To continue the discussion... what are your thoughts on Lectio Divina (pronounced "Lec-tsee-oh Di-vee-nah")? Lectio Divina is Latin for divine reading, spiritual reading, or "holy reading," and represents a method of prayer and scriptural reading intended to promote communion with God and to provide special spiritual insights. It is a way of praying with Scripture that calls one to study, ponder, listen and, finally, pray from God's Word. Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Sporty: Lectio Divina
To continue the discussion... what are your thoughts on Lectio Divina (pronounced "Lec-tsee-oh Di-vee-nah")? Lectio Divina is Latin for divine reading, spiritual reading, or "holy reading," and represents a method of prayer and scriptural reading intended to promote communion with God and to provide special spiritual insights. It is a way of praying with Scripture that calls one to study, ponder, listen and, finally, pray from God's Word. 
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7 comments:
Hi Sporty,
Have you tried this new method. Has it been enriching?
Maybe I missed it...was one of the links about the method itself? I'll google it. This is an interesting discussion. I'm going to shower and then jump in :-)
Just off the top, there are three things that I like about this approach: 1. It's grounded in scripture. 2. It encourages the pray-er to apply what they've read. 3. It emphasizes two-way communication.
I hadn't heard of the method but I recently started using some of these principles as part of a mini season of prayer. It has definitely made my bible reading + prayer more integrated, focused and interactive.
Spice - I haven't tried this yet but it was on the same handout I got from bible class that talked about the centering prayer. Historically centering prayer and lectio divina were used together.
I like what I've read so far. It seems like a version of many devotional styles I've heard discussed. I plan to try it.
Ginger - I feel the same way. Initial gut feeling was good. I like the intentional approach.
This is what I found on the topic of Lectio Divina http://www.crossroad.to/glossary/spiritual.htm)
1. Lectio (reading) where we read the Word of God, slowly and reflectively so that it sinks into us
2.Meditatio (reflection) where we think about the text we have chosen and ruminate upon it so that we take from it what God wants to give us.
3. Oratio (response) where we leave our thinking aside and simply let our hearts speak to God. This response is inspired by our reflection on the Word of God.
4. Contemplatio (rest) where we let go not only of our own ideas, plans and meditations but also of our holy words and thoughts. We simply rest in the word of God. We listen at the deepest level of our being to God who speaks within us with a still small voice. As we listen, we are gradually transformed from within."
My Thoughts:
Meditation in the form of reflection that engages our thoughts and minds seems to be a good bible study tool..."I will study your commandments and reflect on your ways." Psalm 119:15
God encourages us to study and read His Word, to reflect on it. So the first and second steps of the Lectio Divina seem cool. Where I start getting antsy is on 3 and 4. The concept of leaving our thinking, our thoughts aside… the concept that God speaks within us and not to us…
The Bible counsels us to be alert (1 peter 5:7-8) and to watch and pray (Matt 26:41) lest we fall into temptation. The terminology in 3 and 4 include subtle teachings of New Age practices that, to me, open the door to experiences that can be deceiving and dangerous. And unless we are constantly on our guard we can easily find ourselves down a path that was not intended. At first glance it seems ok, but if further explored to involve the other teachings and concepts that usually accompany the Lectio Divina Practice, it leaves me wary.
I think it’s important to set aside quiet time with God. To relax without the distractions of other things around. To pray for His Spirit to guide our thoughts. Choosing a text to reflect on during that time. To ponder. Asking questions about the meanings and use of different words in it. At all times, thoughts engaged in a prayerful spirit.
I think steps 3 and 4 can sound more (or less) alarming depending on which site/definition you look at. Here's a question that came to mind:
How many of you have ever heard God's voice? Under what conditions? What does that experience say to you about when + how God might choose to speak?
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