Ireland has long been a cherished land for many Americans whose cultural and religious landscape has been shaped by Irish immigrants and their traditions. The growing interest in Celtic Christianity includes a renewed interest in the faith and practice of Irish peoples. The golden age of Christian saints and scholars in Ireland--about the fifth to the ninth centuries--is a treasure trove of theological, artistic and literary material for the twenty-first-century Christian to engage. Let's dig through the so-called Celtic junk that often packs the shelves of popular bookstores and explore some of the legitimate traditions of Irish Christianity in its early days. We will go beyond the "wearin' o' the green" and look at real material about the ever-popular Saint Patrick as well as explore the theological theme of borders, which is important in Celtic Christianity.
Participants will get to know some of the basics of the history of early Ireland and the expressions of Celtic Christianity in it, especially Patrick and his writings. They will begin to reflect on ways the themes of this tradition may inform their Christian discipleship and identity. In particular, discussion will be geared toward helping participants understand the concepts of lorica and liminality.