Our readings in this series are from the book, The Church Captive. Here is a brief excerpt from pages 35 and 36:
“After 12 years of putting up with Columbanus’ growing ministry and influence, the bishops of Gaul decided to silence him and to bring his ministry under their control. They convened a synod in Chalon in 603, in which they determined to hoist him on his unorthodox Easter petard, and send him packing.
“The problem was that Columbanus refused to submit to their authority and declined their invitation. Instead, he wrote them a lengthy epistle… He charged them with seeking lives of ease rather than the Kingdom of God. Their complaints against him had no grounding in Scripture, whereas their conduct in ministry ran contrary to the teaching of our Good Shepherd. They minimized sin, both among their ranks and in their parishes. They risked no teaching that might bring the wrath of civil authorities against them. They feared men and persecution rather than God. Columbanus called on each of the members of the synod to “examine himself, whether he has firmly fulfilled or borne these duties, lest he should be estranged from the disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ”. He insisted they lay aside their pride, lusts, and mortal cares, and seek the peace and wellbeing of the Lord’s flock. The ‘poisons of pride and envy and vain glory’ must be replaced by sincere love of the brethren.”
Now, and for a limited time, you can order The Church Captive together with the next book in our Read Moore series, Revived!, at no cost. Order copies for yourself and for a study group or companion. A free discussion guide is available as well.
T. M. Moore.
