The Truth Is In the Story

One of the great tensions between Western rationalism (and thus rationalistic Christianity) and the previous spiritual traditions based on participation and observation of natural expression of Divine truth is the question of where is truth or how do we “know” truth. Western rationalistic and evangelical/fundamentalistic expressions of Christianity tend to locate truth in pre-prepared statements, dogmatic announcements, and “beliefs” that are essential to club membership. Pre-rationalistic ways of speaking of faith or belief tend to be about participation in Mystery and a way of “being” that is not always summed up in beliefs or rational measures of being in “the club”. Celtic Christianity tends to be that pre-rational way of perceiving the relationship between us, the expression of God through Nature, and God’s very essence that is the Mystery.

The Celtic tradition is wonderfully narrative-based. Stories are the defining element of self. And story-telling allows for the flexibility of including each unique human life. It holds the possibility of each person and expression of Nature to be included in the story. It tends to reject the over-defined way of announcing certain beliefs that must be “believed” in order to be part of the story. The story is God’s story and therefore any good story has the ability to include much of the human soul and the longings of the human heart that draws us toward the Great Spirit and our place in God’s very essence.

Celtic storytellers have always embodied this beautiful inclusion. The art of storytelling, in this lovely tradition, has always been seen as a prophetic announcement of our place amongst the beautiful outpouring of God’s creative and redemptive invitation to invite us to a deeper encounter with who we REALLY are.

I’ve recently been introduced to an Irish storyteller who embodies this great calling. He tells the story of the people, the human soul, and the connection that we can all feel somewhere down deep where we all know who we really are. His name is Eamon Kelly. He was an Irish actor, storyteller, and playwright. We lost him in our temporal moment when he passed over in 2001.

I’d like to invite you to a few enjoyable moments, when you have some minutes or even an hour, to enjoy his interaction with a local and communal audience in the 1960’s. I think you’ll enjoy his storytelling artistry and his brilliant spirit. As you enjoy it, I encourage you to realize your place in the stories, in the laughter, and in your rightful place amongst all things. (And if your ear isn’t quite tuned to the Irish accent then please turn on the closed caption, “cc”, option at the bottom or the video screen).

Here’s a link to the first and second parts of the Youtube video:

Eamon Kelly Stories from Ireland 1: https://youtu.be/pHIdOcc4EQo

Eamon Kelly Stories from Ireland 2: https://youtu.be/mHzG_4pl-Vg

Enjoy your place in the story.

Kirk Webb
(Director of The Celtic Center)