1. One characteristic of Celtic Christianity in its being thoroughly biblical- this is seen by their commentaries on scripture. Another characteristic of Celtic Christianity is their general theology. The author says, "General theology refers to the shape of this understanding implicit over a wider range of literary genres..." A final characteristic is their this-worldy spirituality spirituality. This is said to be the case because of the spiritual culture it was brought into.
2. One question I have is when the author mentions the Age of Heroic Materialism. The author does not explain what this is, so my question would be what it means. Another question I have is when the author talks about the general theology of Celtic Spirituality. He says the divine presence and power flows in and through Mary. My question is how this could be possible because Mary is not a deity, so how and why is she the center of power?
3. Magic is incompatible with Celtic Christianity because it is an attempt to bypass God's grace and mercy, and be supernatural for ourselves. The exercise of magic is described as sustaining and creative presence- such as in the rising of the sun, and the wind. This is different than the Christian exercise of power which is calling upon God in our prayers and desires.
Tuesday, March 15, 2016
Monday, March 7, 2016
John of the Cross
1. According to John, God sends is through the dark night because he wants our souls to grow deeper, and teach it virtue and keep it from falling into vice. It is the moving from "spiritual milk, to spiritual meat" so to speak. Going through difficult times is what matures us, and makes us more spiritually aware, and that is what I think John is describing.
2. I think that some of the expectations and assumptions of the spiritual life we have are that prayer is going to be a spiritually fruitful time that will make us feel happy and good. When we go through a spiritually fruitful time, we feel great about the world, and that's how we start to look at it, but then we realize later on that that is not how the world is. Another expectation is that the spiritual life will make all of our troubles easier- like we feel when we first came to God. For many people, we feel closer to God when we are first saved, or in danger, and turning to God lifts the burden. Then we think that that is how we will feel for the rest of our journey, which is not what happens.
2. I think that some of the expectations and assumptions of the spiritual life we have are that prayer is going to be a spiritually fruitful time that will make us feel happy and good. When we go through a spiritually fruitful time, we feel great about the world, and that's how we start to look at it, but then we realize later on that that is not how the world is. Another expectation is that the spiritual life will make all of our troubles easier- like we feel when we first came to God. For many people, we feel closer to God when we are first saved, or in danger, and turning to God lifts the burden. Then we think that that is how we will feel for the rest of our journey, which is not what happens.
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