Celtic Tradition



Characteristics of the Celtic Tradition



There was no division between the sacred and the secular.

There was spiritual equality of women and men.

They had a preference for rural life.

They were close to nature and God's creatures.

They loved poetry, music, and art.

Church structure was relational and familial in nature rather than territorial or traditionally hierarchical.

Celtic Christians were very missionary minded.

They had a more optimistic view of man than did the Roman Catholics.

They believed God was both immanent and transcendent.

There was a strong emphasis on the Trinity and Incarnation.

They believed that all life is sacramental; they affirmed the Presence of God in even the smallest of everyday tasks.

They were passionate about peace and justice.

The Celtic Church was much less authoritarian than the Roman Catholic Church.

Celtic Christians stressed local spiritual unity rather than universal uniformity.

They valued personal sanctity more than doctrinal orthodoxy.

They included animals, crops, seasons, elements, and the stars in their understanding of God's providence and plan.

They believed in the nearness of the spiritual world.

They were content in simplicity.

They valued family loyalty.

The Celtic Church emphasized anamchara, the "soul friend" - a spiritual mentor and fellow traveller on the true path.



Note: I am including this information here for those who would like to know more about the ancient Celtic Church, and also to show how the Celtic tradition and the Anabaptist tradition share some characteristics. Check "The Anabaptists" page to see the characteristics these two traditions have in common.