Christ of the Celts
"I explore the Celtic image of Christ as the Memory of what we have forgotten. He remembers the dance of the universe and the harmony that is deep within all things. He is the Memory also of who we are."
--from the Prelude
"Diagnosing the human soul with a longing for peace in the face of fear and fragmentation nurtured by global political forces and fundamentalisms, Newell offers the ancient traditions of Celtic Christianity as a way forward in healing humankind and the earth."
--Publishers Weekly
"This graceful, wise, and important book is a superb introduction to the treasures of Celtic Christianity for our time."
--Marcus Borg, author, The Heart of Christianity

The Celtic spiritual tradition is marked by the belief that what is deepest in us, beyond the distortions of ignorance or wrongdoing, is the image of God. Its second major characteristic is a trust in the essential goodness of creation, which it regards as a revelation of God, thus avoiding the pitfall of separating spirit and matter. The simple prayers of "Each Day & Each Night" are the new expressions of the old worlds and imagery of Carmichael's collection. It is hoped that they will help us realise anew that the life of heaven is inseparably woven into the life of earth.

Newell explores the way Celtic spirituality is characterised by listening for God within ourselves, others and the whole of creation. He illustrates his book with writings such as the Carmina Gadelica, a collection of traditional folk poetry.

Listening for the Heartbeat of God presents a spirituality for today, modeled on the vital characteristics of Celtic spirituality through the centuries. Here is in emphasis on the essential goodness of creation and of humanity made in the image of God. This book traces the lines of Celtic spirituality from the British church in the fourth century through to the twentieth century, in the founder of the Iona Community, George Macleod. J. Phillip Newell finds Celtic spiritual roots in the New Testament, in the mysticism of St. John the Evangelist. John was especially remembered as the one who lay against Jesus at the Last Supper and heard the heartbeat of God. Hence he became a Celtic image of listening to God in all of life. This fresh angle on Celtic spirituality--linking figures in the Bible and in British Christian history--will be warmly welcomed by all who are concerned to refresh the roots of their faith. +

By the author of Celtic Prayers from Iona In Celtic tradition, the "Book of Creation" is where we "read" what the Creator has said to us. J. Philip Newell here reflects on the seven days of creation in Genesis, using them as a guide to the practice of Celtic spirituality. Each day explores a different aspect of creation as a manifestation of God, revealing divine presence at the heart of everyday life. Newell begins by tracing the history of Celtic spirituality and how it clashed with Rome, then he goes on to draw from a rich and diverse selection of Celtic sources on creation: Eriugena, Pelagius, the Carmina Gadelica, novelist George MacDonald, poet Kenneth White, and Iona Community founder George MacLeod. Newell also includes meditation exercises that may be used by either individuals or groups. Newell is quickly becoming one of today's most authoritative and inspirational voices on Celtic spirituality. His book is perfect for prayer groups, seasonal parish programs, small faith communities, religious communities, spiritual seekers, anyone of Celtic heritage, and anyone interested in creation spirituality.

Few issues have caused the church more difficulty through the ages than those surrounding the human body. Throughout much of Christian history, spiritual seekers have considered the body to be, at best, a hindrance to spiritual enlightenment, and, at worst, an enemy to be suppressed. Many of our contemporary negative preoccupations with physical appearance, image, and sexuality derive from this ancient and habitual denial of the notion that we were created in God's image.

In Echo of the Soul bestselling author J. Philip Newell finds that the human body, like creation, is actually the dwelling place of God. Using the Old Testament Wisdom literature, which informed Celtic spirituality's positive understanding of what it means to be human, Newell looks at each part of the body as a sacred text that reveals something of the Divine. Looking back to a time before Christians began to distrust their physicality, Newell shows that our most ancient texts challenge modern assumptions about love, beauty, sexuality, learning, wisdom, power, and responsibility, and bridges the body/spirit divide.

This lavishly illustrated daily prayer book draws on the great spiritual insights and wisdom of the Celtic church, offering prayers and Scripture readings for every morning and evening of the week.

Each day Celtic Benediction invites readers to meditate on a different aspect of the creation story from Genesis. On Sunday the theme is light. In the morning, the prayers and readings lead us to seek the light of the life of God in all his creatures. At night, we meditate on the light that no darkness can overcome as we bring the world and its needs to God. And so on through each day of the week: water, the fruitful earth, the animal world, humanity, playful rest, and all that God has made draw us into intimate prayer. Related Scripture readings are also given for each day of the year, making this a book to use constantly.

Illustrated throughout with colored panels from the Lindisfarne Gospels, Celtic Benediction offers contemporary Christians a unique devotional experience to treasure for a lifetime.

This is a moving reflection on the Christ of ancient Celtic tradition. Internationally acclaimed for his work in the field of Celtic spirituality, J. Philip Newell brings together a new concept of who Christ is today with the Celtic reverence for harmony with God and nature. "Christ of the Celts" offers a beautifully written meditation on the Celtic Christ and the possibilities for harmony, healing, and renewal for human beings and for all of creation. J. Philip Newell (Edinburgh, Scotland) is a poet, scholar, and teacher. Formerly warden of Iona Abbey in the Western Isles of Scotland (the current "headquarters" of Celtic spirituality), he is now Writer-Theologian for the Scottish Cathedral of the Isles as well as Companion Theologian for the American Spirituality Center of Casa del Sol at the Ghost Ranch Retreat Center in Abiquiu, New Mexico.