Category Archives: lectio divina

Wrestling with Brother Lawrence’s Concept of “Practicing the Presence of God”

Brother Lawrence purports to have found the secret to a higher spiritual life. However, there are several theological and practical problems evident in his teachings. These endanger those who follow his lead to neglect what God has called us to practice — a life centered on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In what follows, I will highlight several of the deficiencies of “practicing the presence of God” and respond to the question “What then shall we practice?” continue

Our “spiritual-but-not-religious” neighbors believe that

Our “spiritual-but-not-religious” neighbors believe that

  • all is one and that god exists in everything. According to the Bible, there are two kinds of reality: God and creation, and God in His being is distinct from His creation.
  • everyone shares in the divine power and can bring the world to new levels of happiness and peace. The Bible says that, though made in God’s image, there are two kinds of people: those who are reconciled with God and those who are in rebellion against Him, and that only God can truly save the world.
  • since each religion has some of the truth, we only have to put them together to discover the whole truth. The Bible describes the timeless religious conflict between the Truth and the Lie, and that every human being must worship and serve the true Creator God.
  • our human problems are a result of forgetfulness: we have forgotten that we are divine. The Bible says creatures trying to be God is what created all our problems from the beginning!
  • we should look within to find inner divine power. The Bible tells us to look to God, and His Son, Jesus, who by the power of His Spirit, independent of our efforts, reconciles us sinful creatures to Himself.

Make no mistake; spiritual post-secularists will be as formidable opponents of the Christian message as their secularist forebears.

“Lectio Divina.”

Lectio Divina analysis?

Hi gang.

As I said, busy week isn’t leaving me the time I usually have, but you all are still on my mind.

A reader emailed me, asking if I know of any good resources assessing “Lectio Divina.” I don’t offhand, and really haven’t the time at the moment to do research for the brother… but it occurs to me that I do have some of the Biblically savviest readers in Christendom so, I figures, why not ask them?

Which I am.
Can you point to any sound, sober, Biblical assessments of what is seen as a mostly Roman Catholic practice of Lectio Divina? I say “mostly,” because I heard none other than Bruce Waltke rehearsing it positively in a series of talks on Proverbs at Dallas Theological Seminary’s chapel. In fact, Waltke even says Calvin and Luther used a similar method.
Have at it.

…and, completely unrelatedly but in classic BibChrTM style: Fred Butler alerts us that today is Star Wars day.

As you were.