![]() ![]() Martin’s cross, a large eighth-century stonework that stands to this day at Iona, contains a number of Bible stories. Later, other crosses communicated a more detailed biblical narrative. Indeed, Pictish stone crosses communicated the essence of the gospel-the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. While the Picts allowed their arts forms to be transformed for Christian purposes, Columba and his monks seemed deliberate about adopting them to clarify the gospel. Martin’s Cross at Iona (Photo: Edward Smither) Gospel-Clarifying Art Columba turned them to the faith of Christ by his words and example and so received the island of Iona from them in order to establish a monastery there (Bede, Ecclesiastical History 3.4, trans. a most powerful king, had been ruling over them for over eight years. , there came from Ireland to Britain a priest and abbot named Columba, a true monk in life no less than habit he came to Britain to preach the word of God to the kingdoms of the northern Picts. ![]() Summarizing his life and work, the English historian Venerable Bede (672–735) wrote, Remembered as the apostle of Scotland, Columba (AD 521–597) was the most famous Celtic missionary monk. This was especially true in their work among the Pictish people of Scotland beginning in the late sixth century. In my study of the Celts-particularly the missionary monks who left Ireland to evangelize the rest of Europe-I’m struck by their ability to connect with local cultures, communicate the gospel, and disciple new believers using visual strategies. When we speak of Celtic Christianity, often large oversized crosses, mystic spirituality, and colorful characters like St. ![]()
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