Our readings in this series are from the book, The Church Captive. Here is a brief excerpt from pages 25 and 26:
“Toward the middle of the third century, the sense began to be widespread among many Christians that the Church was drifting from the reality of authentic faith. It was becoming too structured and formal; the simple life of love for God and neighbor was being replaced by protocols and rituals; a little too much dancing around civil government was afoot; and competing theological campsgave a political spin to the Christian movement that many found distasteful.
Slowly, believers began retreating from what had become a normal Christian life, to the deserts, where they pursued simple lives individually and in small groups. They followed rigid disciplines and concentrated on seeking the Lord in prayer and service to others. After the peace granted by Constantine, early in the fourth century, the trickle became a steady flow, as the sense of unreality about the faith spread and became more distinct. By the end of the fourth century, tens of thousands of devoted believers had walked away from the established churches to seek the authentic faith of Christ in the deserts of the Roman world.
Among these were some of the greatest thinkers of Christian history…”
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. For The Fellowship of Ailbe, this is T. M. Moore.
