How God's Church Was Driven into the Wilderness

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CHAPTER 11
HOW THE CHURCH WAS DRIVEN INTO THE WILDERNESS

While the Church of the East was busily expanding into new countries interesting changes were taking place with God's Church in Europe as it spread the gospel. We will look at some of the great men and women who were used by God during a time of political and religious unrest.

You remember in Nebuchadnazzar's dream of the image, that the ten toes represented ten kingdoms which would never be united together. In Daniel's dream about the beast with ten horns we see a similar division representing ten nations. This division took place approximately from AD 250 – 500 when the Roman Empire was broken up into ten new nations.

In each of these new countries there was a spiritual struggle taking place which lasted for hundreds of years. There were three choices for the people:

They would keep their pagan customs and beliefs

They would accept the Celtic religion which stemmed from the Christian church at Antioch

Or they would fall under the growing dominance of the Church of Rome

It was an exciting time for those who watched as nations and religions struggled for supremacy. It was at this time that Ulfilas lived. Patrick of Ireland and Lucian of Antioch were like "bookends" for Ulfilas. He was just a boy while Lucian was alive and Patrick began his work just as Ulfilas was finishing his.

Ulfilas was a Goth (from what today is France) who lived from AD 311 – 388. His forefathers had come to Europe from Asia Minor and brought with them the teachings of the early apostolic church, which they had learned from great leaders like the apostle Paul. As Ulfilas grew up he realized that there were two positions within the professed church of Christ and he would have to decide which side would have his loyalty. .

Constantine, the newly converted Roman emperor, believed that some compromises with paganism were fine since more people would accept Christianity. Ulfilas did not agree with the allegorizing of scripture coming from Alexandria or compromises with pagan beliefs. He chose to keep the pure faith that had been handed down from the apostles. This decision put him in opposition to the Roman Church.

While most of Europe was in chaos from all the fighting between the ten nations, the Roman Church began to secure government/state power. It was at this time that Ulfilas began to evangelize the Gothic people and in a remarkably short time he had converted the whole nation to God.

The Goths didn't have a written language so Ulfilas had to invent an alphabet based on the various sounds in the Gothic language. The Bible became their best piece of literature. Like Patrick and Columba, Ulfilas taught his followers to keep the seventh-day Sabbath. They also allowed their priests to marry, they did not use images or statues and did not celebrate the Mass.

We don't want you to confuse the Goths at this time with the Christians known as the Church in the Wilderness. These Goths were a war-like people and did a lot of fighting through much of Europe, however we are told that when the Goths and Vandals went to war against the mighty Roman Empire they came as Christians. They did not burn the churches nor participate in the immoral things that the Saxons had done in Britain during its invasion.

History tells us that Constantine II (the son of Constantine) removed his support and protection from the Roman Church and gave it to the Goths. This made the corrupt leaders of the church angry and they began to call the Goths names like Arians. This was something that the Roman Church often did. Whenever someone did not agree with the compromises the Roman Church was making to God's Word, its leaders began to call those people names. This is still Satan's strategy today.

Satan was not happy as he saw pagan nations like Gaul and Germany following the life-changing truths of the Bible which Ulfilas taught them. The devil needed a strong power which would not only subdue kingdoms and rulers but would bring religion under his principles. Here is where we see God's prophecies through Daniel being fulfilled.

Let us turn in the Bible and read about how the church of God was driven into the wilderness. Daniel 7:24 says, "And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings." Those who have studied history and the Bible agree that these ten horns refer to the ten divisions in Europe which we have been talking about.

Let us learn about the rise of the "little horn" which Daniel saw. Because there was so much war in Europe at this time it made sense that those who had the same religion should help each other in battle. The Franks, who were pagans, were looking greedily at the rich agricultural land of southern France possessed by the Christian Visigoths. Clovis, king of the Franks, decided to pretend to be converted to Rome's church and then ask for the help of the Roman Church in defeating the Visigoths and claiming their land. This left Roman Catholicism as the dominant religion in southern France. Clovis first defeated the Heroli, then in AD 509 he took the kingdom from the Visigoths (Vandals) of southern France, and finally in AD 538 the Ostrogoths in Italy were overthrown. This allowed the "little horn" –the papacy – to gain power.

Roman Emperor Justinian decided to make all the lands under his rule obedient to the papacy. He wrote an edict that said that everyone in his kingdom had three months to become Catholics or they would not be able to have a job, their property could not be willed to their children, and their lands and homes would be taken away.

Many people refused to join the Roman Church and were driven from their homes. Some people tried to go to other lands such as India but they were almost always stopped at the mountain passes and stripped of their jewels and money that they were carrying - most were then murdered. Some had all their clothes taken and were then left to die of exposure to the cold. All through this awful time the pope said nothing to stop this terrible persecution.

In AD 538 the pope began his rule as the "little horn." Justinian, the Roman emperor, publically announced the pope to be "The Head of all the Holy Churches." The pope's kingdom is called the Vatican. It is a tiny kingdom surrounded by the city of Rome. It is only ten square miles but it appoints ambassadors to all major countries, has its own money and postal service. Don't be fooled by the size of the kingdom; the Vatican has world-wide power and influence. Her biggest claim to authority on religious matters is that her traditions are equal with the authority of the scriptures.

With Jusinian's decree the Vatican immediately began to flex her muscles. She continued with the persecutions that Justinian had started and began to hunt the refugees from the East who had come to Italy seeking peace and safety. These people joined the Waldenses who lived in the mountains of northern Italy. These people studied their Bibles and were convinced that the papacy was the "little horn" of Daniel. It was at this time that the words of Revelation 12:14 became a reality: "And to the woman (God's Church) were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time (1260 years) from the face of the serpent."

We call this time when the papacy had full control over Europe's religions and governments the Dark Ages. It was a dark time for God's Word which was taken from the people and burned. It was a dark time for His faithful followers who had to flee from persecution. It also was a dark time for worldly learning since schools were closed and instructors were forbidden to teach math or Greek, art or business. Most importantly, freedom of thought were stifled which caused darkness in the mind.

The Roman Church conquered places such as Ireland, the lands of the Goths and even Italy. But rather than schools, books and industrious people, they left behind only darkness and bloodshed. It was a sad time for God's people and the truth of His scriptures.

CHAPTER 12
DINOOTH AND THE CHURCH IN WALES
(C.A. 530 – 610)

To continue tracing the history of God's church we will now go back to the British Isles to see how that church was driven into the wilderness. You will remember that Christianity spread rapidly for four hundred years while the Roman Empire ruled the British Isles. Because the church under Patrick and Columba was separated from Europe they were not bothered by the changes that the Roman Church was making on the mainland. They followed the simple religion that had been given to them from the believers in Asia Minor.

Dinooth was the director of the Celtic Church in England and Wales at this time. He had studied under Columba and followed the same methods of evangelizing that Columba had successfully used in Scotland. God blessed Dinooth's work and many Welsh believers were won to Christ and gave up their former Druid worship.

However, there were political changes in the world that were going to effect these simple, godly Christians. When war broke out between the Goths and the Roman Empire in AD 410 the soldiers who maintained order in Britain were called back to Rome to help defending their country. With their strong military presence gone, the Picts from Scotland and the Saxons from Scandinavia invaded England and Wales. This fighting and killing greatly weakened the Celtic Church of England. While the church in Wales was able to keep their faith alive, England slowly slipped back into paganism under the continuous war with the Anglo-Saxons. Their churches were replaced with heathen temples and slowly the light of the gospel was put out. During this time however, God's truth went forward in Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

In England the victorious Anglo-Saxons formed an alliance of seven kingdoms which we know as the Heptarchy. The strongest kingdom was Kent. This kingdom was ruled from AD 560 – 616 by Ethelbert who was married to Bertha, the daughter of the Frank's Roman Catholic king. The papacy knew that this would be a big advantage in its plans for the British Isles. For 200 years the Roman Church had tried to establish themselves, but the thorough work done by Patrick, Columba and others had made it almost impossible for the people to accept Rome's idols and magic.

Bertha was very loyal to the Catholic Church and she brought powerful monks and other church leaders to England. Augustine arrived in England in AD 597 accompanied by his monks. We are told they came to Kent "bearing a silver cross for their banner, and the image of our Lord and Saviour painted on a board: and singing the litany." Truth Triumphant 158.

Augustine was given permission to repair broken churches and to preach to the people. It is believed that he suggested that laws be passed making it a worse punishment to offend a bishop or harm a church building than if someone offended the king. The pope announced that Augustine was to be the head of all the British bishops. This gave him power not only over the Roman Catholics but over the leaders of the Celtic Church, too. Through these kind of laws the Roman Church was able to strengthen its control and begin the collapse of the Celtic Church.

It is interesting to read what one historian wrote about the methods used by Rome to "convert" the people. "At first it was [Pope] Gregory's intention, which he intimated, indeed, to King Ethelbert, to have all the temples of idolatry destroyed; but on maturer reflection, he altered his mind, and dispatched a letter … in which he declared, that the idol temples, if well built, ought not to be destroyed, but sprinkled with holy water, and sanctified by holy relics, should be converted into temples of the living God; so that the people might be more easily induced to assemble in their accustomed places. Moreover, the festivals in honor of the idols, of which the rude people had been deprived, should be replaced by others, either on the anniversaries of the consecration of churches, or on days devoted to the memory of the saints, whose relics were deposited in them. ...Being thus allowed to indulge in some sensual enjoyments they could be the more easily led to those which are inward and spiritual." Truth Triumphant 169.

This was the beginning of taking the people's holidays and "Christianizing" them. If you study it out Valentine's Day, Halloween, All Saints' Day, Easter and Christmas all have their roots in paganism and were adopted by the Roman Church as their holy days.

Augustine influenced King Ethelbert to invite the leaders of the Celtic church to Augustine's Oak for meetings. Dinooth was the president of the training school at Bangor which had over 2100 students at that time. He had watched with interest the various changes which had taken place under Augustine. As the leader of both the school and the Celtic Churches in Wales, Dinooth was one of the invited delegates.

"The Roman Catholics began by accusing the Celtic pastors of doing many things against the unity of the church. Augustine requested them to abandon their method of keeping Easter, to preserve Catholic unity, and to undertake in common the preaching of the gospel to the pagans. …It was clearly evident to those pastors … that the unity demanded of them meant the loss of their identity. They refused to be swayed by the exhortations and rebukes of Augustine and his companions. They gave answer that it was their preference to follow their own Christian practices." Truth Triumphant 160.

A second meeting was called with seven leaders of the Celtic Church. "Before these delegates left for this conference they visited one of their ancient men noted for his sanctity and wisdom to ask his advice. He counseled them to let Augustine and his party arrive at the place of meeting first. If, when the Britons arrived, Augustine arose and received them with the meekness and humility of Christ, they were to look upon him as heaven's messenger. If, however, he displayed haughtiness and arrogance, it was a sign that they were to refuse to fellowship with him or accept his authority.

"When they did arrive at the place of meeting, Augustine was already there and, retaining his seat, did not deign to rise. Whereupon, the Britons charged him with pride, answering all his arguments. Augustine commanded them to keep Easter according to the Church of Rome, to give up their evangelical unity, and to become Romanists. The Britons fully and determinedly rejected Augustine's claims to the superior authority of his church and the supremacy of the pope who sent him. They declared that 'they would do none of those things, nor receive him as their archbishop.'" Truth Triumphant 161.

There were other things on which the two sides could not agree. Pope Gregory had announced that things voted on during the first four general councils of the church were equal with the gospels. This of course was not accepted by those who followed the Bible. The Roman Church was criticized because they accepted the idolatrous festivals of the pagans and Augustine allowed idols to be brought into the churches. These relics and celebrations were always rejected and abandoned by converts to the Celtic Church. The Celtic Church also rejected the idea of the pope as the universal head of the church and they did not accept the understanding that the bishop was a person of authority rather than a pastor. They also rejected the Roman Church's call for pastors to not marry.

But one of the biggest controversies came over the Sabbath. While Rome was trying to have everyone keep her Sunday-sabbath the Celtic Church absolutely refused to worship on any day other than the seventh-day Sabbath. "There is much evidence that the Sabbath prevailed in Wales universally until AD 1115, when the first Roman bishop was seated at St. David's. The old Welsh Sabbathkeeping churches did not even then altogether bow the knee to Rome, but fled to their hiding places 'where the ordinances of the gospel to this day have been administered in their primitive mode without being adulterated by the corrupt Church of Rome.'" Truth Triumphant 164.

For 700 years the Celtic Church in Wales was harassed, flattered, threatened and manipulated until finally the Church of Rome took control of it. Dr. Wilkinson shows eight steps that were used to bring God's church into submission to the Roman Catholic Church:

Some of the Celtic pastors felt it was necessary to be ordained by the papal leader, the archbishop of Canterbury.

The bishop of England decided he had the power to choose the pastors for Wales.

England built a Catholic monastery on Welsh land they had won during wars.

Welsh people who owed taxes had their lands taken away and given to the bishop.

The papal clergy were always trying to agitate trouble between the Welsh princes and the Welsh pastors.

Through intimidation the princes saw that it was better for them to distance themselves from the Welsh pastors.

The papal leaders began to hold conventions in Wales.

The Welsh pastors allowed a Catholic bishop to take a tour through their territory.

Although both the civil and religious laws of England took control of Wales in 1272 the people continued their distrust and dislike of their English rulers. The proud and independent people retained their love of truth and when Methodism swept through Wales the people gladly accepted its evangelism.

CHAPTER 13
AIDEN AND THE CHURCH IN ENGLAND
(-651)

If you read Roman Catholic history you will be told about the great success of Augustine in converting England to Christianity; however, not all historians agrees with her view. Rapin de Thoyras says, "Austin [Augustine] has had the honor of converting the English, when in the main the progress he made was not very considerable. 'Tis true he preached to the Saxons of Kent, as Mellitus did to those of Essex, and that with good success. … Augustine in the height of his success, for which he is so greatly honored, established but two bishops only, Justus at Rochester (in his own Kent), and Mellitus at London, though the pope had expressly ordered him to settle bishops wherever there should be occasion. ... This is clear evidence, that the progress ascribed to him was not as considerable as Gregory imagines. … It is therefore surprisingly strange that the conversion of the English should be ascribed to Augustine, rather than to Aidan, to Finan, to Colman, to Cedd, to Diuma and the other Scotch monks, who undoubtedly labored much more abundantly than he. But here lies the case. These last had not their orders from Rome, and therefore must not be allowed any share in the glory of this work." Truth Triumphant 177.

Let us learn more about one of these great men of God who took the gospel to England. Although we are not sure of Aidan's birthday we do know that he was born in Ireland and was one of the famous students who trained at Iona. Aidan, like all the students who attended Columba's school, had wonderful teachers who trained him in all the knowledge of that day. He knew the scriptures well, was experienced in farming and had practical skills that would bring success to his ministry. He also had the opportunity while at the school to speak with visiting travelers who shared their experiences from not only far off places like Iceland and the Holy Land but the various countries that today make up the British Islands. This knowledge would give Aidan a good understanding of the seven kingdoms (the Heptarchy) of England where God would call him to work.

Aidan's call to minister in pagan England was rather interesting. A request had come to Iona from King Oswald of Northumbria for an evangelist to work among his people. A student who was known for his Bible knowledge along with his ability to live a simple life was chosen by a committee. Unfortunately this young man, like the ten spies that Moses sent into the Promised Land, quickly returned to Iona with a report of how fierce the people were and listed the many problems facing a worker in Northumbria. The committee then decided on a student who was known for his love, gentleness and patience – Aiden.

King Oswald of Northumbria was an interesting man. His father had become converted by a Roman priest named Paulinus, who came from Kent where Augustine was from. Oswald's father followed the superficial worship of the Roman Church and many of his subjects went back to paganism and idolatry when their leader was killed in battle. During the unrest caused by his father's death Oswald fled to Iona for safety and while there he learned the beauty of the gospel from the dedicated Celtic teachers and pastors. Even though his father's priest, Paulinus, was still alive, Oswald chose to bring from Iona a spiritual leader who would teach his people the ways of Columba.

Aidan won the respect of the people of Northumbria. He was not haughty and proud and he did not seek for riches and power. Oswald was so happy to have an evangelist for his people that he himself did the humble task of translating sermons while Aidan learned the native language. Because of this missionary's consistent life, which matched the words that he taught, it was not long before more and more people joined the Celtic church in Northumbria.

This is what was written of Aiden by a famous historian: "It was the highest commendation of his doctrine, with all men, that he taught no otherwise than he and his followers had lived; for he neither sought nor loved anything of this world, but delighted in distribution immediately among the poor whatsoever was given him by the kings or rich men of the world. He was wont to traverse both town and country on foot, never on horseback, unless compelled by some urgent necessity; and wherever in his way he saw any, either rich or poor, he invited them, if infidels, to embrace the mystery of the faith; or if they were believers, to strengthen them in the faith, and to stir them up by words and actions to alms and good works." Truth Triumphant 170, 171.

Aidan was a man of prayer. Early in his ministry King Oswald gave him the island of Lindisfarne to begin an educational center. Using Iona as his model, Aidan built a school surrounded by fields which supplied food and work for the students who attended. This school was kept small because Aidan believed that many small schools needed to be built to shine the light of the gospel in many places rather than having one large training school.

Aidan was a hard worker and began work on another school shortly after building Lindisfarne. This training center, on the Tweed River, was called Melrose. At these schools young people were trained to go as missionaries to their own people or to attempt taking the gospel into areas in darkness.

Sometimes when reading about these early Celtic schools it causes confusion when they are called "monasteries" and the students were known as "monks." Today when we hear these words we think of a division of unmarried Catholic clergy. This is not what the word originally meant. The students of the Celtic training school often married and many times it would be their children who would take over their pastorates when they died. Celtic monasteries were simply the training schools for the teachers and pastors (monks) who would lead the churches.

The most famous training center for England was established at Whitby during the time of Aidan. This school was not built by Aiden but rather by a godly woman named Hilda. She was a member of the royal family and even as a child was known for her deep love and devotion for God. When many went back to paganism after the superficial work done by Augustine, she moved away and spent time in two different training centers before returning when King Oswald took the throne.

Arriving back in England she began the mammoth job of building Whitby. Hilda had a vision for a Bible training center where women could receive an education along with the men. The women were trained in giving Bible studies and they also were given practical experience in domestic jobs which would be valuable throughout their life. Hilda was known as a woman of unusual wisdom and her deed of mercy and service gave her a reputation as a wise counselor. Dr. Wilkinson tells us that even kings and princes came to her for advice.

It was from Whitby that England's first poet appeared. Often as entertainment in the evening the students would pass around a harp and take turns singing songs to each other. Caedmon, a poor and shy man, felt the others were much more talented than he was and he refused the harp and instead went out to sleep in the stable where he was in charge of the cattle.

One night as he slept he was given a dream in which a man appeared to him and asked Caedmon to sing for him. Caedmon replied that he couldn't sing and expressed his sorrow that he didn't sing like his fellow students. The man told him to sing and when Caedmon asked what to sing he replied, "The beginning of created things." Immediately Caedmon began to sing and compose a poem praising God. We no longer have the whole poem that we call "Caedmon's Hymn" but one early historian gave us the following few lines which he copied from the original text:

Now we should praise the Guardian of the Heavenly Kingdom
The Ruler's power and His understanding,
The work of the Father of Glory, how He, eternal Lord
Established the beginning of every wondrous thing.
He first created Heaven as a roof
For the children of mankind, the holy Creator;
Then the Guardian of mankind,
The eternal Lord, afterward adorned the earth –
The Lord Almighty adorned the world for men.

Hilda heard of the amazing gift which had been given to this man and asked him to come and tell her about his dream. She encouraged him to always use his gift for the glory of God. Students at the school would bring Bible verses to Caedmon and he would make them into beautiful verses sung to sacred music. Although many people could not afford Bibles or other books, through the songs of Caedmon many of the people heard the messages of Jesus and salvation taught by Aidan and his disciples.

Hilda stood firm in her opposition to what she saw happening with the Roman Church and she spoke against their authority and doctrine – especially the papal Easter. When the meeting between the papist and the British delegation took place at Whitby in AD 664, Hilda was on the side of Colman, a successor of Aiden.

After Aidan's death a man named Finan was chosen to take his place. It was during this time that an interesting story took place. A young prince named Peada fell in love with the daughter of King Oswy who was a brother of King Oswald. When he asked for permission to marry the beautiful Elfleda her father refused because Peada was not a Christian. He encouraged the prince to learn about the teachings of Christ so he would be able to help convert his people.

Peada did study the Bible and learned about the gospel, the resurrection, and a future life forever with Jesus. He was so excited about what he was learning that he told King Oswy that even if he did not win the love of Elfleda that he wanted to learn more about God. Finan was asked to instruct Peada in the scriptures and after preparing him well, baptized him. Four pastors were sent to give him further studies and they also stayed to help evangelize the people of Peada's land. Many people, even of the nobility, were converted, gave up their idols and were baptized.

The Christian faith continued to spread. Many of those who had been taught by Augustine had slipped back into idolatry but under Finan's leadership many turned back to God and renounced their idols and paganism. A training school was built in Tillbery and from there went young people to spread the gospel to the kingdom of Essex.

After the death of Finan, Colman became the leader of the Celtic Church. Christianity had spread rapidly throughout England, but Satan was busy and was planning a way to break the power of the gospel. King Oswy was married to a Roman Catholic queen and she and her chaplain, Wilfrid, were determined to stop Colman and his missionaries from evangelizing.

After three years in office, Colman had to face the same dispute about Easter which earlier leaders had faced. In some countries those who opposed Rome in this matter were put to death, but the queen had to use a different method in dealing with the Celtic Church. She proposed a debate and the King ordered that it take place at Witby. On one side there were Colman, Hilda, Bishop Cedd and other Bible-believing Christians while on the other side were the king, queen, Prince Alchfrid, Wilfrid and two of his priests.

Colman was able to clearly defend his position with convincing argument, but Wilfrid brought the debate around to the idea that Peter had been given the keys of heaven and hell and the pope (Peter's successor) was now the head of the Roman Church. Anyone going against the universal church (the Roman Catholic Church) was fighting God and making himself the enemy of God. The king felt that if Jesus had said, "Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church, … and to thee I will give the keys of the kingdom of heaven," that the successor of Peter (the pope) should be obeyed in all things -including when Easter would be celebrated. Through this type of reasoning the kings of Europe and the British Isles were brought under the rulership of the papal power.

It would be good to spend a few minutes studying this verse in Matthew 16:18 since it is the verse that Rome uses as proof of her power to lead Jesus' Church on earth. To understand this verse we must look at the Greek words which are used. When Jesus said, "And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter," the Greek word "Peter" is Petros which means a small pebble; a rolling stone – something unstable which you must never build upon for Petros is moveable. Jesus continued and said, "And upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." Now the Greek word translated "rock" is Petra which means a mighty rock. One person has illustrated Petra as El Capitan, a huge rock in Yosemite National Park in California. It stands over 4,000 feet in the air and is made up of solid granite which is embedded deep within the earth. Christ is saying that He will build His church upon a mighty Rock – Himself – not Peter, the rolling pebble.

When Colman could see that reasoning from scripture was having no effect on the king or others at the meeting he knew that to resist further would result in bloodshed. Immediately he and his followers left for Iona. For the next four hundred years truth seemed to be buried under the rubbish of false doctrine, ceremony and image worship. However, those seeds of truth sprang to life when watered by Wycliffe and his followers many years later and began the Reformation which ended in Protestantism.

CHAPTER 14
COLUMBANUS AND THE CHURCH IN EUROPE
(AD 543 - 615)

While Europe was descending into the Dark Ages of ignorance, God prepared a brilliant and dedicated man to help dispel the darkness of that continent.

Columbanus was a graduate of the school at Bangor where he became fluent in the scriptures and music and perfected his gift of writing poetry. There were many times when he would take his Bible and go out by himself to spend time with God. When he would return we are told that he came back strengthened and refreshed like Jesus did when He spent nights in prayer with His Father.

We are told that Columbanus was an exceptionally tall, strong and handsome man and he had many women who hoped to win his heart. However, Columbanus' first love was for God and as he heard about the need for missionaries in France he determined to be the one to take Celtic Christianity to them.

King Guntram was very pleased that such a well educated man wanted to begin a training school in his country and he quickly offered him a half-ruined Roman fort at Anagrates that he could use as the location for his mission. This land was gratefully accepted.

Building a school takes a lot of careful planning and hard work. While the buildings were being built and the land was being prepared so crops could be sown Columbanus and the Celtic missionaries who came with him experienced many hardships. Sometimes there was little food and they had to live on berries, the bark of trees and other plants they could find in the forest. Even though there wasn't enough food they had to continue the strenuous work of building and clearing land. When the king heard about their lack of food he sent provisions to the appreciative missionaries.

Reports of the new mission spread quickly. People had heard of Iona and they were thrilled that there was a training school where the skills and scriptures of the Irish colleges could be learned in their own country. Young people came flocking from all over the land to Anagrates wanting to attend the school. Many of these students were from the noble families which wanted their children to be trained in the learning of the day.

While the Celtic Church understood the need of the people to receive an education the pope in Rome, Gregory I, had issued an order in which he denounced learning in general and banned the teaching of mathematics and Greek in particular. Parents who were educated saw the need to send their children to Columbanus' school to be trained for useful service to God and to keep knowledge alive in their country.

The reason for the success of these missionaries can be found not only in their hard work and brilliant education but in their exemplary life. One writer said this about them: "Modesty and sobriety, gentleness and mildness shone forth in them all. The evils of sloth and of unruly tempers were expelled. Pride and haughtiness were expiated by severe punishments. Scorn and envy were driven out by faithful diligence. So great was the strength of their patience, love, and mildness that no one could doubt that the God of mercy dwelt among them." Truth Triumphant 186.

It wasn't long before Anagrates was too small and Columbanus made plans to begin another training center. He received permission from King Guntram to build a second school at Luxeuil which was at the base of the Vosges mountains. Here in a quiet wilderness area another old Roman ruin provided the beginnings for the new school.

Again they felled and cleared trees, constructed buildings and planted. Again youth from all over flocked to Luxeuil to be taught. It wasn't long before this school could not meet the demands for those wanting an education and the missionaries began the process all over again. We are told that a third training school was built and from these places of learning went young people who knew the scriptures and had acquired skills needed to begin their own missionary centers.

The Roman priests were jealous of the Celtic missionaries. They tried to order Columbanus to appear before them to answer for his faith, but he refused. He sent them a letter and asked to be left alone to do the work God had called him to do. One Roman historian put it this way, "Remonstrance was useless; they adhered tenaciously to their country's usages. Nothing could convince them that what St. Patrick and the saints of Ireland had handed down to them could by any possibility be wrong. They only wanted to be let alone. They did not desire to impose their usages on others. Why should others impose their usages on them. They had a right to be allowed to live in peace in their wilderness, for they injured no man, and they prayed for all." Truth Triumphant 189.

The teachings of the Celtic Church often did not agree with the priests. While the missionaries from Ireland believed in the supreme authority of the Scriptures, Rome did not. The Romish Church upheld the importance of the pope, the need for the clergy to not marry, transubstantiation, the Trinity and other doctrines which the missionaries could not accept.

Although historical proof has been erased we must also wonder whether the keeping of Saturday as the Sabbath was another teaching that Rome tried to undermine. What we do know is that Pope Gregory I was so upset with Christians in Rome for keeping the seventh-day Sabbath "that in 602 he issued a bull declaring that when antichrist should come, he would keep Saturday for the Sabbath." Truth Triumphant 195. We can see all through history the Sabbath being the object of special hatred against God's true church.

Although King Guntram had been an influential friend to the Celtic missionaries, Satan was busy trying to cause hardship for these humble workers for God. The king's sister-in-law, Queen Brunhilda of Austrasia, was a strong Roman Catholic and took a deep dislike to Columbanus when he rebuked her for the evil things that were happening at the court. She vowed to help the bishops attack the Celtic faith and get rid of their educational system.

Columbanus was ordered banished, but rather than sail for home he went to Soissons, the capital of King Clotaire II, where he accepted a position similar to that of Prime Minister. During travels at this time we see Columbanus' influence expanding to include King Theodebert (from what today is Germany) and other influential leaders. For several years Columbanus worked in Germany and Switzerland and left behind many schools which continued the training of youth and the preservation of the scriptures.

When he was seventy years old Columbanus made a special journey to see King Agilulf of the Lombards. Here he found followers of the Church of the East – descendants of the Goths and Lombards. The people were thrilled to have a visit from this famous missionary from Ireland. It is believed that it was at this time, here in the towering Italian Alps, that the Celts and the Waldenses joined hands in spreading the gospel.

The king gave a ruined church in Bobbio and again Columbanus set to work creating a school out of the forest and lands. We are told that he had a special gift for farming and under his direction the land was tilled and planted to produce abundant harvests. He was known for his skill in domesticating wild animals which were used to keep the farm running smoothly.

Some of you may have heard of the famous library at Bobbio. It contained rare manuscripts from Ireland, books that Columbanus wrote, copies of the Holy Scriptures and of course books for the various courses taught at the school. We are told that "a tenth-century catalogue … shows that at that period every branch of knowledge, divine and human, was represented in this library." Truth Triumphant 193.

Because of the great legacy of Columbanus – his many schools and books and scholars - plus his truly Christian life and example, the Roman Catholic Church found his memory too strong to erase. They finally had to do for him what they did for Patrick and Columba; they made him a saint and claimed him as their own.

CHAPTER 15
THE CHURCH IN EUROPE AFTER THE TIME OF COLUMBANUS

Whenever the gospel of Jesus is taken to an area it brings great changes. The Celtic missionaries found Europe in ignorance and disorganization. Their homes were unclean and most lived in poverty and hunger. However, after the work of Columbanus and his fellow missionaries there were found clean, prosperous farms filled with healthy, domesticated animals. Places that had formerly been deserts were now lush and useful. Those who came to Europe with Columbanus later took their learning and skills and built up towns, schools and libraries throughout the countryside. The scriptures were continually copied so truth was known and followed.

The Celtic centers graduated well-trained students who went back to their homes with not only skills to create a comfortable life for themselves, but with a missionary spirit which taught truth to those in darkness. The papacy watched this well-organized church with fear. The pastors of the Celtic Church outnumbered those of the Roman Church so they knew they must find a way to limit their influence.

Onto the stage of this drama we meet Winfried who was better known in history as Boniface. His mission for the pope was to bring the widespread Celtic Church into obedience to the papacy. We are told that the pope took Boniface to the supposed tomb of the apostle Peter in Rome and made him take an oath of loyalty to the pope saying that he would work for the downfall of the Irish missionaries. This was the first time that an oath had been taken, but since then many Roman Catholics (including the Jesuits) have taken vows to uphold the papacy and destroy any of her dissenters.

You might find part of this oath interesting to read. Boniface promised, "I will abide in the unity of the Catholic faith, and I will in no manner agree with anything contrary to the unity of the Catholic church. … Whenever I find that the conduct of the presiding officers of churches contradicts the ancient decrees and ordinances of the fathers, I will have no fellowship or connection with them; but, on the contrary, if I can hinder them, I will hinder them; and if not, report them faithfully to the pope." Truth Triumphant 201.

Boniface used all sorts of methods to further the cause he had sworn to uphold. Some church leaders he condemned as heretics and others were driven into exile by kings who would do the pope's bidding. Pastors were imprisoned for things like speaking against worshiping "saints" and refusing to accept the teachings written by Romish leaders such as Jerome, Augustine and Gregory. If there was too much resistance to following the Roman Church's traditions Boniface would at times have to use force, but where the people stood up against Rome's bullying tactics and demanded justice, often their pastors were set free from prison. We would be wise to remember that there are still "Bonifaces" today who have taken similar vows. Satan is still working hard to hinder the spread of truth and he will use name-calling, intimidation, lies and force to silence the voices of God's people. Let us be like those who were willing to speak out against wrongs and stand firm for truth. Our courage will strengthen others and perhaps God will use our voice to bring about justice.

On Christmas Day in AD 800, the city of Rome witnessed a special ceremony. The pope placed an imperial crown on the head of Charlemagne and announced that he was the head of the whole Roman Empire. Up till this time there had been several rulers who were stuggling for power to rule. This coronation had deep importance since it began the union of church and state that was to last for more than a thousand years. It would now be through the army of Charlemagne that the papacy would gain control of all the churches throughout Europe.

The Dark Ages deepened from 800 AD to 1100 AD. We see ignorance and superstition taking away the light of the scriptures and other subjects of learning like science, music and languages. People lived in poverty and most could not even sign their name. The people lived in fear of making the priests angry. Even kings were afraid of opposing the Church because they were threatened with losing the right to rule their subjects.

During this time many that loved God's Word were chased off their lands, thrown in prison and killed. But they were faithful and the record of their steadfastness is an encouragement to each of us who want to be faithful until Jesus' Second Coming.

We are told that before Jesus comes again there will be another worldwide union of church and state. The churches will ask the government to make laws which will enforce religious laws. These laws will take away our freedom of religion and will cause God's faithful followers to be thrown in prison and persecuted for worshiping on the Sabbath - the seventh day of the week, Saturday. We have been counseled not to get involved with politics and try to get our favorite person elected to government. We are to speak against laws that limit our freedom of religion, but we are not to vote or to try to enforce laws through becoming politically active. We do not want to follow in the steps of the Roman Church. We do not want to be responsible for supporting laws that will harm God's faithful remnant.

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