Jesus Creed
Perhaps you’ve heard of this and perhaps you haven’t. One approach to Bible reading is called lectio divina — sacred reading of the sacred text. In some ways it is devotional reading, but in other ways it is more rigorous and methodical than typical devotional reading. What is perhaps less known is that lectio divina is an ancient method of Bible reading.
Stephen J. Binz (SSL, Pontifical Biblical Institute, Rome), whose ministry has been focused on teaching Bible how to read the Bible, has now authored a series of books from Brazos called “Ancient-Future Bible Study.” There are six in this series and they are recommended by a wide range of scholars, including David Neff at Christianity Today, J.K.A. Smith of Calvin, Thomas Oden, Marva Dawn, and Patrick Henry Reardon.
Each volume moves through the same process of lectio divina: lectio (reading with a listening ear), meditatio (reflecting on the meaning and message), oratio (praying in response), contemplatio (quietly resting in God), and operatio (faithful witness in daily life).
Women of the Torah:Women of the Torah: Matriarchs and Heroes of Israel (Ancient-Future Bible Study: Experience Scripture through Lectio Divina).
Women of the Gospels: Women of the Gospels: Friends and Disciples of Jesus (Ancient-Future Bible Study: Experience Scripture through Lectio Divina).
These six books were sent to me by Brazos Press. I was not asked to write about the books nor restricted in any way about what to say. [This is the case for less than 50% of the books I review — they are sent to me as Review Copies.]
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