Church History - Priscillian

Priscillian was one of the early, great Christian men that emerged out of the paganization of Christianity by Constantine and his band of power-hungry men.
 
As typical of the lies that are always spoken of by those who have hungered for control over those who are Christs' throughout the ages, they leveled the ubiquitous lie toward Priscillian that he was guilty of Manichaeism.  

This instance was one of the first creative applications of ‘heresy’ by pagan Christians. What was their interpretation of heresy? It was those who didn’t agree with absolute power and with men having absolute knowledge of God.

In other words, it is expected that one must do exactly what is told them, without challenging what is being said. Of course this is the result of taking on the characteristics of Constantine, who was one of history’s great megalomaniacs.  What is really amazing about all of this is how quickly this adaptation of worldly power was infiltrated into the church.  

So in the midst of this marriage of paganism and Christianity, Priscillian was born.  

What were some of the ‘errors’ of Priscillian? He called Christians to be holy which could only come about through a deep communion with Jesus Christ. This could only come to pass through an experiential faith that was alive unto God.  Another one of the things they hated him for was that he didn’t believe that there was any distinction between a regular believer and the ‘clergy.’  He saw the truth that Christ lived in all believers and that they had no need of a special class of people to stand as mediators between God and man. As we all know there is only one mediator between God and man and it is Christ Jesus.  

He knew that there had never existed such a thing as a special brand of believer in this type of authoritarian role. This concept of ‘clergy’ came straight out of paganism.  Of course the real underlying threat to the religious authorities was that it undermined their foundation of power. They had to stop him.  

So along with the charge of Manichaeism, they also accused him of sorcery and witchcraft.  

He was condemned by the religious authorities and turned over to the state for execution.  

He, along with several others, was among the first Christians murdered by the new pagan, ‘Christian’ religion.  

Now was the beginning of those who would kill others in the name of Christ so that they could exercise unlimited power. Priscillian’s battle against this cost him his life, yet he still speaks to us today in our battle against those who want to put themselves in the place of Christ in the life of the church.  We could do worse than take heart and follow his example.