Lectio Divina: It’s Origins and Theology
What’s in a Bible study method? I mean other than the process. How can we know it’s goals and theological leanings? By looking at the history of that Bible study method. So, we can discover more about the theology of Lectio Divina by looking at its origins.
The practice of Lectio Divina has strong roots in Catholic Theology. Origen, an early Church Father was the first to write about Lectio Divina. The practice found its way into monasteries by the Middle Ages, and has seen a revival in recent centuries.
The theological background of a particular Bible study method can shed light on the goals of that method. By looking at the history of Lectio Divina we can better understand the theology behind it.
The Origins of Lectio Divina
The early church father, Origen was the first to write about the ideas and practice of Lectio Divina. Origen was born in 185 AD, and ministered during the years 200-254 AD.
Origen is considered one of the most influential scholars in early Christian thought. His biblical scholarship analyzed Scripture on three levels: literal, moral, and allegorical. He wrote numerous works that influenced early Christian thought in areas of Biblical interpretation, spiritual growth, and apologetics.
That said, his preferred method of interpreting Scripture (through an allegorical approach) often led him into controversy. As such, he developed some questionable theology and began to believe and teach ideas like the preexistence of souls and a version of reincarnation.
This eventually led the Council of Constantinople to pronounce him a heretic in 553 AD. Despite the controversy around him, Origen emphasized reading the Scripture with an emphasis on spiritual growth and transformation. It was this that played a role in the foundation of Lectio Divina.
Monks and Lectio Divina
Later, in the sixth century, St. Benedict incorporated Lectio Divina in his monastic order. Benedict wrote, “Idleness is the enemy of the soul. Therefore, the brethren should have specified periods of manual labor as well as for prayerful reading [lectio divina].”
At this time, Lectio Divina became a part of daily monastery life. It was viewed as a slow and thoughtful reading of Scripture. Lectio Divina became a way of meditating and connecting with God throughout the day.
Lectio Divina, as we understand it today, that is, a progression from reading to meditating to prayer and rest, did not take shape until the 12th century with the help of Guigo II. Guigo II was a Carthusian monk who crafted this structure for Lectio Divina in his book The Ladder of Paradise.
The Revival of Lectio Divina
Lectio Divina remained a practice in Catholic monasteries, while the rest of the world took a historical critical approach to analyzing the Bible in the 18th and 19th centuries. It was revived as a a practice for those outside of monasteries in large part due to Vatican II in 1965.
Pope Benedict XVI would reaffirm the importance of Lectio Divina as a spiritual practice 40 years later in 2005 encouraging people to practice a prayerful reading of Scripture that leads to hearing from God and responding in trust and an open heart.
Pope Benedict XVI recommended Lectio Divina be practiced this way,
“The ancient practice of Lectio Divina or ‘spiritual reading’ of Sacred Scripture consists in pouring over a biblical text for some time, reading it and rereading it, and squeezing from it, so to speak, all its ‘juice’, so that it may nourish meditation and contemplation and, like water, succeed in irrigating life itself.””
Pope Benedict XVI
The Theology of Lectio Divina
Lectio Divina is a contemplative practice of prayerful reading and meditating on Scripture. As such, it is guided by certain theological principles and perspectives. These theological principles and perspectives include:
- Divine Revelation: Lectio Divina values Scripture as God’s Word. God speaks to us through His word. When practicing Lectio Divina we approach Scripture with the expectation of encountering God and hearing His word.
- Prayer and Meditation: Lectio Divina involves a process of reading, meditating, praying, and resting in God’s Word. As such, it seeks to foster a dialogue with God through the reading of His Word. The importance and value of prayer is key in the theology and practice of Lectio Divina.
- Listening to God: Lectio Divina operates with the theological understanding that God still speaks today. God speaks to us through the Bible. And we can find guidance and wisdom in the Bible by allowing God to use it to speak to our hearts.
- Silence and Stillness: Lectio Divina will often conclude with a time of silence and stillness while resting in God’s presence. This reflects the theological understanding that we are called to “Be still and know God.”
As a whole, Lectio Divina is a contemplative practice deeply rooted in Christian thought and Catholic theology. It places emphasis on experiencing God through the Bible, spiritual transformation and fostering a deeper relationship with God.
Curious to see what Protestants have to say about the practice of Lectio Divina? Then you should check out this article that will discuss protestant thoughts on the matter and how Lectio Divina can be a beneficial practice no matter your theological leanings.
