There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High.

   - Psalm 46.4

So still, my brethren, give ear to our words, in the belief that you will hear something needful, and refresh the thirst of your mind from the streams of the divine fountain of which we now wish to speak...

   - Columbanus, Sermon XIII, Irish, 7th century

I’m frequently asked what it is about the Celtic period that I find so interesting and instructive.

Many things, among them the spiritual strength and courage of the leaders, their devotion to the Word of God and sound learning, their commitment to a Biblically-informed culture, their love for creation and the arts, and their zeal for missions.

The period of Celtic Christianity (ca. 430-900 AD) is terra incognita for most Christians, and part of my burden is to spark interest in this ancient stream of the faith. We hope that these daily glimpses into the mind and heart of Celtic Christians bring you something needful to refresh the thirst of your mind. Let us know if they do.

The river of God’s grace that flows through the corridors of history is comprised of many streams, all tributaries to the grand tradition of Christian orthodoxy. It was the genius of the Protestant reformers of the 16^th century to insist that all doctrinal claims be proven by the writings of the Church Fathers or rejected as unreliable innovations. The reformers were completely unaware of the Celtic Christian movement. I can’t think of a single reference in their works, before Eriugena (9th century), to any of the Celtic saints, or any awareness on the part of the early reformers of their contribution to the progress of the Kingdom.

But I’m certain that, had Luther, Calvin, Bucer, and the rest had access to the writings that have come to light in the past 200 years or so, they would have drunk deeply from this ancient stream and found it more compatible with their views than not.

The ancient streams of the faith hold much to nourish our faith today.

We hope you will benefit from being immersed in this one.

Psalm 1.1-3 (St. Thomas: “I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord”)
How blessed are they that shun sin’s vain and wicked ways.
For them has Christ salvation won; He loves them all their days.

God’s Word is their delight; they prosper in its truth.
In it they dwell both day and night to flourish and bear fruit.

Firm planted on the banks of God’s great stream of grace,
They raise unending praise and thanks to His great glorious face.

Help me, Lord, to appreciate the struggles, sacrifices, and achievements of those who have gone before and made it possible for me to know the Lord Jesus today.