Celtic Christian Spirituality: Essential Writings Annotated & Explained

by John Philip Newell (Foreword), Mary C. Earle (Commentary)

The forgotten truths of Celtic Christianity provide a portal into a spiritual way of experiencing the world.

The Celtic Christians beheld the world around them and perceived the divine life of God as upholding every aspect of the material universe. Their prayers and poems, their liturgies and theological interpretations give Christians a sense of faith that is confident in a merciful and infinitely creative, healing God.

In this introduction to Celtic Christian spirituality, Mary Earle presents primary texts from the Celtic Christian tradition--selections from the works of Pelagius, Eriugena and St. Patrick, as well as prayers and poems from Wales, the Outer Hebrides and Ireland. These essential writings direct humanity to read the "book of creation" as well as the Bible, and call us to remember that "matter matters." Earle's engaging facing-page commentary explores how faithful Christians and spiritual seekers can take inspiration from this lively tradition's ways of embodying and living the gospel. Topics include:


Creation
Daily life and work
Incarnation
Pilgrimage
Blessing
Social justice
Prayer

Genres: Theology, Spirituality

176 pages, Hardcover

First published June 6, 2011

About the author

JOHN PHILIP NEWELL is an internationally acclaimed spiritual teacher and popular speaker and the widely read author of several books, including Listening for the Heartbeat of God and A New Harmony. The former Warden of Iona Abbey in the Western Isles of Scotland, he is the founder of The School of Earth and Soul (A Celtic Initiative of Study, Spiritual Practice and Compassionate Action) and teaches regularly in California, New England, Virginia, Colorado, New Mexico, and Canada as well as leading international pilgrimages to Iona.

Reviews

[Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

It might take you a few pages to adjust to the rather strange format of this book where the left hand page operate as footnotes to what's one the right hand page, but once you get your head round that, this is rather a nice introduction to Celtic Spirituality and writings associated with it.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, though, it is very simple and has very little historical value. This is a collection of old Celtic prayers. The editor (Mary C. Earle) is a seminary graduate (Episcopal, I think) and these selections are from Scotland, Ireland and Wales. Many of them are from the Carmina Gadelica - in the 300s - 500s AD. These include prayers for daily life, journeys, etc. In one of Diana Gabaldon's fantastic fiction series, Outlander, she uses/modifies one of the encircling prayers. I highly recommend it.

[Grant Sowter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful and gracious

The insights are gold, the prayers..well they are just beautiful. Well worth taking the time to read. Thoroughly recommend this book

[Hank · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, this is a good little book. It is short, but packed with great excerpts from writers of the Celtic Christian tradition. Occasionally the annotations seem a bit forced, and the layout, with the excerpts on the right page and the notes and explanations on the left page make for awkward reading and following. Still, the value is in the excerpts themselves.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the poems and hymns included in this book, and the commentary on them was easy to use and understand. This is a great place to start to learn about the Celtic path in Christianity. I felt quite at home spiritually here.

[Danielle Shroyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was really just a collection of snippets and prayers. A decent introduction if you’re truly brand new to Celtic spirituality but there are many other books I’d recommend.

[Jeremy England · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great collection of prayers

This is a wonderful overview of Celtic Christianity and has an amazing collection of prayers to draw from for daily use.

[Jack · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really great over-view of Celtic Christian path.