No ax to grind, just trying to get a handle on something.
We have a fair number of self described post modern Christians in our town doing various elements of Celtic influenced Christianity.
Those of you better educated than I on this matter: can you explain anything about this?
I don't know if I'm any better educated than you are on this... especially since the "this" is pretty broad.
What do you want to know?
What do you mean by "Celtic influenced Christianity"?
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My first thought was Celtic Christian Mysticism. If that's what it is, I don't have much of a problem with it. One of the most frequently cited things is the discovery of "thin" places (places in the world where you feel/sense a greater closeness to God). I know this has gotten a lot of play on some anti-Postmodern/Emergent websites, but I think we all have places we go where we feel closer to God... just as a for instance.Originally Posted by Todd Erickson
I'd say "Celtic-influenced Christianity" is probably no better or worse than American-influenced Christianity, or Roman-influenced Christianity, or any other form of Christianity that has been influenced by a given culture.
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Thanks! I've been talking and researching.
They don't seem to fit the picture I get googling "celtic christianity" real closely. No mysticism, no tonsuring, no liturgy, no thin places.
But when I look at the "7 principles" some of those sites mention, they do seem to sort of follow that.
But being in highly baptist country, I think what they are calling "celtic christianity" is more influenced by the "free kirk" scots than anything else.
Very into the "four freedoms", which googling tells me are pre fundamentalist baptist principles.
World sure is getting diverse!
What are the four freedoms?
Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:18
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. 1 John 4:18a
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1. Bible freedom--each person responsible under God to study and understand the Bible for his or her own self.
2. Soul freedom--the right and responsibility of each person to deal directly with God, without imposition of creed, interference of clergy, or intervention of civil govt.
3. Church freedom--each local church free to order its own theology, governance, worship and teaching as it understands the will of God in conformity to the Scripture.
4. Religious freedom--the church and civil governments need to be totally separate.
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Did some googling myself - seem to be some connections with the Iona Community in Scotland. Didn't delve too deeply, but was impressed with much of what I saw.
Liked the four freedoms cited in one of the posts - kindof described where I am or seek to be.
One could do worse - many have.
Last edited by John Kennedy; February 13th, 2012 at 01:23 PM.
Don't know of any form of Christianity (or any other religion, for that matter) that hasn't been influenced by the culture in which it took root.
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Those four points sound an awful lot like the Baptist definition.
Yes--as I said, from googling and checking amazon reviews those four freedoms seem to come from pre fundamentalist baptists.
Some of these folks are neighbors and I would say their music, very good music in my opinion, is a bit more celtic than bluegrass has become, but very much appalachian mountain music.
The way they practice their faith is very simple, down to earth, homespun, and loving.
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