You may have to Search all our reviewed books and magazines, click the sign up button below to create a free account.
Examines the life, character and achievements of St Columba, and the distinctive nature and current relevance of Columban Christianity and its key strands - pilgrimage, penitence and politics. This saint's message has never been more timely than now, 1400 years after his death.
How water has been worshipped, understood and used spiritually from healing springs to modern spas, in a journey through holiness, health and hedonism.
'The Celtic Way' provides a balanced, factually based introduction to the Celtic Church. This edition includes a new introduction in which Ian Bradley reflects on the changes and developments that have taken place in the Celtic Christian scene since this title first appeared.
At a time of renewed interest in the monarchy (stimulated by the marriage of Prince William of Wales and the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II), the institution is analyzed and dissected from almost every point of view apart from the sacred -- which arguably stands at its heart and is its ultimate raison d'etre. Commentators assess the constitutional and philanthropic aspects of monarchy and its tourist potential; gossip magazines report on the Royal Family as a soap opera. This lack of attention is in marked contrast to the sacred origins of monarchy and the manifest importance of religious belief in the life of the present monarch. Ian Bradley traces the religious dimension of monarchy and argues for its importance as a spiritual force in British life, as well as exploring what this might mean in a society that is both multi-faith and increasingly secular.
This book explores the phenomenon of Christian pilgrimage, pointing to its origins in the exodus and subsequent wilderness experience of the Jews, the medieval heyday when millions of pilgrims spend months traveling across Europe, and the modern revival that has blurred the lines between pilgrimage and tourism and made places such as Iona, Taize, and Santiago di Compostella the mecca for contemporary seekers and travelers. Lavishily illustrated, the book begins with the history and then covers pilgrimages in Ireland, Scotland, England, Wales, Norway, France, Spain, Italy, Bosnia-Herzogovina, and Poland. Providing a mixture of history and fact with vivid personal experiences and pilgrims' own accounts and prayers, Ian Bradley brings to life one of the most vibrant expressions of Christian spirituality.
Water has long been associated with the magical, the mysterious and the divine. From sacred springs to holy wells, and from hydropathic cures and temperance reform to the modern spa, Ian Bradley explores how water's creative, health-giving and restorative powers have been conceived, worshipped and marketed in an essentially spiritual way. In pre-Christian times, springs and rivers were seen as the dwelling places of deities with magical life-giving and curative powers, associated especially with the feminine and with ritual cleansing and rebirth. With the coming of Christianity, water was incorporated into Christian ritual and tradition through baptism and the cult of holy wells. From the 16...
Arguing that the musical is the "most ubiquitous and dominant cultural icon of our age," scholar Ian Bradley unpacks the theological significance of the musical. Bradley argues that musicals provide millions of people around the world not just with entertainment but also with spiritual and theological values, a philosophy of life, and an encounter with God. In addition, he offers his thoughts on what the popularity of the musical might mean for the future of the church.
Here are the full original texts of 150 of the best loved hymns in the English language. Each is accompanied by a fascinating commentary, giving biographical details of the author (such as the Calvinist creator of Rock of Ages who once calculated that the average human sins 2,522,880,000 times); notes on the circumstances in which the hymn was written; and variant versions. Each hymn is prefaced by an urbanely written and agreeably subjective commentary with a wealth of anecdotes and a few ribald parodies. This charming book should also be required reading for all those responsible for choosing hymns in church. Ian Bradley writes with wit, elegance and charm and is quite exceptionally knowledgeable about his subject.
Columba is one of the best known and most well documented figures in Celtic Christianity and has consistently been Scotland's most popular saint. His journey from his native Ireland, where he was born 1500 years ago, took him eventually to Iona where he established a monastery which was to have a hugely important role in the Christianisation of the British Isles. Iona remains today a spiritual beacon and magnet drawing pilgrims from across the world keen to learn about his legacy and follow his way.In this substantially updated and revised version of his acclaimed biography, which has never been out of print since it was first published 25 years ago, Ian Bradley examines Columba's character,...
A quarter-century after writing the acclaimed The Celtic Way, Ian Bradley, one of the foremost experts on the spiritual beliefs and practices of the indigenous Christian communities in the British Isles in the early Middle Ages, revisits the original sources and makes a substantial reappraisal of Celtic spirituality. Following the Celtic Way challenges many of the myths and romanticized portrayals of Celtic Christianity and shows evidence of the harder edge and demanding austerity of the lives and spirituality of believers from this time. This book sits among the most insightful and up-to-date introductions to this distinctive and evocative expression of faith and draws out its themes that are most relevant to us today. It also offers practical spiritual guidance on how to follow the Celtic Way in the contemporary world.