The Real Saint Patrick (4): Patrick’s Message (Part 2)

We saw last time (Standard Bearer, May 1, 2003) that Patrick believed and preached the grace of the triune God in Christ. Patrick's understanding of grace is demonstrated yet further in that he repeatedly refers to his call to preach the gospel in Ireland as a "gift" of God to him (e.g., Conf 16, 33, 62). God, not Patrick himself, called him to his mission (Conf 56), for he received his office from God's hand (Letter 1). Patrick humbly confesses that he was not worthy of the high calling of the...