Thin Places: An Evangelical Journey into Celtic Christianity

by Tracy Balzer, Tracy Balzer

There has been a revival of all things Celtic in recent decades, producing everything from Irish folk music to a rise in pagan mysticism. By contrast, Tracy Balzer's book, Thin An Evangelical Journey into Celtic Christianity is written to introduce contemporary Christians to the great spiritual legacy of the early Celts, a legacy that has remained undiscovered or inaccessible for many in the evangelical tradition. Thin Places not only reveals the deeply scriptural, sacramental faith of the Celts, but also provides ways for us to learn from this ancient faith expression, applying fresh and lively spiritual disciplines to our lives today.

Genres: Religion, Spirituality, Faith, Theology, Nonfiction

163 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2007

About the author

Tracy Balzer writes and speaks with the hope of nudging others closer to intimacy with God. She is contemplative by nature, eager to listen to God and listen to others. Her discovery of the rich tradition of the early Celtic Christians feeds that enthusiasm for stillness and the appreciation of the beauty of creation, and she is nearly always in the middle of plans to lead a group of pilgrims to the British Isles. When she’s not writing or traveling, she serves as a campus minister.

Reviews

[Alison Stegert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Now that I have finished the book, I can say that it is a worthwhile read. The author is the Director of Spiritual Formation at a university in the Pacific Northwest. I enjoyed the format of diary entries, history, Celtic prayers, application, and study questions. I've read another book on spiritual disciplines, called Sacred Rhythms. It was probably more instructional, but Thin Places had that wonderful Irish focus.

A colleague and I had a discussion about Thin Places that was so intruiging, I blogged it (www.stegosauruspress.wordpress.com/th... ). The Celtic theological idea of thin places resonates with me, so I asked if I could borrow this book, which explains the history of Celtic theology and describes the beautiful, rugged island of Iona. I am only three chapters in, and I am longing to go there one day for a pilgrimage. The second chapter deals with the Celtic role of Anamchara, a soul friend or spiritual mentor, which is yet another idea that resonates strongly with me. As an added bonus, my confusion about the usage of the words Celtic and Gaelic has been eliminated. No doubt there will be much to blog as I continue with this lovely book!

[Neil R. Coulter · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I expected something a little more or different from this book, but it’s still pretty good. It is most definitely not a history of Celtic Christianity, nor is the entire focus of the book on the “thin places” concept in the title (that’s the subject just of the first chapter). It’s more of a memoir of Tracy Balzer’s experiences with Celtic pilgrimages (including leading groups of university students from the US to places such as Iona), and encouragement to take up some classic contemplative practices, guided by examples from the Irish saints and early Celtic Christian writings. In addition to that source material, Balzer also references Dallas Willard, Richard Foster, C. S. Lewis, Esther de Waal’s The Celtic Way of Prayer, and others. Those names will probably indicate both whether this book will be of interest to you and whether there will be much new content for you.

Each chapter includes a section of the author’s journal during a visit to Iona; an explanation of a particular spiritual discipline; a Celtic blessing; a selection of Scripture for meditation; and a few questions for discussion or journaling. The spiritual disciplines covered include

--Thin places (places where we find special closeness to God)
--Anamchara (spiritual guidance and mentorship)
--Prayer
--Pilgrimage (especially in contrast to tourism)
--Silence and solitude
--Saints and symbols
--Learning

It’s all written in an informal, friendly tone, and it’s all good, but a little quicker and lighter than I was expecting. I think it would be best if used within a group, or with the guidance of an anamchara-like person in your life; on its own, it might not be quite sufficient as an introduction to either the spiritual disciplines or Celtic Christianity. I definitely want to visit Iona and other pilgrimage sites; but I've wanted to do that for a long time.

[Bethany Wade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, love, love this book!!! It was definitely a God-send in this particular season of my life. Thin Places encourages us all to remove the boundaries we set up between sacred and secular and search for the fingerprints of God in EVERY single aspect of our lives! God lives within us...therefore, everything we do and every relationship we have can be worshipful and sacred!

I believe the ending spoke to me the most though. Balzer writes, "The journey of faith...is the greatest adventure known to humanity. But it can likewise be AWKWARD (emphasis added! ;) ), unwieldy, and exhausting at times. We might find ourselves in a spiritually foreign land, hardly recognizing the landscape, frustrated because the voices all around us speak in an unfamiliar dialect...Our Celtic ancestors invite us to "step out of the wind" as C.S. Lewis says. Slow down. Listen. Drink in the beauty and creativity of God. Watch for God in every place and every face. Find a soul friend who can help. Relax: God is here."

[Antho2 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I loved this book!

Here are some of the notes I took.

Thin places: places where the veil between heaven and earth is quite thin.

We can create our own environments of thinness. Set aside places in your home.

We live in a thick world; there’s too much of everything. It’s hard to remember God is here.

Our western wold has filled up with activities to a point it becomes absurd. (Henri Nouwen)

“[God] patiently waits until we make an intentional choice to do some housecleaning and make space for Him; both in the literal sense of adjusting our physical environment, and in the literal soul-sense of bringing all our faculties to His attention.”

Even good things can keep me from the place of deepest connection with God.

The first and best thin place must be our own soul.

“Though you may think you are very solid, it is not good to be your own guide.” St Comgall of Bankor

Anamesis: the conscious, prayerful remembrance of God.


“Their purpose in traveling was fairly different from that of most modern travelers, for they did not leave their homes for pleasure or business or to satisfy curiosity. For the early Christian Celt, journeying was an exercise taken for the love of God.”

“Abraham embodied the very character of peregrinatio, as he left for a Foreign land. He did not go out of curiosity or wanderlust, but in obedience to the call of God, asking him to sacrifice what is familiar.”

“The love of what is dear and familiar to us can be a great obstacle in our relationship with a God who asks for all and nothing less.”

Place as text - a way of saying that the places we visit serve as textbooks to us if we will be it “read” then. (They impart knowledge.)

There’s a difference between being a tourist and a pilgrim. How am I approaching my time here on earth?

Tourists bring back gifts. Pilgrims bring back intangible blessings.

“Solitude is the creation of an open, empty space in our lives by purposefully abstaining from interaction with other human beings, so that, freed from competing loyalties, we can be found by God.”

Lectio Divinia:

Lectio: to read (ingest)

Meditatio: to meditate (digest)

Oratio: to speak (request)

Comtemplatio: to contemplate (rest)

Their time spent in solitude with God resulted in greater capacity for physical hospitality and spiritual friendship.

“Solitude is the furnace of transformation.”

Celtic crosses were used as teaching tools for illiterate or those without biblical access: much like stained glass windows.

“The life of heaven is unseperably woven into the life of earth.” J Philip Newell

[Jim Collett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I began this book because I was going on a trip that would include a visit to Iona. I continued reading after my trip, which made the images in my mind real and vivid because I had been there. But the book is not really primarily about Iona. It is about becoming a pilgrim in the best sense of the word. There is a nice mixture of lesson, prayers, questions, and frequent opportunities for pondering and meditation. I found so many meaningful comments to mark so I could return to them again.

[Katie Winkler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Took a while to finish this book as I used it as a meditation. It is set up that way with scripture and questions as well as a space to write after each chapter. My favorite chapter was Chapter Five: Silence and Solitude. It reminded me of the importance of getting alone in God's creation to re-connect with what is truly important, foremost, my relationship with God.

[Dan Sheaffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two years ago I took a trip with my masters program to Belfast and Dublin for our Christian Foundations class. I really enjoyed reading this book as it brought memories of the trip rushing back! Many of the sites that Tracy mentions were places I also visited. I love how she used the early Celtic tradition to challenge our current practice of faith.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It wasn't quite what I expected, but I enjoyed it. Rather than try to understand the parts of Celtic spirituality she doesn't agree with, she basically just dismissed them. I thought it would be more about the thin places, but it is more about following Celtic tradition in spiritual formation.

[James Nasipak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding book and study devotional. I have studied Celtic Christianity over the last 20 years, and find this a great refresher to go back to for personal reflection and reconnection. I would highly recommend this as a study for a small group, a class or personal reflection.

[Andy Mac · Rating 4 out of 5]

This small book is a journey as the title indicates. It peers into the piety of what went before us in the faith of Celtic Ireland and attempts to bridge the gap between orthodox faith and experiential faith without sacrificing either. Very easy to read.

[Katelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Accessible introduction to the history and legacy of the evangelical Celtic tradition in Ireland and Britain. The scripture passages at the end of each chapter and reflection questions were also helpful.

[Joey Peacher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Historical and inspiring. Now I want to go on a pilgrimage to Ireland.

[Jeremiah Dascenzo]

An interesting peak into someone’s experience with Celtic Christianity.

[MaryMargaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book. Found that I gained new thoughts as I read it again. Loved the questions for reflection after each chapters.

[Dee · Rating 3 out of 5]

The spiritual musings of a woman who visited Iona. She should have stayed at the monastery instead of just writing about it.

[loretta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The concept of 'thin places' has interested me for some time along with the Celtic way of worship and Christianity which differs in many ways from the western tradition. My interest began years ago when I read a book by Esther deWaal titled "the Celtic Way of Prayer: the Recovery of the Religious Imagination" and this book is a good companion to hers. The author has told her story by way of a diary written while on a journey to Iona along with a practical and informative approach to understanding the Celtic approach to Christianity. The other aspect of Ms. Balzer's writing that I appreciate is her referencing other books to further illuminate her topic. It is a book I have underlined and highlighted and will return to again and again.

[James L · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this book on the recommendation of Randy Harris, from ACU. This book was my first introduction to Celtic Christianity. Since my own ancestry is Celtic, I was fascinated to learn more.

The book is an easy read. I absolutely love the concept of the "thin place." Now, I seek out those thin places.

This book launched me on my quest to learn more. More about Celtic Christianity, more about my own faith heritage, more about my own faith.

[Joshua · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tracy does a great job of bringing several aspects of Celtic Christianity & Spirituality to light in a way that's relevant to individuals living in today's society. It is the epitome of "Ancient-Future" Christian spirituality.

[Sean-david · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tracy's book is refreshing in a sea of spiritual discipline books. Even more, it is a wonderful effort to learn from and capture some wonderful history and communion we can share in the faith with the Celts.

[Mark Lacy · Rating 2 out of 5]

The key theme of "thin places" - a concept not commonly juxtaposed with Christianity - intrigued me enough to purchase a copy of this book. But I couldn't sustain my interest in it, so I gave up on it.

[David Mosley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read in the following years:
2008
2009

[Roger Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. A great survey of elements of the Celtic tradition in Christianity and what we can take from it in the 21st Century.

[Wes · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the Best books I've read on Celtic Christian Spirituality.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is a very good excursion to the land of Celts and their spirituality. Easy read.