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Reading the Bible the Celtic Way: The Peacock’s Tail Feathers
Learn how the ancient Christian Celts read the Bible—and discover new ways to understand the sacred Scriptures today. The Celts' perspectives on the Bible were far less literal than many modern viewpoints, and yet at the same time, they treasured even deeper layers of meaning than most twenty-first century readers are familiar with. For the Celts, Scripture was a wondrous treasure trove of metaphor and meaning, stories and symbols, all pointing to the loving Mystery that weaves through all Reality. This is the first section of the CELTIC STUDY BIBLE. The individual Gospels and Acts will also be available on Kindle, with the complete paperback available in March 2017.
- GenresSpirituality
150 pages, Paperback
Published April 17, 2019
157 people are currently reading
91 people want to read
About the author
Kenneth McIntosh
107 books48 followersKenneth McIntosh is a writer, educator and spiritual mentor. As a child he became fascinated with the Celtic legends of his heritage. Degrees in English and theology combined with travels in the Middle East and the Celtic lands of Ireland, Scotland and Wales inspire his writing.
He is best known for his book Water from an Ancient Well: Celtic Spirituality for Modern Life. In addition, he has written dozens of other books--mostly non-fiction. He lives in Flagstaff, Arizona with his wife and pets. In addition to writing he teaches Comparative Religions at a community college and serves as pastor for a progressive Christian church. His hobbies include hiking, investigating rock art and archaeological sites, labyrinth building and fixing vintage Volkswagens.
Kenneth is also a noted public speaker and is available for seminars, retreats and other speaking engagements.
He is best known for his book Water from an Ancient Well: Celtic Spirituality for Modern Life. In addition, he has written dozens of other books--mostly non-fiction. He lives in Flagstaff, Arizona with his wife and pets. In addition to writing he teaches Comparative Religions at a community college and serves as pastor for a progressive Christian church. His hobbies include hiking, investigating rock art and archaeological sites, labyrinth building and fixing vintage Volkswagens.
Kenneth is also a noted public speaker and is available for seminars, retreats and other speaking engagements.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 26, 2025
Good Original Thought to Work From - Too Bad This Author Didn't
I was very interested in this concept because I do believe that the Bible should be read literally and metaphorically and inaginatively, and that God's other book to us is nature. That being said, having my Doctorate in Theology, I have studied the historical, archeological and scientific accuracy of the Bible, and have studied the original languages of the Bible as well as their many translations, and I was very disappointed to read in this book that the author dismisses the abundant scientific evidence that supports the literal creation narrative, references parts of the Bible that are accounts of humans making poor choices as having coming directly from God, discounts archeological evidence that has come to light that actually proves stories in the Bible such as the Canaanite conquest, that actually have amazing evidence to support the literal event's of (only in a different time than many secular archeologist claim claim it happened), who takes stories in the Bible that sin infected humans did as approved by God instead of the teaching accounts they were meant to be, accused God of genocide without a thorough understanding of why God condemned certain cities to destruction and not others, etc. Instead of actuañly applying Celtic world view such as it existed in St. Patrick's time for example, he relies more on medieval philosophers who were interested in promoting the church's agenda than in actual historical works, etc. I was very disappointed in the overall book which seems to attempt to meld modern worldviews with the Bible and Celtic people to make it more palatable to modern readers and I actually found little here that supports the actual historical, archeological and scientific support of the Bible. The initial premise is good. But then is ruined by this attempt to meld modern thought with ancient writing. What a shame.
I was very interested in this concept because I do believe that the Bible should be read literally and metaphorically and inaginatively, and that God's other book to us is nature. That being said, having my Doctorate in Theology, I have studied the historical, archeological and scientific accuracy of the Bible, and have studied the original languages of the Bible as well as their many translations, and I was very disappointed to read in this book that the author dismisses the abundant scientific evidence that supports the literal creation narrative, references parts of the Bible that are accounts of humans making poor choices as having coming directly from God, discounts archeological evidence that has come to light that actually proves stories in the Bible such as the Canaanite conquest, that actually have amazing evidence to support the literal event's of (only in a different time than many secular archeologist claim claim it happened), who takes stories in the Bible that sin infected humans did as approved by God instead of the teaching accounts they were meant to be, accused God of genocide without a thorough understanding of why God condemned certain cities to destruction and not others, etc. Instead of actuañly applying Celtic world view such as it existed in St. Patrick's time for example, he relies more on medieval philosophers who were interested in promoting the church's agenda than in actual historical works, etc. I was very disappointed in the overall book which seems to attempt to meld modern worldviews with the Bible and Celtic people to make it more palatable to modern readers and I actually found little here that supports the actual historical, archeological and scientific support of the Bible. The initial premise is good. But then is ruined by this attempt to meld modern thought with ancient writing. What a shame.
May 19, 2021
Interesting Perspective
I liked that the book was short, well organized and researched. The writing was easy to understand for this lay person, but spent time to define terms when needed. The Kindle version didn’t have any illustrations beyond a few designs on the chapter heads, and I missed being able to see an image (color would have been great) of the Book of Kells.
I liked that the book was short, well organized and researched. The writing was easy to understand for this lay person, but spent time to define terms when needed. The Kindle version didn’t have any illustrations beyond a few designs on the chapter heads, and I missed being able to see an image (color would have been great) of the Book of Kells.
September 12, 2024
Eyeopening
Although as an Episcopalian I have always felt encouraged to dig deeply into Scripture. I was taught to use the "Three J
Legged Stool of scripture, church Tradition, and personal reflection. In Reading the Bible the Celtic Way, McIntosh offers a different framework, with enlightening examples.
Although as an Episcopalian I have always felt encouraged to dig deeply into Scripture. I was taught to use the "Three J
Legged Stool of scripture, church Tradition, and personal reflection. In Reading the Bible the Celtic Way, McIntosh offers a different framework, with enlightening examples.
January 30, 2020
Enlightening
I truly enjoyed the new (or perhaps old) perspectives in this book on interpretation.
I truly enjoyed the new (or perhaps old) perspectives in this book on interpretation.
January 5, 2022
Easy to read. It explains how the Celts historically viewed the Bible.
April 29, 2022
Enlightening
I did not know what to expect, but am interested in all things Celtic and the Bible. I learned history and a new way to read Scripture.
I did not know what to expect, but am interested in all things Celtic and the Bible. I learned history and a new way to read Scripture.
October 10, 2024
The only thing keeping me from giving this 5 stars is the length. I need wayyyy more. Fortunately there's a big long list of Suggested Reading at the end.
March 17, 2025
A good read.
A good read. I commend it heartily to any Christian seeker of the Divine and to all you unbelievers too
A good read. I commend it heartily to any Christian seeker of the Divine and to all you unbelievers too
October 28, 2024
An antidote to Evangelical over literalism?
Using the peacock as a repeated metaphor, this book exposes a three fold way of engaging with The Bible, rooted in the ways and theology of the C1st insular Christians.
The early chapters survey and explain the theological influences and beliefs that underpin this approach rooting it in particular, documented people and events. It is well researched, referencing works from notable contemporary modern scholars and ancient church fathers alike.
The later chapters walk through the approach, explaining it in straight forward English embellished with examples and poetic reference and, whilst these chapters never mention the words exegesis or hermeneutics, they explain their method very well.
The 3rd approach of entering into the stories, imaginatively is what makes this notable and distinctive. A very good example of which is the TV series 'The Chosen'.
The author ties and weaves this into the Celtic belief in creation as a parallel source of revelation and shows no fear when discussing the science v faith territory that this inevitable leads into. He shows how it creates room for creative and discursive engagement, firstly with Biblical poetry and stories themselves but also with others who might see things differently and how it can breathe life into the kind of discussion that has been constricted, choked and even vilified by overly literal approaches.
This little gem has many strengths; it's practical, rooted and solid. It avoids rose-tinted lenses and the over romanticising that the subject of Celtic Christianity is prone to and it doesn't seek to explain everything but leaves the questions and uncertainty 'out there', but I think that the overriding strength of this book is it's simple readability. It makes a weighty, complex subject accessible, tackling implications on belief and theology head on and all whilst avoiding the kind of theological jargon that might inhibit some folk from understanding or even reading about biblical interpretation.
Using the peacock as a repeated metaphor, this book exposes a three fold way of engaging with The Bible, rooted in the ways and theology of the C1st insular Christians.
The early chapters survey and explain the theological influences and beliefs that underpin this approach rooting it in particular, documented people and events. It is well researched, referencing works from notable contemporary modern scholars and ancient church fathers alike.
The later chapters walk through the approach, explaining it in straight forward English embellished with examples and poetic reference and, whilst these chapters never mention the words exegesis or hermeneutics, they explain their method very well.
The 3rd approach of entering into the stories, imaginatively is what makes this notable and distinctive. A very good example of which is the TV series 'The Chosen'.
The author ties and weaves this into the Celtic belief in creation as a parallel source of revelation and shows no fear when discussing the science v faith territory that this inevitable leads into. He shows how it creates room for creative and discursive engagement, firstly with Biblical poetry and stories themselves but also with others who might see things differently and how it can breathe life into the kind of discussion that has been constricted, choked and even vilified by overly literal approaches.
This little gem has many strengths; it's practical, rooted and solid. It avoids rose-tinted lenses and the over romanticising that the subject of Celtic Christianity is prone to and it doesn't seek to explain everything but leaves the questions and uncertainty 'out there', but I think that the overriding strength of this book is it's simple readability. It makes a weighty, complex subject accessible, tackling implications on belief and theology head on and all whilst avoiding the kind of theological jargon that might inhibit some folk from understanding or even reading about biblical interpretation.
October 2, 2016
A very good introduction!
A very good introduction to how the Celtic followers of Jesus read and saw the Bible. I highly recommend it. Ken's writing style is really easy to follow; which is saying a lot for such a vast and complex topic.
A very good introduction to how the Celtic followers of Jesus read and saw the Bible. I highly recommend it. Ken's writing style is really easy to follow; which is saying a lot for such a vast and complex topic.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews