As he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind.”

  - Acts 26.24

When the holy man with his companions appeared before the king, the greatness of his learning caused him to stand high in the favour of the king and court.

  - Jonas, Life of St. Columban, Italian, 7th century[1]

Celtic missionaries were nothing if not learned.

Their primary course of study was in the Scriptures, but they also immersed themselves in the fathers of the Church, the great classics of Greece and Rome, the culture of their day, and the created world around them.

They were the most learned men of their day, so it’s perhaps not surprising that the Frankish king should have marveled at Columbanus and his companions.

But the same learning that can earn us an audience with kings can bring down the scorn of fools. Festus didn’t know what to make of Paul – articulate, learned, saavy, a Roman citizen hawking the religion of a crucified Jew. I rather suspect his interruption of the apostle’s speech was more an act of nervous self-defense than an integral part of his examination of Paul.

Learning makes folks nervous sometimes, it’s true; but in the service of the Gospel, sound learning can be a powerful instrument for conviction and edification. I can’t conceive how anyone could grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, as we are commanded (2 Pet. 3.18), without diligently pursuing a course of ongoing study and learning.

Since Jesus is the treasury of all wisdom and knowledge (Col. 2.2, 3), whatever we study or seek to learn can draw us closer to Jesus and help in the Spirit’s work of transforming us into His image (2 Cor. 3.12-18).

The only excuse I can think of for not actively seeking to learn all we can is that we’re just lazy and too distracted by other things we prefer more than increasing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord.

So let’s not despise wide reading and careful study, just because some folks today look askance at the acquisition of knowledge in pursuit of truth. Rather, like Columbanus and Paul, let us learn all we can and adorn the Gospel of the Kingdom with the beauty of truth from every realm of creation and every area of life.

Because all truth is God’s truth; the more we know of it, the better equipped we will be to serve the cause of the Gospel – whether our learning is considered a blessing or a bane by those who hear us.

Psalm 24.1, 2 (Foundation: “How Firm a Foundation”)
The earth is the Lord’s,. as is all it contains;
The world and its peoples He daily sustains.
He founded it fast on the seas long ago,
And bid gently rivers throughout it to flow

Lord, am I as good a student of Your truth as I ought to be? Where should I begin to improve my understanding of Your truth, and of my Lord Jesus?

This Week at The Fellowship of Ailbe
Check out the offerings at the website this week - many good insights to guide you in living the Christian worldview. And if you're looking for books for friends for the holidays, why not peruse our bookstore (two new offerings will be posted later this week!). And thanks to those of you who have entered into this work with us by your prayers and gifts. If you would like to contribute to the ministry of The Fellowship of Ailbe, you can use the donate button here or at the website, or send your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Dr., Essex Junction, VT 05452. Have a blessed Thanksgiving!

T. M. Moore, Principal