Many people are interested in the Celtic world especially its religious traditions whether pagan or Christian. People hope to discover in that world a simplicity and attitude to life that is elusive in our modern, technological age. People try to locate in the Celtic tradition something that will fulfill their longings and desires for personal fulfilment. The result at a popular level has been that the historical reality of Celtic Christianity is increasingly elusive as claims made about it become exaggerated. The purpose of this course is to situate the Celtic Christian experience of the spiritual in the context of its development in Ireland between the 5th and the 12th centuries.
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Many people are interested in the Celtic world especially its religious traditions whether pagan or Christian. People hope to discover in that world a simplicity and attitude to life that is elusive in our modern, technological age. People try to locate in the Celtic tradition something that will fulfill their longings and desires for personal fulfilment. The result at a popular level has been that the historical reality of Celtic Christianity is increasingly elusive as claims made about it become exaggerated. The purpose of this course is to situate the Celtic Christian experience of the spiritual in the context of its development in Ireland between the 5th and the 12th centuries.
Many people are interested in the Celtic world especially its religious traditions whether pagan or Christian. People hope to discover in that world a simplicity and attitude to life that is elusive in our modern, technological age. People try to locate in the Celtic tradition something that will fulfill their longings and desires for personal fulfilment. The result at a popular level has been that the historical reality of Celtic Christianity is increasingly elusive as claims made about it become exaggerated. The purpose of this course is to situate the Celtic Christian experience of the spiritual in the context of its development in Ireland between the 5th and the 12th centuries.
Because the current revival of interest is not unique. It is just the most recent manifestation of an interest in Celtic matters that goes back centuries. So at the outset we will examine the different movements of revival over the centuries and what they had in common. Against this we will then place the historical reality of the Celts as a distinct group in Europe, their social structure and institutions, and most importantly identifying elements in the pagan Celtic world that lent themselves to adaptation to Christianity when it arrived.
Attention is given to saints' lives as a literary genre, their various elements and purposes, and what they tell us about different aspects of Celtic spiritual practice. Monasticism in Ireland was not unlike its Eastern models, the main difference was the influence of pre-Christian beliefs in forming its particular character.
The place of Scripture in the Celtic Christian tradition, the different versions used, interpretation, and a case study of the Psalms, are highlighted. We will explore how Celtic Ireland developed its own form of pilgrimage, related to the monastic life: journeying as an ascetic practice, and the extent to which it predisposed the Celts to be evangelists. Finally, we will consider the relationship between Celtic spirituality and the post-modern spiritual quest.
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Learning objectives
- Identify the unique features of celtic christianity in the context of western christianity from c.400 ce to the 12th century.
- Compare and contrast contemporary perceptions of celtic christianity with its historic reality
- Identify the different revivals of interest in the celtic past over the centuries, their causes and effects.
- Distinguish the different forms of celtic artistic expression and how these bore witness to a particular form of devotional life.
- Identify and give examples of celtic forms of evangelism, their origins and consequences for western christianity
- Summarize and explain continuities between the pagan celtic world and christianity.
- Identify the unique features of celtic christianity in the context of western christianity from c.400 ce to the 12th century.
- Compare and contrast contemporary perceptions of celtic christianity with its historic reality
- Identify the different revivals of interest in the celtic past over the centuries, their causes and effects.
- Distinguish the different forms of celtic artistic expression and how these bore witness to a particular form of devotional life.
- Identify and give examples of celtic forms of evangelism, their origins and consequences for western christianity
- Summarize and explain continuities between the pagan celtic world and christianity.
Syllabus
The modern revival of interest in Celtic Christianity is only the most recent manifestation of a phenomenon that goes back centuries. You will discover what groups embraced it for their own purposes.
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Syllabus
Introduces the different ways Celtic Christianity has been regarded by different groups over the centuries.
Examines three movements of revival of interest in Celtic Christianity in the medieval and reformation periods.
Details how denominational rivalries, rising national consciousness, an emerging scholarly interest in the past, and the rise of the Romantic Movement in the 18th and 19th centuries, combined to keep alive an interest in the Celtic past.
Identifies the common themes that characterized the different Celtic revivals over the centuries.
Traces the origins and development of the Celts as one of the foundation peoples of Europe.
Identifies the key pre-conditions present in Celtic society and culture that allowed for an easy transition from paganism to Christianity.
Continues the examination of those factors that allowed for an easy transition from paganism to Christianity in Ireland, and also identifies some difficulties in that transition.
Become familiar with saints' lives and what they tell us about the purpose of those who compiled them.
Examines one Latin and three vernacular saints' lives of Brigit, Patrick, and Colmcille (Columba).
Lives of the Celtic saints (e.g. Patrick's Confession) written with a spiritual purpose were intended to build up an audience spiritually.
Examines the transformation of Patrick by 7th century authors in the lives they wrote of him.
Details the Interest in Celtic monasticism by three groups who envisioned a monastic past that served their own religious and political agenda.
Outlines the origins of monasticism among the Eastern mystics and hermits of the deserts of Egypt, Syria, and Mesopotamia and its transference to Ireland.
Identifies the importance of the location of monasteries, the composition of the monastic household, and the monastic economy.
Profiles how monasteries filled a wider need in society than the merely religious because, as they were founded by families, monasteries integrated naturally into society providing a range of spiritual and other services.
Identifies the ascetic character of Celtic Christianity, its varying sources, and its manifestations in rules and practices.
Details how prayer was at the heart of Celtic asceticism and how it made its practitioners effective witnesses to God.
Shows how the diversity of practice in and composition of, Irish monastic households and the rules followed therein, is evident also in the practice of soul-friendship and its concomitant, the penitential system.
Examines how Celtic Christians had a humble love of the Bible, and how they placed Scripture above reason and tradition.
Details how the two main schools of biblical exegesis and interpretation (Alexandrian, Antiochene) were adopted, and provides a case study of the Psalms in Celtic Christianity.
Details the Eucharistic and Christological imagery in Celtic art, specifically in the Book of Kells.
Outlines the liturgical development in Celtic Christianity including chant, hymnody, and psalmody.
Examines journeying as an ascetic practice that in part had a cultural mandate and explores the extent to which this practice predisposed Celtic Christians to be evangelists.
Identifies the Celtic approach to evangelism and how it was often an unplanned by-product of godly personal devotion.
Demonstrates how scripture and asceticism made the Celtic Christian church monastic and missionary in focus. Shows how Celtic monks had a major impact on the evangelization of the British Isles, western and northern Europe in the period from the 5th to the 10th centuries through their missionary endeavours.
Examines the general attributes of Pelagianism and the Augustinian responses to them.
Details how most of the Irish use of Pelagius was selective and for the explication of certain passages, and demonstrates that nowhere was Pelagius used to the exclusion of the orthodox church Fathers.
Examines the main dimensions to the view of Christ in Celtic Christianity.
Outlines controversy around the dating of Easter which was to be the single most important schismatic issue from the late 6th century to the late 8th century.
Identifies three questions to pose relating to interest in matters Celtic in our postmodern world and why for some it has a spiritual dimension
Details how the revival of interest at an academic and popular level in Celtic Spirituality has occurred within the larger context of postmodern culture.
Details how Celtic Christianity can act as a resource between postmodern culture and Christianity.
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Activities
Create a Course Resource Binder
Show steps
Organize and consolidate course materials, such as notes, handouts, quizzes, and presentations, into a comprehensive binder for easy reference and review.
Show steps
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Gather all relevant course materials.
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Create a system for organizing the materials, such as by topic or date.
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Review and update the materials regularly.
Read 'Celtic Christianity: A History' by Thomas O'Loughlin
Show steps
Gain a comprehensive understanding of the history and development of Celtic Christianity through a detailed examination of this authoritative book.
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Read the book thoroughly and take notes on key concepts.
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Identify the main arguments and perspectives presented by the author.
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Summarize the key historical events and figures discussed in the book.
Participate in a Celtic Cultural Event
Show steps
Immerse yourself in Celtic culture by attending a Celtic festival, concert, or workshop to experience its traditions, music, and spirituality firsthand.
Show steps
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Research upcoming Celtic cultural events in your area.
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Attend an event and actively engage with the activities and performances.
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Reflect on your experience and connect it to the themes explored in the course.
Show all three activities
Create a Course Resource Binder
Show steps
Organize and consolidate course materials, such as notes, handouts, quizzes, and presentations, into a comprehensive binder for easy reference and review.
Show steps
- Gather all relevant course materials.
- Create a system for organizing the materials, such as by topic or date.
- Review and update the materials regularly.
Read 'Celtic Christianity: A History' by Thomas O'Loughlin
Show steps
Gain a comprehensive understanding of the history and development of Celtic Christianity through a detailed examination of this authoritative book.
Show steps
- Read the book thoroughly and take notes on key concepts.
- Identify the main arguments and perspectives presented by the author.
- Summarize the key historical events and figures discussed in the book.
Participate in a Celtic Cultural Event
Show steps
Immerse yourself in Celtic culture by attending a Celtic festival, concert, or workshop to experience its traditions, music, and spirituality firsthand.
Show steps
- Research upcoming Celtic cultural events in your area.
- Attend an event and actively engage with the activities and performances.
- Reflect on your experience and connect it to the themes explored in the course.
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