Happy St.Patrick's Day

Here is a great message about St. Patrick's Day from Curtis Hail, the president of e3...

"How The Irish Really Saved Civilization

As Evangelicals, most of us know little more about St. Patrick’s Day than it is a happy occasion for many Irish, and many more who at least once-a-year wish they were Irish, to have too much beer and participate in a good-natured moving party called a “parade”. Even the most fervent Protestant among us might sneak a bit of green into our wardrobe on this occasion; if not to pay homage to Patrick, then to at least avoid being a kill-joy at the office or to escape a pinch.

In the revelry, the inspiring story of Saint Patrick is often lost. Even less appreciated is the spiritual legacy he left behind which indeed could be argued truly did save, perhaps even create, the western civilization we’ve known for a thousand plus years. Patrick was born in Roman Britain, probably in the late fourth century. At age sixteen he was captured by Irish raiders and taken to live as a slave in Ireland for six years. He escaped and returned home – and returned to serve in The Church of his forefathers.

Patrick, as a Christian missionary, eventually journeyed back to the land and people who once enslaved him. In Ireland, he ministered the love and good news of Jesus Christ to those who had so abused him. His sacrificial life and forgiving heart served as great testimony to the reality of his message. You probably know about this part of the story and how he went on to establish Christianity among the Irish, being remembered by all as St. Patrick by the eighth century.

But, do you know about his greatest spiritual legacy – the Celtic Church? George G. Hunter III, in his book, “The Celtic Way of Evangelism; how Christianity can reach the West…again”, describes well the unique characteristics of the Celtic Church and its incredible impact on Europe and the world. And he argues that these same patterns and principles, which were lost when the Roman Church finally overwhelmed the Celtic Church with its rigid, formulaic “Western” forms, can be utilized today to win again a pagan Europe – and others elsewhere unfamiliar with the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

The Celtic Church developed a missions approach to evangelism and church planting which is both biblical and historically significant. They moved in close to indigenous people, learned their ways and beliefs, befriended and served them. Then using language and models which the indigenous would understand, the Celtic Christians began to introduce Christ to the people, one at a time. As they thoroughly equipped the new converts, they instructed them how to win and disciple others. And they deeply and firmly established a new church in the indigenous community before moving on. These churches continued the outreach. And though they were encouraged to adapt their own cultural elements, such as worship and music, it was inevitable that the indigenous Church transformed their communities and cultures - not conformed to the Celts ways, but transformed to the likeness of Christ and what His people should look like in their distinct cultural context. The Celtic church quickly succeeded across Ireland and then proceeded across Europe. Hunter argues that the Celtic Church is largely responsible for the truly effective evangelization – and “Christianization” – of Europe.
What was the core of the Celtic way of evangelism? It was church planting! It was bringing the Gospel to people in forms they could understand and in a heart language that touched them. And it was establishing Churches with indigenous leaders, rooted in their own relevant cultural expressions. And it was training those indigenous Christians to continue on the good work as the Celts moved to the next community to begin again. This biblical, practical, methodical and highly effective approach produced a vibrant and multiplying church across the Isles and the Continent of Europe. That is as much responsible for what the West later gave rise to as anything else. Thank you Patrick and the Celtic Church for being faithful and wise, and laying the foundation for things which would arise generations later – a few of those little “Western Civilization” ideas like democracy, value of the individual including women, free speech…

So when you see Thomas Cahill’s not-so-tongue-in-cheek book title, “How The Irish Saved Civilization”, know that there is even more to the story. Have greater appreciation for the role of St. Patrick and the later emergence of the Celtic church planting movement as one of the great forces in human history. And realize that The Church of Jesus Christ urgently and desperately needs to return to many of the Celtic Church practices and patterns."

I hope this helps you celebrate the day, Happy St.Patrick's Day!

Agape,

Chris