Reformed Christian Studies

By Bruce Gore - Posted at YouTube: Direct Link:  5. The Fifth Century and St. Patrick - YouTube

ThinkGospel.com Posted at Think Gospel : Reading: “And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there.” Acts 20:22 Although Patrick is known across the world as the great missionary to Ireland he accomplished this work under a cloud of personal feelings of inadequacy. He felt deeply the fact that he was “countrified” (sec. 12) and that he “had not studied like others” ( Confession , sec. 9). He felt that he was “awkward,” “inarticulate,” and that he had a small vocabulary. He said, “I am unable to explain briefly what I mean” ( Confession , sec. 10). While his “mind and spirit long and the inclination of [his] heart” was to preach the gospel ( Confession , sec. 10), yet his flesh was unwilling and inadequate, lacking confidence. Despite—or perhaps because of—feeling the limitations of the flesh much as Moses, Jeremiah, and many others did, Patrick was called by God, not by the “clerical intellectuals” ( Confession, sec. 13

Slemish , County Antrim   By Aaron Dunlop - Posted at thinkGospel.com : In the early part of March considerable attention is given to the memory of St. Patrick in the run-up to the celebrations on the 17th March. St. Patrick’s Day celebrations are now a worldwide phenomenon and growing every year. Irish mythology is brought to life in the streets of many cities as green-coloured leprechauns parade under green bunting and drink green beer. City fountains bubble up with green water, major rivers run green, and multitudes sport shamrocks and green face paint. It is just another opportunity for a shindig, an Irish pastime! Most of what is commonly believed about Patrick is false. He never chased the snakes out of Ireland, never mentioned the Church in Rome in his writings, and was never officially canonized by the Roman Catholic Church. Roman Catholic historians have to admit that there is no satisfactory proof that he was ever sent from Rome. However, setting aside all the myth and