Journeys with Celtic Christians by Rodney Newman

‘Writers often use the metaphor of journey or pilgrimage to describe the Christian life. What distinguishes this book and its development of that theme is its invitation to readers to experience their personal faith journeys through Celtic lenses…By connecting historical information with their current lives and concerns, readers will be encouraged to consider the many ways pilgrimage has shaped their personal faith’. These statements taken from the back of this book give you a good indication as to its contents and subject. Taking the reader on a journey with examples and stories from not just the Celtic saints, but also the bible and the author’s own life experiences, with a good balance of all three within the pages.

However, the journey the reader is taken on is not necessarily what one might expect. Using subject titles for each chapter of Embarking on the journey; Friends on the journey; Markers on the journey; Hospitality on the journey; Reluctant journeys; and Blessings on the journey, Rodney Newman often takes the reader down unexpected paths and avenues.

Written simply yet with a depth to it, Newman manages to expand some common themes found in Celtic Christianity through the metaphor of journey so that the reader feels at ease with the author as a guide to go along with him. Like any good guide around Celtic sights, Newman expands upon what you think you see at first glance to open your eyes to that which is not obvious initially.

With a good balance of history and hagiography ‘Journeys with Celtic Christians’ refreshingly gives an introduction to Celtic Christianity in a style more like a guide book to sacred sites than an historical or theological text book. Although there is a distinct leaning towards the ‘how the Irish saved civilization’ perspective of Celtic Christianity (which I personally feel diminishes the great influence of the British Celtic Christians who came before Patrick, Brigid and Columba – the main three mentioned in the book), the approach to Celtic Christianity is objective and separates the known history from the ‘perhaps this happened’ parts of the lives of the Celtic saints well without losing any enjoyment of the story.

This book is a good introduction to Celtic Christianity for those early on the path, but also a reminder, presented in a friendly manner, of things which those of us further along on this journey may have begun to take for granted, or even forgotten.

As an added extra to the main book, Rodney Newman has also written a ‘Leader Guide’ book to enable ‘Journeys with Celtic Christians’ to be used as a study book for groups. With great suggestions for preparing each of the 6 sessions, leading the sessions, and making the sessions interactive, Newman creates a wonderful resource for a lively, informative and intimate gathering of interested folk. With additional related stories and prayers to each chapter in the Leader Guide to those within the main book, Newman prompts the expansion of each chapter through discussion.

These two books together make an excellent resource for introducing people to Celtic Christianity, or for deepening the reality of implementing Celtic Christian teachings into the lives of those already on this journey in a group setting.