Lectio Divina: Is it a False Teaching?
The first time I encountered Lectio Divina as a practice was in Bible college. It was different than anything else I knew or experienced. Perhaps, that’s where you are now. And like, everything that is new and different you suspect and have questions. That is okay.
Lectio Divina is not a false teaching. Lectio Divina is a method of prayerfully reading and meditating on Scripture that encourages communion with God. As such, Lectio Divina does not contradict, add, or take away from any teaching found in God’s word.
There is controversy surrounding the practice of Lectio Divina as a method of experiencing the Bible. And there are dangers to look out for when practicing Lectio Divina, but it can also be a profoundly impactful way of encountering God.
What Is Lectio Divina?
Lectio Divina is an ancient Christian practice of communion with God through a prayerful reading of Scripture. Lectio Divina is Latin for “Prayerful Reading,” “Holy Reading,” or “Divine Reading.” And is a means of experiencing the Bible through reading, meditation, and prayer. It has four steps,
- LECTIO (READING): Typically a person will read a passage of Scripture slowly and attentively multiple times to understand its literal meaning and become familiar with it.
- MEDITATIO (MEDITATION): After reading, the person will reflect upon the passage or a particular verse, phrase, or word that stood out to them, and see how the spiritual principles will apply to their life.
- ORATIO (PRAYER): This step involves responding to Scripture through prayer.
- CONTEMPLATIO (CONTEMPLATION): In this last step a person will simply rest in God’s presence and assurance of His promises.
As you can see these steps are intended to deepen our relationship with God and encourage spiritual growth. If you are interested in knowing more about Lectio Divina and how to practice it, then you should check out this article I wrote that will walk you through Lectio Divina step by step with an example.
Defining a False Teaching
To determine whether or not the practice of Lectio Divina is a false teaching, we must first define what a false teaching is and is not. The website Got Questions defines false doctrines as, “ideas that add to, take away from, contradict, or nullify the teachings given in God’s Word.”
So, a false teaching is anything that minimizes or neglects any teaching found in the Bible. Some examples include,
- Prosperity Gospel
- Word of Faith movement
- Oneness Pentacostalism
- Universalism
- Extra-Biblical Revelations
- Syncretism
- The erasing of Hell
- The idea that there are many paths to God
- Any teaching that redefines Jesus Christ
- etc.
As you can see, false teachings are very serious teachings that are in direct opposition to God’s Revelation and Nature.
Lectio Divina is Not a False Teaching
If the requirement to be a false teaching is something that directly opposes God’s revelation, then Lectio Divina is not a false teaching. Controversial? Sure. But a false teaching meant to undermine the work of the gospel and the teaching of God’s word? No.
That said, that does not mean that there are not dangers associated with Lectio Divina. There most certainly is, and you should want to know more about the dangers of practicing Lectio Divina. But the truth is there are dangers, anytime we pick up the Bible to study it or read it.
The Bible is God’s Holy Word. It’s a means of Him revealing Himself to us. So, how we read, interpret, or apply the Bible matters. Time and time again we see Bible stories and verses that emphasize holding God’s Word in high regard, understanding, and using it in a way that reflects God to those around us.
Lectio Divina, while it may be dangerous, is not a false teaching. It does not seek to add anything to Scripture. Nor does it seek to remove any teaching from Scripture. Rather, it seeks to take Scripture and infuse our whole life with it–our thoughts, mind, actions, and emotions.
Lectio Divina does not contradict anything in Scripture. In fact, it supports teachings found in Scripture to meditate day and night on God’s Word. Ancient Jewish meditation practices involved reading Scripture aloud, talking about it with others, and pondering the mysteries and connections of the Bible.
Lastly, Lectio Divina does not nullify the teachings found in the Bible. In Lectio Divina the teachings of the Bible (and the affect they should have on our lives) can be made clear through the Holy Spirit. The Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit guides us and teaches us the truth. He does so through God’s Word.
So Lectio Divina is not a false doctrine. Rather, it is a simple means of encountering God through a prayerful reading and meditative experience of the Bible. It’s different than a typical Bible study. But it provides value to our Christian faith and walk.
