar boy for eight years. But as a young adult, it dawned on him that he needed to find out who Jesus was by investigating the Scriptures. By God’s grace, Galea fell in love with the person of Jesus through the Bible and confessed Jesus as his Lord and Saviour. Galea has written this book to clarify the consequential differences between Catholic and Protestant beliefs, with the truth of Jesus squarely in the centre.

Galea helpfully steps through the core doctrinal differences such as justification, the authority of Scripture, communion, the person and work of Mary, and assurance. This book isn’t bogged down with religious lingo or historical events. Instead, it concisely explains what the Catholic church practises and preaches, and how those stack up against the truth of God’s Word. I appreciated how often he referred back to the Bible and the centrality of the person and work of Jesus Christ. 

After reading Nothing In My Hand I Bring, I am excited to better understand and share the gospel with Catholic uni students. You might recommend this book to your Catholic friends to read for themselves, or you might want to read it alongside them. You can be sure that Nothing In My Hand I Bring will clearly proclaim the gospel of grace as found in the Bible.

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Reviewed by Annie Reeves

Annie is a part of Crossroads Christian Church in Canberra with her husband Jesse. She’s in her first year of a ministry apprenticeship at FOCUS ANU, being trained by Mathea who is on the EQUIP team.