State of the Church: The Celtic Revival (3)
What do you expect then, unhappy people, from such beasts of the belly (as the apostle said)? Will you find correction at the hands of men who not only do not turn to good deeds but even (in the words of a reproachful prophet) labour to do ill? Will you find light from such eyes, which look with greed only on things that lead steeply down to vice—that is, to the doors of hell?
– Gildas, The Ruin of Britain
Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.
– Acts 4.32-35
Reading between the lines
Gildas was well aware that not all the shepherds of Britain “are bad”, as he says a bit further on. They were not all “stained with the disgrace of schism and uncleanness.” But those who remained faithful were in short supply and scattered about the land, so that their efforts could stem the tide of wickedness that had washed over Gildas’ country. And none of them rose to the level of commitment and sacrifice that characterized saints and prophets of old.
It can be a bit difficult to discern from Gildas the state of the Church in Britain in the early years of the 6th century. His focus was mainly on the pastors. But reading between the lines we see a portrait of the Church begin to rise.
For example, Gildas noted that churches were wracked with schism, that is, with a divisive spirit—that which Paul condemned among the churches in Corinth (cf. 1 Cor. 1.10-17). Jesus intended His churches to be of one mind, one purpose, and one holy life together, as we see so often in the book of Acts. But the pastors of Britain had allowed their own interests and their covetous spirit to infect the people they served. Division and jealousy, not unity and love, marked the congregations of British Christians in Gildas’ day.
The Christian flocks in Britain were unhappy, untaught, uncorrected, and led not unto righteousness but into selfishness, vice, and hell. They were like the parable of the blind leading the blind, wrote Gildas; and he warned that, unless this was checked and reformed, “you will fall together into the pit of hell.”
Further, the people had no sense of the larger vision of unseen things which labor on behalf of all who believe. The lives of Christians in Britain in Gildas’ day lacked joy, hope, piety, good works, community, and discipline. They had no vision of unseen glories and no true and vibrant experience of the living Christ.
A Church in ruins?
As Gildas looked upon the churches of Britain, he saw that they were being led mostly by “rapacious wolves” whose primary motive in ministry was their own gain—prestige, power, sensual indulgence, intellectual pride and posturing, seeking the obedience, if the not the admiration, of their flocks. As for the people served by these pastors, a “black, shadowy fog of the faintness of [their] hearts” had settled among them, so that they groped in darkness for some true experience of faith.
This is not what we want for our churches. Or for our own church. But unless we examine ourselves and all facets of our life and ministry (2 Cor. 13.5), we won’t be able to know whether we are following in the footsteps of the apostles of the early Church or the doleful winds of confusion, convenience, and complacency so prevalent in our day.
Many today are decrying the sad state of the Church in our own country. Superficial, self-centered, shallow, sordid, shrinking—these and many other such terms frequently appear in books, articles, and reports concerning the state of our churches. But we must not look to our shepherds, pointing the finger of blame. It falls to each of us daily to examine ourselves, seek the filling of God’s Spirit, immerse ourselves more completely in His Word, and walk in humble, daily obedience the path of God’s Law, just as Jesus did (1 Jn. 2.1-6).
Our true and good Shepherd looks to our care and feeding. We must look to Him only to guide us into green pastures and beside still waters, and to protect us from ravenous wolves and feed us with God’s holy manna. Look to Jesus. Flee daily to Him. And if you see decay or ruin anywhere in your life—or in your church—call on Him to excise it and to strengthen you anew.
For Reflection
1. Can you identify five words that describe the state of your Christian life?
2. Can you do the same for your church?
Psalm 23.1-4
(The Gift of Love: Though I May Speak with Bravest Fire)
Because the LORD my Shepherd is I shall not want, for I am His!
He makes me lie in pastures green, He leads by waters cool, serene.
My soul He quickens and will bless; He leads in paths of righteousness.
Though I may walk in death’s dark vale, I shall not fear—He will not fail!
T. M. Moore
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment to give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
Other columns of interest: This week: In our ReVision series on “The Church” we consider what the Church is and why we need it. Our Read Moore podcast continues through our book, If Men Will Pray. The focus of our Scriptorium daily study is on “Matthew: The Coming of the Kingdom.” Click here to see all the other columns and writers available to you.
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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter.
