Tag Archives: Celtic Church

General

An Geadh-Glas

Five years ago the Lord gave me a vision of a wild goose flying over the Sweet-Ola valley. It was the harbinger of Emily and my move to Sweet from Boise – and the start of new adventure that has lead to us being the new pastors of the Payette River Vineyard.

What was so special about that vision? Why a wild goose?

In the early days of Christianity, the Gospel message flourished among the Celts of the British Isles (while no one knows for sure who brought Gospel to the Celts, I like to think that it was some of the Celts living in Galatia who heard the message from St. Paul). Instead of following the Hebrew picture of the Holy Spirit (i.e. a dove), these Celtic believers choose the picture of a Wild Goose – An Geadh-Glas.

Similar to a wild goose, the Holy Spirit can not be tamed or tracked – “The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” (John 3:8).

Likewise, when the Holy Spirit comes – He comes in power, disturbing the status quo and setting the people into a new adventure with God.

Continue reading An Geadh-Glas →

Book Reviews, Church History

Irish Saints by Robert T. Reilly

Irish Saints by Robert T. Reilly
Irish Saints by Robert T. Reilly

My love for the ancient Celtic church started about six years ago when I first read Bede’s The Ecclesiastical History of the English People.  Since then I have strove to learn more about these men and women of God who flourished on the edge of the world.

Robert Reilly’s book Irish Saints offers a rare glance into this church through the lives of their Saints and heroes:

  • St. Patrick (418-493)
  • St. Brigid (453-524)
  • St. Brendan (484-577)
  • St. Columcille (521-597)
  • St. Columban (540-615)
  • St. Malachy (1095-1148)
  • St. Laurence O’Toole (1128-1180)
  • St. Oliver Plunkett (1629-1681)
  • Mother Catherine McAuley (1787-1841)
  • Father Theobald Matthew (1790-1856)
  • Matt Talbot (1856-1925)
  • Bishop Edward J. Galvin, S.S.C. (1882-1956)

One of the things that struck me as I read Reilly’s book was the view these Saints and heroes had about material possessions. In the early days (i.e. the days of St. Patrick and Columcille) the Saints forsook material possessions as means to reach those who did not know Christ.

As time went own, folks begun to view material possessions as “sinful” – as such, they forsook material possessions in the hopes of becoming “holy” or “pure.”  Quite the opposite heart from the original saints of Ireland.

Overall it was a good book and good overview of Celtic Christianity through the years.

Book Reviews, Church History

The Celtic Way of Evangelism by George G. Hunter III

Ah… the good, old Celtic church. Sigh. What a group of radicals. Wink

As some of you know, I have a "thing" for the church in the British Isles from 300 A.D. to about 700 A.D. During this time, the Celtic church was more or less independent from the larger Roman Catholic Church (or anyone else for that matter…).

I say "more or less" because even though the Celtic church was outside of the leadership structure of the Roman Catholic Church, the monks still managed to obtain fiction and non-fiction scrolls. It just goes to tell you that bibliophilia is a powerful disease – overcoming wars and miles of once-charted oceans lands.

Yet, that's enough about that, let's move on too our book review!

When I first picked up this book, I was a tad skeptical – "oh great, ANOTHER evangelism book! This is just what the world needs…sigh."

However, I must state that after I finished the book, I was pleasantly trilled with how Hunter approached the topic. [@more@]

*laugh* Tongue out

Ok. I must confess. Even through the book is says it's about "evangelism" – it's really about contextual missions. There. I feel better.

Allow me to explain.

Between 300 to 700 A.D. there were too main models of spreading the Gospel or evangelism. The first model was that of the Roman church – in which the priest/missionary/evangelist:

  • Presented the gospel message
  • Waited for a decision
  • And then entered into fellowship with the new believers.

Note that at the heart of this model was the idea that in order to become a Christian, one must first become "civilized" – which, of course, is another way of saying "becoming Roman".

The second model – that of the Celtic church – was to send teams into un-reached villages and:

  • Enter into fellowship with the unbelievers
  • Minister to them as the opportunity arouse
  • Then, after folks trust and know you, invite them to follow Jesus.

You may say "ummm..Ardell, isn't that just relationship evangelism? I mean, that 'top topic' has left the dock years ago!"

In some ways, you are correct. The Celtic model is a type of relationship evangelism. However, it also differs (or at least it differs from my understanding of modern "relationship evangelism").

First off, the Celtic model is based upon community. There is a team – ten or twenty people – who work together to reach the pagans. As a result, the unbelievers in the village have the opportunity to see Christianity at work within a group setting – warts and all.

Second, it's deliberate – but not in a slimy, tricky, underhanded kind of way. The Celtic evangelists had a purpose – to love others and to start a church. However, they did not let this purpose undermined the fact that we are called by God to love other regardless of whether they join the church or not.

Third, and I love this part – the Celtic model allowed for the Mystery of God. The Roman Church – as is parts of the modern fundamental movement – liked to have everything explained logically. The Celtic culture was one that enjoyed the supernatural and mystery of an unexplainable Creator Lord.

Hmmm… This review is getting long… as such, I'm going to end it with one last comment.

Book good. Read if can.

Bye.

Church History, Theology Thoughts

The Ministry of Conversation

The ancient Christian monks of Ireland would establish bases next to villages or trade routes with the hope that various strangers would stop in and say “hi”.

The abbot of the monastery would stop whatever he was doing and visit with the stranger. In fact, if the abbot was in the middle of fast – he would break the fast in order to have a meal with the stranger!!

Talk about a different worldview then the Roman Catholic monks who considered their “spiritual fast” more important then honoring a stranger….

Back to the Celtic monks….

Why did the abbot act that way? Because of the “Ministry of Conversation”.[@more@]

The Ministry of Conversation is more then just talking to another person – It’s taking a personal interest in the life of the other person. What do they like? What is happening in their life – good and bad?

Or, to put it a different way, how do you feel when someone sincerely cares about you? Doesn’t it make you feel special? Loved? Cared for?

That is what the ancient Celtic monks where doing – they were loving the strangers who came to their door, regardless of why they came or who they were.

We, as the church, have lost the value of the Ministry of Conversation in lieu of “spiritual” actions.

As we move into a post-Christendom society, I pray that the church will recapture the value of conversation as demonstrated by the Celtic monks of yesteryear.

Church History, Current Events

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!!

If you're not wearing BLUE, pinch yourself! No – that wasn't a typo – it was an historic fact.  You see, up until the mid-1700s the color most closely associated with Ireland and St. Patrick was blue, not green. In fact, the Irish Presidential Standard (ie. the flag used by the President of Ireland) shows a Gaelic harp on a St. Patrick's Blue background.

A brief history of St. Patrick

Most folks know the legend of St. Patrick – how he was a slave in Ireland before returning as a missionary, how he sued the three-leave clover to explain the Trinity, and how he drove all the snakes from Ireland… However, I want to focus a bit on some of the lesser known, and in my mind, the more import parts of the live of St. Patrick.

St. Patrick lived from late 300's to the mid-400's, dieing in either 461 or 493 – depending on who you talk to.  He was the son of a church deacon and the grandson of a priest – both of whom lived in British Isles.  We don't know if he was on Roman decent or Celtic – most likely a mixture of both.

The Roman Catholic Church likes to call St. Patrick as one of their own – however, this was most likely NOT the case. Christianity came to the British Isle in the mid to late second century (100s AD) by unknown people. In the third and fourth century (200-300 AD), the British church sent bishops to some of the church counsels – showing the world that Gospel of the Kingdom had spread to the further most areas of known world.[@more@]

During this time, the Church in Rome, as well as in other sees around the Mediterranean Sea, where involved in two things: One, surviving as the Emperors of Rome where trying to kill all Christians. Two, they were fighting among each other for power.  It wasn't until 313 AD that Constantine legalized Christianity. Even then, it took another hundred years before Leo I begin to consolidate power in the Church to Rome (ie. mid to late 400 AD).

Add to this the fact that the British Isles where on the edge of the Roman frontier, and you have a Church that developed independent of 'Rome' or another other 'see' (granted the British church did have some contact as evidence by their presence at the Church Counsels).

As a result of this independence, the Celtic Church under St. Patrick developed into an amazing Church with a strong emphasis on the love of God and relationship with Him versus the work based system that was developing round the Mediterranean. This emphasis really begin to show up in the 6th and 7th Centuries (500-600's) under Saint Columba, who founded the monastery on Iona, and Saint Columbanus, who traveled all across the European continent preaching the Word of the Lord.  

In my opinion, the Celtic Church from 400 to 700 AD was closer to true Christianity (ie. saved by faith, not by works; emphasis on the relationship with the Lord versus earning your way to heaven) then Roman Catholicism at the same time. Unfortunately, Roman Catholicism won out through political power… However, God kept His remnant both in the British Isles as well as else where – like in Armenia (Middle East), Nubia (Africa), and Bohemia (Europe).

Celebrations Ideas

If you're in Boise, I would recommend dropping by the Shamrock Coffee Company at Overland and Maple Grove. This Irish themed coffee and tea house is throwing a St. Patrick Days party:

5:00pm-7:00pm: It's Happy Hour!  All Shamrock signature drinks are FREE! [and they have some awesome signature drinks!!!!]

7:00pm-9:00pm: Irish band An Buille will be performing live at Shamrock Coffee Company's Blackeagle Cafe. CDs will be available for purchase.

If you have never been to the Shamrock, I would recommend giving it a try today. Laughing

Church History, Vineyard Movement, World Missions

Do I have to LISTEN? A brief looking into a world of history

For those of you who don’t know me (ok – let’s face it, if your reading this, you already know me…and are probably wounding if it’s too late to deny all knowledge of the being named Ardell), I like missions history – especially as it deals with early church history. As such, I have been studying the topic off-and-on for the last eight or nine years. At different times throughout those years I have found folks (I believe the number is six) who actually enjoyed listening/talking about this subject.

Well, to the relief of my wife and all sane beings in Idaho, the Good Lord (who is also probably tired of hearing me talk) allows me to co-teach a class about the subject.

Yelp – I am now teaching a class about Missions History, World Religion and Cross Culture Adaptation to fifteen VCOM (Vineyard College of Mission) students. Seeing that the class is mandatory, they have to show up ever week! (Now if they would only stay awake...)

Now I know you are all dieing to know what I’m teaching this poor blessed students. As such, I have posted part of my outline for last week below for you all to drool over. Lord willing, I will continue to post more information about the class was we work are way through this semester (hold on, stop! Slow down – poking your eyes out won’t solve anything… you don’t have to keep reading if you don’t want too. That’s right; put the folk back on the table. Thank you).

[@more@]

I) Apostolic Period: 33-95 AD

a. The Apostles – forced out of Jerusalem in 70 AD

i. Thomas – India

ii. Simon the Canaanite– Africa and Britain

iii. Simon Peter – Samaria; Roman; other places?

iv. Bartholomew – Armenia and India

v. John – Asia Minor (modern day Turkey)

vi. Andrew – North between the Caspian and Black Seas

vii. Matthew – Ethiopia, Egypt

viii. Philip –Asia Minor (modern day Turkey)

ix. James the son of Alphaeus – Spain?

II) Post Apostolic 95-313 AD

a. J. Herbert Kane, A Concise History of the Christian World Mission (1987)

“Coming to the second and third centuries we find that information regarding the expansion of the Christian church is even more meager. We read of large and influential churches in Alexandria, Carthage, and Edessa; but we do not know when or by whom they were established. Here again there are wide gaps in our knowledge. It would seem that Christianity continued to spread along the main roads and rivers of the empire: eastward by way of Damascus and Edessa into Mesopotamia; southward through Bosra and Petra into Arabia; westward though Alexandria and Carthage into North Africa; and northward through Antioch into Armenia, Pontus, and Bithynia. Later still it reached Spain, Gaul, and Britain before crossing the borders of the empire into more remote parts such as Ireland, Ethiopia, and China.”

b. Pantaens of Alexandria went to India in 180 AD (found a church founded by Bartholomew)

c. Gregory the Illuminator – Missionary to Armenia

i. Converted Armenian’s King, King Tiridates

ii. Still exists – one of the oldest churches in Christendom

iii. New Testament first appeared in the Armenian language in 410 AD

III) Christianity become corrupt: 313-500 AD

a. Key Dates

i. Conversion of Emperor Constantine (323 AD)

1. Christianity when from the tombs to the palace almost overnight

2. People became ‘Christianity’ for political reasons, not because of a personal faith.

ii. Christianity becomes the “official” religion of the Roman Empire

It is Our Will that all the people We rule shall practice that religion which the divine Peter the Apostle transmitted to the Romans. We shall believe in the single Deity of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, under the concept of equal majesty and of the Holy Trinity. We command that those persons who follow this rule shall embrace the name of Catholic Christians. The rest, however, whom We adjudge demented and insane, shall sustain the infamy of heretical dogmas, their meeting places shall not receive the name of churches, and they shall be smitten first by divine vengeance and secondly by the retribution of Our own initiative, which We shall assume in accordance with divine judgment.

Emperor Theodosius 380 AD

b. Patrick, missionary to Ireland (389? – 461?)

i. Evangelical Celtic believer from Britain (not connected to the Roman Church)

ii. Father was a ‘deacon’; Grandfather was a priest in the Celtic church

iii. Patrick did not become a believer until he was captive by an Irish raiding party and became a slave in Ireland

iv. Escaped after 6 years; went to Gaul to study; in 432 AD went back to Ireland as a missionary

v. Changed Ireland for God

vi. Unlike Roman Catholics, Patrick and the Celtic missionaries that followed placed a lot of emphasis on spiritual growth.

c. Frumentius – missionary to Ethiopia

i. Going to India with his uncle and a friend

ii. Seized by pirates in the Red Seas; sold as slaves to the King of Ethiopia

iii. Became the virtual ruler of Ethiopia upon kings death; ruled on behalf of the kings son, Ezana

iv. When the new king was old enough, Frumentius and his friend was set free; went to Alexandria

v. Commissioned as a bishop and returned as a missionary

vi. Converted Ezana to Christianity

vii. Ethiopian church is the only African church that was not conquered by Islam