Celtic Re

With reference to at least two different areas of study, outline and examine some key ideas on the theme of holiness. (30)

Holiness is a state of sanctity within a religion. Within the christian religion, holiness plays a huge part in being and getting close to god. A life of holiness involves many things such as the following.

A life of holiness starts with a call, this call is perceived as being universal, it doesn't matter whether the person is wealthy/poor, or have a high/low status within society, or on the persons gender, it is accepted that anyone can be called to a life of holiness Within the celtic church we see this is the case when we consider patrick, despite being a sinful young boy, he was called to a life of holiness during his captivity, "and the lord opened my mind to an awareness of my unbelief, in order that,even so late that, I might remember my transgressions and turn with all my heart to the lord our God". Similarly we can find examples of the universal call in the gospel of Luke for example simon was just an ordinary fishermen with no great wealth or high position within society yet he was called to a life of holiness by the son of God. "He fell down at jesus' knees saying, Depart from me for i am a man a sinner... Jesus said fear not thou shall be fishers of men". These examples show that the call to holiness is indeed universal.

Secondly a life of holiness involves a conversion from an old way of life to a new one. Patrick again gives the best example for this from the celtic church. From the confessio we can see that his conversion took place during his time of captivity, "more and more did the love of God and my fear and faith of him increase" here we see that patricks conversion was gradual and strong as in in day he would say over "one hundred prayers". We can also find examples of conversion in luke gospel from john the baptist he preached for people to "repent and believe in the good news". John the baptist paved the way for...