Process Theology and Celtic Wisdom
()
About this ebook
The Christian life is a holy adventure.
Bruce Epperly has opened up that adventure to everyone in his previous books Process Theology, Process Spirituality, and Process and Ministry. Now he connects this adventure to ancient roots in Celtic spirituality.
This book takes a meditative, experiential approach to the complex, often difficult topic of process theology and brings it to life for everyday spiritual practice, while rooting it in Celtic wisdom.
This is not the place for rigid doctrine and adherence to a set of commands. Instead, Epperly hears God's call to embrace a God who is available to us, a call to adventure, and the hope for new spiritual vistas. This spiritual journey will resonate in how we live and build community.
This is a short volume, designed for anyone to read. It is suitable for individual or group study. It aims to make both process theology and Celtic wisdom available to everyone.
Read more from Bruce G. Epperly
The Mystic in You: Discovering a God-Filled World Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsPiglet's Process: Process Theology for All God's Children Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Transforming Acts: Acts of the Apostles as a 21st Century Gospel Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGalatians; A Participatory Study Guide Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Finding God in Suffering: A Journey with Job Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Spiritual Decluttering: 40 Days to Spiritual Transformation and Planetary Healing Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsPhilippians: A Participatory Study Guide Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHealing Marks Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLetters to My Grandson: Gaining Wisdom from a Fresh Perspectives Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAngels, Mysteries, and Miracles: A Progressive Vision Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMessy Incarnation: Meditations on Christ in Process Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsTaking a Walk with Whitehead: Meditations with Process-Relational Theology Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsImmersion Bible Studies: Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Prophet Amos Speaks to America: Ancient Wisdom for Contemporary Politics Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLove in a Time of Crisis and Pandemic: Messages for Our Children and Grandchildren Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsChurch Ahead: Moving Forward with Congregational Spiritual Practices Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHope Beyond Pandemic Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe God of Tomorrow: Whitehead And Teilhard on Metaphysics, Mysticism, And Mission Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Related to Process Theology and Celtic Wisdom
Titles in the series (52)
The Authorship of Hebrews: The Case for Paul Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Process Theology: Embracing Adventure with God Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A Cup of Cold Water: Being Jesus to the "Least of These" Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHolistic Spirituality: Life Transforming Wisdom from the Letter of James Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWhat Protestants Need to Know about Roman Catholics Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWhat Roman Catholics Need to Know about Protestants Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsTo Date or Not to Date: What the Bible Says about Premarital Relationships Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsRendering unto Caesar: Examining What Jesus Said About Giving God What Is His Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFrom Words of Woe to Unbelievable News:: Alternative Voices for the Lenten Journey Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsI'm Right and You're Wrong: Why we disagree about the Bible and what to do about it Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsRuth and Esther: Women of Agency and Adventure Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsStewardship: God's Way of Recreating the World Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Authority of Scripture in a Postmodern Age: Some Help from Karl Barth Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsForgiveness: Finding Freedom from Your Past Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsJonah: When God Changes Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWhy Christians Should Care about Their Jewish Roots Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Caregiver's Beatitudes Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWhat Is Wrong with Social Justice Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFrom Here to Eternity:: Preparing for the Next Adventure Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Eucharist: Encounters with Jesus at the Table Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Pathways to Prayer Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Short Critique of Climate Change Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsChristianity: The Basics Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsProcess Theology and Celtic Wisdom Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsProcess and Pastoral Care Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsProcess and Ministry Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsProcess Spirituality: Practicing Holy Adventure Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThose Footnotes in Your New Testament: A Textual Criticism Primer for Everyone Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsTo Love and Cherish: Ephesians 5 and the Challenge of Christian Marriage Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsOne World: The Lord's Prayer from a Process Perspective Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Related ebooks
Earth Afire with God: Celtic Prayers for Ordinary Life Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Blue Sky God: The Evolution of Science and Christianity Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCeltic Benediction: Morning and Night Prayer Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A New Climate for Christology: Kenosis, Climate Change, and Befriending Nature Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsChristian Animism Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Rebirthing of God: Christianity's Struggle for New Beginnings Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5One World: The Lord's Prayer from a Process Perspective Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWhen God Was a Bird: Christianity, Animism, and the Re-Enchantment of the World Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Process Spirituality: Practicing Holy Adventure Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsRivers of Green Wisdom: Exploring Christian and Yogic Earth-Centred Spirituality Rating: 1 out of 5 stars1/5Dark Green Religion: Nature Spirituality and the Planetary Future Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Christian Mystics: 365 Readings and Meditations Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Evolutionary Dancer: Out, In, and On the Fringe of the Church Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsEarth Prayers: 365 Prayers, Poems, and Invocations from Around the World Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Cloud of the Impossible: Negative Theology and Planetary Entanglement Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Praying with the Earth: A Prayerbook for Peace Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA New Harmony: The Spirit, The Earth and the Human Soul Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Beautiful Bricolage: Theopoetics as God-Talk for Our Time Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsI Believe in a God Who is Growing Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWay to Water: A Theopoetics Primer Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Julian of Norwich: Wisdom in a Time of Pandemic—And Beyond Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsProcess Theology: Embracing Adventure with God Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Care for Creation: A Franciscan Spirituality of the Earth Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Celtic Christian Spirituality: Essential Writings Annotated & Explained Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Blessed Are the Consumers: Climate Change and the Practice of Restraint Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSecular Monasticism: A Journey Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSurrendering into Silence: Quaker Prayer Cycles Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Tao of Thomas Aquinas: Fierce Wisdom for Hard Times Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsDreamtime Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A New Silence: Spiritual Practices and Formation for the Monk Within Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Christianity For You
Boundaries Updated and Expanded Edition: When to Say Yes, How to Say No To Take Control of Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Screwtape Letters Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Decluttering at the Speed of Life: Winning Your Never-Ending Battle with Stuff Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Anxious for Nothing: Finding Calm in a Chaotic World Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Present Over Perfect: Leaving Behind Frantic for a Simpler, More Soulful Way of Living Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Changes That Heal: Four Practical Steps to a Happier, Healthier You Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Story: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Winning the War in Your Mind: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Wild at Heart Expanded Edition: Discovering the Secret of a Man's Soul Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Mere Christianity Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Four Loves Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Less Fret, More Faith: An 11-Week Action Plan to Overcome Anxiety Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Uninvited: Living Loved When You Feel Less Than, Left Out, and Lonely Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Grief Observed Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Bible Recap: A One-Year Guide to Reading and Understanding the Entire Bible Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Law of Connection: Lesson 10 from The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Good Boundaries and Goodbyes: Loving Others Without Losing the Best of Who You Are Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5NIV, Holy Bible Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Book of Enoch Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Everybody, Always: Becoming Love in a World Full of Setbacks and Difficult People Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Don't Give the Enemy a Seat at Your Table: It's Time to Win the Battle of Your Mind... Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Boundaries Workbook: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Girl, Wash Your Face: Stop Believing the Lies About Who You Are so You Can Become Who You Were Meant to Be Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The Holy Bible (World English Bible, Easy Navigation) Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I Guess I Haven't Learned That Yet: Discovering New Ways of Living When the Old Ways Stop Working Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Reviews for Process Theology and Celtic Wisdom
0 ratings0 reviews
Book preview
Process Theology and Celtic Wisdom - Bruce G. Epperly
PROCESS THEOLOGY AND CELTIC WISDOM:
ADVENTURES IN ECOLOGICAL SPIRITUALITY
BRUCE G. EPPERLY
Energion Publications
Gonzalez, Florida
2018
Copyright © Bruce Epperly 2018
Unless otherwise annotated, scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible (NRSV), copyright © 1989 by the Division of the Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA.
Kindle Edition: 978-1-63199-640-5
Aer.io Edition: 978-1-63199-639-9
ISBN10: 1-63199-619-3
ISBN13: 978-1-63199-619-1
Energion Publications
P. O. Box 841
Gonzalez, FL 32560
energion.co
pubs@energion.com
Table of Contents
Chapter One: Finding Our Place of Resurrection 1
Chapter Two:
Reenchanting the World:
Celtic Wisdom for the Twenty-first Century 4
Chapter Three:
With Beauty All Around Us We Live:
The Spirit of Process Theology 10
Chapter Four: Thin Places Everywhere 16
Chapter Five: Creation Sings 19
Chapter Six: Daily Blessings 24
Chapter Seven: A Lake of Ale 29
Chapter Eight: Christ to Guide Me 35
Resources for the Theospiritual Adventurer 39
Chapter One
Finding Our Place of Resurrection
According to Celtic spirituality, every journey should begin with a prayer. The path upon which we travel is filled with challenges and possibilities and danger lurks in the shadows. We need God’s guidance and protection to find our way. Centuries ago, according to some legends, in a time of threat, St. Patrick, circled himself turning toward the sunrise as he said this prayer;
I arise today
Through the strength of heaven;
Light of the sun,
Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of the wind,
Depth of the sea,
Stability of the earth,
Firmness of the rock.
I arise today
Through God’s strength to pilot me;
God’s might to uphold me,
God’s wisdom to guide me,
God’s eye to look before me,
God’s ear to hear me,
God’s word to speak for me,
God’s hand to guard me,
God’s way to lie before me,
God’s shield to protect me,
God’s hosts to save me
Near and far,
Alone or in a multitude.
Other Celtic Christian adventurers embarked on the high seas in little boats, known as coracles, without rudders to guide them, trusting that God’s providence would lead them to their place of resurrection, the holy ground upon which they would realize their destiny as God’s companions in sharing the Gospel. While such sojourns were not the norm for Celtic pilgrims, now more than ever we need the witness of Celtic Christianity to respond to our current spiritual, theological, congregational, political, and ecological uncertainties. We travel the high seas of spiritual and cultural adventure, uncertain of our destination and buffeted by the waves of postmodernism, religious pluralism, ecological destruction, political polarization, and institutional collapse. Our little boats of faith are in danger of capsizing if we do not locate theological, spiritual, and ethical polestars to guide our journeys.
Celtic Christian theology and spirituality is undergoing a revival as a spiritual pathway uniquely suited to guide our way toward spiritual and planetary wholeness. Celtic Christianity presents a life-transforming vision of an enchanted reality, in which God speaks to us in the waves, songs of birds, groves of trees, and cries of newborn babies. The disenchanted worldview, propagated by Western religion, economics, and politics alienated humankind from the non-human world, made earth and sea a garbage dump, and threatens the survival of the planet. Political and business leaders have jettisoned the wisdom of the prophets to achieve short term profits. Among many Christians, the doctrine of original sin turns our attention from earth to heaven, devalues the non-human world, and inspires apocalyptic scenarios in which God is the ultimate destroyer and humans have no agency in saving the planet.
The revival of Celtic spirituality has been an antidote to the destructive impact of orthodox
doctrines original sin, divine wrath, predestination, and evangelism. Grounded in ancient wisdom,