Celtic Christianity: Making Myths and Chasing Dreams - Hardcover

Bradley, Ian

3.65

17 ratings by Goodreads

9780748610488: Celtic Christianity: Making Myths and Chasing Dreams

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0748610480 ISBN 13: 9780748610488

Publisher: Edinburgh University Press, 1999

View all copies of this ISBN edition:

The current fascination with Celtic Christianity is the latest manifestation of a lingering love affair stretching back over the last 1300 years. This book explores how the native Christian communities of the British Isles from the fifth to the tenth centuries have been idealised and appropriated by succeeding generations who have projected their own preconceptions and prejudices on to a perceived 'golden age' of Celtic Christianity. It provides a fascinating study of the making of myths and the chasing of dreams. Key Features * First ever comprehensive and chronological survey of the development of the concept of 'Celtic Christianity' * Important new insights into the religious, cultural and intellectual history of Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England * Rich collection of sources with illustrations throughout the text

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

About the Author:

Ian Bradley is Senior Lecturer in Practical Theology in the School of Divinity, University of St. Andrews.

From Publishers Weekly:

In the late 20th century there has been a renewal of interest in Celtic Christianity. Yet, as Bradley (The Celtic Way) points out, much of this revival is based on a grand and glorious portrait of a Celtic Christianity that likely never existed. In this book, Bradley traces the many myths and legends of Celtic Christianity created by writers who idealized certain figures and ideas from earlier times. Bradley contends that much of the earliest attention to the Christianity of the British Isles, most notably Ireland and Scotland, began in the early medieval period (664-800), during which writers depicted a handful of religious leaders--Patrick, Columba--as saints. Bradley argues that despite these writers making such men out to be saintly superstars, there are no contemporary writings about their life or work. Such an idealized representation of Celtic Christianity and its leading figures, however, carried through many later periods of history, even up until the present Celtic revival. Each chapter traces one of these historical periods; Bradley demonstrates each period's penchant for making myths about a supposed golden age of the Christian Church. In the end, the author concludes that we know very little about the earliest years of Celtic Christianity or about the many missionaries, monks and other religious figures who established the Church in the British Isles. Bradley's book is a fascinating study, combining Church history, theology and the psychology of human nature. (June)

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.