My First Experience With Lectio Divina

Ferrin’s process of inductive Bible study takes on a relational approach that consists of three essential parts or phases titled Foundation, Framing, and Finish Work. The structured methods encompass studying a book of the Bible and internalizing it rather than just memorizing the words (p. 3). The author diligently explains how that through the devoted application of all phases individuals and group Bible study participants are sure to “fall in love with God’s Word” (p. 3). Ferrin presents and or describes Scripture internalization as taking in the truth and then applying it to everyday life or living. Ferrin pointed out that the benefits of understanding biblical messages book by book include the Living Word of God becoming a reality within persons that grow more enjoyable and rewarding as time comes and goes.

Ryrie has organized his book clearly with various sections in bold letters. He utilized some diagrams for the reader to better teach on the Holy Spirit. These organizational methods helps the reader to better understand the points that Ryrie is trying to get across about the Holy Spirit. The book includes discussion on who the Holy Spirit is. It focuses on the Holy Spirit’s part in creation, revelation, and inspiration. The book focuses on the Holy Spirit of both the Old and the New Testaments. It covers grace, gifts, and the activities of the Holy Spirit. It covers the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the future and concludes with the history of the Doctrine of

The book was very well put together with principal concepts, but it was not always easy to follow and some sections had to be read twice for clear comprehension. The message could have been portrayed using straightforward writing that would enable undergraduates and others that are not seeking higher levels of education to process the information. In simpler terms, this book can be essential to pastors, for personal relationships, and other professions if the language is simplified and made more user-friendly.

In “Scripture: Nourished by the Word (Catholic Basics: A Pastoral Ministry Series)” Ralph (2001) emphasises the importance of a contextualist approach when reading scripture. Firstly, this essay will discuss Ralph’s statement and outline the difference between a fundamental and contextual approach towards reading the Bible. Secondly, these different approaches will be demonstrated on three different examples: the Genesis’ creation accounts, the stories of miracles in the Gospel writings, and Jesus’ words towards his mother Mary just before his crucifixion. Finally, a conclusion is drawn on how a contextualist approach assists in gaining a better understanding of God.

I have read various books on Theological Hermeneutics, and one, whose title has slipped my mind, had once suggested the Hermeneutics isn’t only about picking up the Bible, analyzing it, and putting it back down, but also making an application through it. So, in this paper I have followed such a suggestion. First I will mention the background of the book being hermeneutically analyzed. This answers many of the questions needed to contextualize the book into its original socio-cultural setting for better understanding. Secondly, I will do an exegesis, or commentary, on the verses of the book to explain the interpretation that I had gotten out of it. This is done in

I prayed to go to sleep, so I didn’t have to keep thinking about it.

The Bible and its text is trustworthy and reliable to its fullest, but on this journey in seeking the word of God can using it in how daily life is where arises an important question; How now is to understand the idea of the ‘Word of God” and its implications for how Christian theology is to be done. Karl Barth (1886-1968) a Swiss Protestant theologian who is one of the most substantial and influential recent works of Christian Theology in the twentieth century. In this text analysis of one of Barth teaching he breaks down in explaining what he means by “reflection” on the Word of God. Barth first address this three part: “the Word of God in a First Address in which God himself and God alone is the speaker, in a second address in which the

In Shaped by the Word, by Robert Mulholland Jr., one finds a way to read scripture in order to provide a deeper understanding of God and allow His Word to shape one’s spiritual life. In the Introduction, in chapter 1, the reader is introduced to the idea that there is a movement in the church that seeks to become deeper and stricter in spiritual formation. He claims there are many books written for this purpose, and his intending purpose for this book is for God to use however he may want in the reader’s spiritual life. Mulholland provides the reader with a prayer to pray in preparation of reading this book and states there may be points where God is knocking and calling the reader’s attention to something new.

In (Matthew 6:6 NIV), Jesus explains the merits of praying to the lord God and the reward of inner peace, “But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret: and your father who sees in secret will reward you.” It is through this conversation with God that Christians pursue peace in their lives. Prayer can either be private or communal, spontaneous prayer is one way that charismatic communities can come closer to God. The act of prayer allows believers to have a personal conversation with God; it alleviates stress attributed to the monotony of everyday life. Besides prayer, meditation is another way of attaining inner peace, it is an ancient practice within the Christian tradition, which has undertaken a recent revival, a global group that reaffirms the concept of praying and meditating for inner peace is Taizé. Not as popular as prayer and meditation, Lectio Divina, generally known as bible studies is a way for Christians to feel connected to God and to finally attain inner peace. The studying of the sacred scriptures on a day to day basis and reflecting on prayers also maintain a continual connection with God. It is vital to maintain equilibrium between prayer and service, whereby an individual fathoms the notion ‘ora et labora’, in order to equally partake in both prayer, and the concept of action whereby ora develops inner peace, which is mirrored through the

In the study of Christian theology, scripture plays an essential role in the revelation of the Doctrine of God. Scriptures are “God-breathed” (2 Timothy 3:16-17) words, written by the Holy Spirit through divine inspiration of prophets. They are necessary for the proper understanding of the doctrine of God, the self-revelation of God, the proof of God’s existence, and for the discernment of false doctrines.

Under resources, Green states that theological disciplines must be put back together. This would include seminary curricula and the “practices of Christian formation such as corporate worship, instruction, prayer and hospitality” (63). To help with the task of putting these disciplines back together Green points to some needed resources (65). First, reading Scripture must be ecclesially located. “For those seriously interested, an important practice is to cultivate interpreting Scripture with others who share the posture of standing under” (66). Standing under implies that the bible based material need their origin and structuring inside the community of God’s people (66). Second, reading Scripture must be theologically shaped in making sure that the old Testament and New Testament interpretation is incomprehensible without each other (79). Thirdly, reading Scripture must be seriously involved in discerning the varieties of possible readings of other biblical texts (89). Lastly, reading Scripture must be Spirit filled. “To invite the Holy Spirit into the interpretive process is to deny our autonomy as readers of

To truly comprehend a biblical passage, it is important to have knowledge of the ‘hermeneutics which enables an understanding of the locus of meaning and the principles of bible interpretation’ . The audience needs to have a clear interpretation of the biblical passage which includes ‘content and unity of the whole of Scripture if the meaning of the sacred texts is to be correctly worked out’ , this supports the argument that all worlds of the text are equally important. ‘Biblical passages are often taken out of context and interpreted to support a particular viewpoint of justify a particular action’ . It is imperative to note that ‘in order to discover the sacred authors' intention, the reader must take into account the conditions of their

As someone who has always wanted to understand the Bible better and use scriptures within proper context, the last six months has really helped me to understand context; how to determine it, and how to apply it properly. Another important aspect I have learned, specifically via THEO 104, is defense of the reliability of scripture. Approximately 5000 Greek manuscripts exist, along with an additional 13,000 copies of portions of the New Testament, which stands in stark contrast to no other major historical writing has more than 200 manuscripts available, and most have less than a dozen; biblical scholars have determined that these manuscripts were copied with at least 95% accuracy (Towns, E., 2002). I now understand more fully what salvation is and what it entails. Rather than just saying something to the effect of “Salvation is forgiveness of sin and the path to eternal life,” I can discuss the faith experience, regeneration, and life-transformation more in depth, with more accuracy. With all that I have learned, it is quite impossible to narrow that education down specifically to one area in which I have acquired knowledge. Overall, I am in awe at how my eyes have been opened wider, and how my spirit has been spoken to. My worldview has not changed, it has expanded to include deeper truths and more accurate

The first text we explore in this step is Bonaventure’s “On Seeing God in his Image”. Bonaventure shows us that through inward reflection we can see God. God can then lead us to God’s two most important laws, and the best ways for us to live in community with others; by loving God, and our neighbors.

This is a summary of a No Travel Seminar on a Study of the Gospel of Matthew. The seminar was lead by Dr. John Dunaway who is a professor at NTS and has served as a pastor for over 50 years. After his brief self-introduction, he began his presentation with an overview of the Gospel of Matthew, followed by a more elaborated narrative summarizing the gospel, and he finished with brief closing remarks. Throughout this enthusiastic presentation, Dr. Dunaway made reference to remarks by multiple prominent commentators, which added substance to his narrative, even though none were explicitly stated upfront.