Study is Scriptural, Mysticism is Not
Lectio divina, or “divine reading,” seems at first glance to be a safe and holy practice. The studying of Scripture is indeed important. The Bible itself tells us that knowing God’s Word and obeying it is a crucial part of every Christian’s growth:
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night (Psalm 1:1-2).
How can a young man keep his way pure?
By living according to your word (Psalm 119:9 NIV).
And [Jesus] answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it (Luke 8:21).
However, the way in which lectio divina approaches Scripture can sometimes go beyond hearing or study, and instead focuses on a change of consciousness. Mike Perschon of Youth Specialties says that lectio divina "is the practice of reading scripture slowly in a spirit of contemplation. The goal isn't exegesis or analysis, but allowing God to speak to us through the word."i
Cellofpeace.com, the website for an ecumenical contemplative prayer group in Dallas, compares the four steps of lectio divina to “four levels of consciousness…which introduces you at each new level into a whole new world of reality” that occurs through the four levels of repetitious reading:
2- Meditatio: a moral level of consciousness, ruminating on the Word by repetition, not conscious thinking
3- Oratio: an allegorical level of consciousness which requires a Spiritual level of listening, and response to God in prayer
4- Contemplatio: the Union of Life or unitive level of consciousness, which involves sitting in silence and "simply enjoying the experience of being in God's presence"ii
According to former New Age medium Brian Flynn, some aspects of lectio divina are occult based:
By taking passages of Scripture, which have an intended meaning, and breaking them down into smaller, separate segments, often for the purpose of chanting over and over, the true meaning of the passages are lost. Rather a form of occult mysticism is practiced—with the hope and intention of gaining a mystical experience that God never intended when He gave the inspired words to His servants.iii
Prove All Things
Prayer and Bible reading should go together—they are aspects of our relationship with God. However, we must be careful with practices such as lectio divina, which shows an “astonishing similarity to transcendental meditation and other dangerous rituals.”iv
God’s desire for us is to read His Word alertly and obey it. 1 Thessalonians 5:17-21 tells us to “Quench not the Spirit” and “Despise not prophesyings,” but also to “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” God wants to draw near to us through study and prayer, not an altered consciousness or mystical experience.
[We should use] the Scriptures to pursue the knowledge of God, wisdom, and holiness through the objective meaning of the text with the aim of transforming the mind according to truth. God said His people are destroyed for lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6), not for lack of mystical, personal encounters with Him. v
Ahead to Contemplative Prayer and Meditation
i. Mike Perschon, "Contemplative Prayer Practices," Youth Specialties Blog.
ii. "An Experience of Lectio Divina," cellofpeace.com.
iii. Brian Flynn, "Lectio Divina—Sacred Divination," One Truth Ministries.
iv. "Lectio Divina," gotquestions.org
v. Ibid.
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