Our readings in this series are from the book, The Church Captive. Here is a brief excerpt from page 34:
“Columbanus (543-615 AD), the greatest of the Irish peregrini, arrived from Ireland to Gaul in 590, accompanied by 12 companions. At nearly 50 years of age, Columbanus left his teaching post at the monastery in Bangor to follow the Lord’s call to the mission field. He and his hand-selected team immediately set about the task of spreading the Gospel and Kingdom of Christ. And almost as immediately, they were swamped by people young and old, eager to discover true Christian life.
“Over the next 12 years, Columbanus and his team proclaimed the Gospel boldly and forthrightly, in season and out of season. So many thousands of people came to Christ that they had to start three monasteries – Annegray, Luxeuil, and Fontana – to accommodate them. They preached the Gospel of faith in Jesus, simplicity of life, strictness of spiritual disciplines, mercy to all those in need, and intolerance of sin. This last area caused them to run afoul of both kings and clergy, as Columbanus and his team spoke out publicly against the scandalous sins of the nation’s civil and religious leaders.”
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.
