LECTIO DIVINA: A JOURNEY INTO DIVINE READING
Lectio Divina, which means "Divine Reading" in Latin, is a spiritual practice that involves listening to Scripture with the whole self. It's a meditative way of reading the Bible by conversing with God through Scripture, incorporating thoughts, images, senses, memories, and feelings.
This practice is grounded in the belief that the LORD God is personal and He desires intimate communication with His people, both individually and collectively.
Lectio Divina has evolved into two main forms: monastic and scholastic. The scholastic method, emerging in the Middle Ages, organizes the practice starting with READING (Lectio) followed by REFLECTING (Meditatio), RESPONDING (Oratio), and finally RESTING (Contemplatio).
In contrast, the monastic approach, practiced by early Christian ascetics and later in monasteries, emphasizes contemplative prayer over discursive meditation. Paper Snow’s Bible Studies incorporate the scholastic practice.
HISTORY
Tracing back to the third century A.D., Lectio Divina has been a spiritual practice for over 1,700 years. It provides a pathway for the Holy Spirit to speak to us in profound and unique ways, revealing insights only He can discern.
Historically, Lectio Divina was first documented by early Christian figures like Origen and Cyprian of Carthage, who practiced it in monastic settings where Scripture was read aloud and meditated upon collectively. By the 5th century, Augustine of Hippo and John Cassian championed the practice, and St. Benedict’s Rule in the 6th century formalized it as part of monastic life.
In the 12th century, Bernard of Clairvaux revitalized the practice, emphasizing the need for personal engagement with Scripture. As universities emerged around 1200, the focus shifted to individual study, but Lectio Divina remained a cherished personal discipline. The practice continued to evolve through the centuries, with figures like Gerard of Zutphen and John Calvin contributing to its development.
Although rooted in Roman Catholic tradition for many years, Lectio Divina was embraced by Protestantism by the 19th century. Some scholars say the practice itself may even have roots in ancient Jewish traditions, as seen in Joshua 1:8 and Psalm 1:2, with the use of the word “meditation.”
Recently, contemporary authors and scholars such as Dallas Willard, Eugene Peterson, Henri Nouwen, Jan Johnson, and Dr. David Benner have been instrumental in educating and guiding today's generations.
