Colonies of Heaven: Celtic Models for Today's Church

by Ian Bradley

Explores how distinctive themes in the early Christianity of the British Isles might be applied in practical terms to Christian life today.

Genres: Christian, Church

Paperback

First published September 1, 2000

About the author

Ian Bradley is a Church of Scotland minister, academic, broadcaster, journalist and lecturer. He has written over 40 books. He is currently Principal of St Mary's College and Reader in Church History and Practical Theology at the University of St. Andrews.

Reviews

[Mark Durrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Good introduction to Celtic spirituality.

[Andy Gore · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really extraordinary and thought provoking book about the nature of church and especially church in the midst of this ongoing need to readjust to live in the midst of COVID-19 that we may continue to be good news to our community.

[Justin Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this one up secondhand and decided to get it for two reasons: the chapter headings (monasticism, blessing and cursing, penance and pastoral care, worship, the communion of saints, and pilgrimage) as well as the author's skepticism of "Celtic Christianity" as a sort of spiritual pop fad that can be easily recreated and appropriated into one's life fairly painlessly.
Instead, Bradley insists that a historic Celtic Christianity can only be glimpsed in bits and pieces and that it has some very hard, very harsh elements to it. Despite that disclaimer, he obviously has a deep passion for the subject (having written 3 other books on the topic) and feels that the romanticization of the Celtic way is a good signpost that something of value must be near.

The book is very practical and pragmatic and at the same time I was surprised at how contemporary his suggestions were. (It was published 13 years ago.) He breaks the book into 6 major thematic (and historically verifiable) practices of the Celtic Christians and uses each chapter to muse on how that particular practice can be incorporated into the life of contemporary Christian community today. I personally would wish that every priest or minister interested in creating authentic forms of Christian community would read this.
Besides that endorsement I would warn the potential reader that it is not a self help book or a guide to individual spiritual growth (although I'm sure it can be supplemental to that,) but it is a guide primarily for "we" not "me." I was continually struck by the author's emphasis on spiritual growth AS community rather than as an isolated individual. I have a feeling I will be returning to highly readable, informative and challenging book often.

[David Campton · Rating 3 out of 5]

A less romanticised view of Celtic Christianity than some other books (including some of his own earlier ones) but better for it, with something significant to say to the church today.

[Kate Davis · Rating 2 out of 5]

read for Cashman's class: Celtic Spirituality