Zadok Perspectives Issue 84

A response to an ancient land: being a new patriot of Australia by Brenda Holt

When did we see you hungry? a Christian response to the Millenium Development goals by Tim Costello

Apathy on trial: finding Australia's identity in partnership with the world's poor. by Dave Collis

We're all boat people: a review essay on refugees by Gordon Preece

I love a sunburnt country - but I love the beach more by Matt Bell

Nurturing Australia: an interview with Hugh Evans

No place for Utopia? by Sally Cloke

About face: Asian accounts of Australia / Fault lines: race, work and the politics of changing Australia
Review by Allan Patience

Battle lines: Australian artists at war
Review by Vena Henning

Memo for a saner world
Review by Deborah Guess

Power failure: Christianity in the culture of technology
Review by Claudine Chionh

The shaping of things to come
Review by Darren Cronshaw

Don't start me talking: Lyrics 1984-2004
Review by Matt Bell

Holy Topsy-Turveydom
Review by Monique Lisbon

Faith Matters: theology for the church and the world.

Order this paper

S133 Colonies of Heaven: Celtic Models for Today's Australian Church.
By Darren Cronshaw
Spring 2004
One of the ways contemporary seekers are connecting with spirituality inside and outside the church is through Celtic spirituality. A number of Christian writers have started to explore the relevance of Cletic themes for the mission of the chuirch in the West. This paper applies some of their initial explorations to what is appropriate to the church in Australian culture and society. Early Celtic missionaries like Saint Patrick embraced Celtic culture wherever they could, which is a challenge facing the church in Australia as we search for identity (as a church and as a nation). Celtic church life valued communal expression, teamwork, and hospitality; virtues respected in our egalitarian, party-going Aussie culture. The Celts are perceived as being at home with nature and everyday spirituality, which suits many Australians llking for a relevant and holistic, rather than other-worldly faith. The diversity of Celtic worship recognising God's awesomeness and intimacy, and using informal gatherings, formal liturgies and numerous means of expression, offers a refreshing challenge to much contemporary Australian worship. Celtic tradition invites risk-taking in a journey of exploring new ways of doing church for today in Australia.