Good morning, All.

I’d like to propose two complementary methods for reading (or ‘interpreting’ if you prefer) the Bible that are rich in historical precedent, and which reduce the chances of Scripture-twisting after the fashion of garden variety Revivalism. Note particularly that I mentioned ‘complementary’ and ‘historical’. They are complementary in that when properly applied both the intellectual and spiritual spheres are nurtured. They are historical insofar that the Apostles and their associates used both methods when interpreting the Old Testament as they wrote the New, and both methods were explicitly discussed in post-apostolic writings from the late second century onwards. ‘Nuff said 'bout that.

The twin methods are commonly known by their Latin names: Lectio Studia (‘studious reading’), and Lectio Divina (‘spiritual reading’). Critically both methods are circular, in that they begin and end in worship—that is, they are each book-ended by prayer.

The aim of Lectio Studia is to understand the text on its own terms, and as such, is principally intellectual—it requires more in the way of ‘perspiration’ than it does ‘inspiration’. The primary aim of Lectio Divina on the other hand, is to apprehend the biblical text as it applies to the individual reading it, hence the inspirational nature of the method. Both are critical if one is to balance ‘head’ with ‘heart’ (see, for example, Matthew 22:37), and should be approached sequentially in order to minimize the potential for intrusive bias.

Lectio Studia requires a pen-and-paper (or digital equivalents). The method utilizes the five well known journalistic questions of ‘who?’, ‘what?, ‘when?’, ‘where?’, and ‘why?’ (also, when appropriate, ‘how?’).  It seeks to understand the message the human author was trying to get across to his or her readers, and so properly considers context (e.g. literary, historical, cultural, linguistic, geographical, religious, etc.). The primary aim is to understand the SENSE of the text, or if you prefer, what it MEANT. Consequently, a range of study aids are decidedly useful: different translations, Bible dictionaries/encyclopedia, concordances, commentaries, lexica, etc. The process itself engages the first four 'R's:

(Prayer) read, research, review, rest (prayer).

Lectio Divina requires considered spiritual preparation. It seeks to understand the mind of the triune God as he guided his human amenuenses, and so the primary aim is to understand the SIGNIFICANCE of the text, or if you prefer, what it MEANS. Having undertaken the first step of Lectio Studia, the Holy Spirit has quite a bit to work with as he gently leads the reader into grasping the spiritual riches of the Bible text under review. The process engages the next four 'R's:

(Prayer) read, reflect, respond, rest (prayer).

I’ve sought to model this approach to Bible study in every church in which I’ve been a part. It can be applied individually and corporately (both in small groups, and the church gathered), and is useful in gaining the most from the Sunday sermon. For example, let’s assume Matthew chapter five is the preaching text next Sunday. And for the sake of the exercise, let’s assume small groups are held mid-week. On Monday I would set aside about ninety minutes to engage in Lectio Studia of our passage in my home office, surrounded by my tools. On Tuesday, I would set aside another ninety minutes or so, to be spent in my comfortable chair engaging in Lectio Divina. At the Wednesday small group meeting, I’d meet with my friends who had followed the same practice themselves in the two days’ prior. We’d discuss what we’d each learned in our study of the text, and then we’d share what we believed God’s Spirit had opened to each of us individually. On the Thursday, being informed by what my friends had shared the previous evening, I’d review the passage again in my study. On the Friday, in my comfortable chair once more, I’d ponder the meaning afresh. Come the Sunday, with mind sharpened and heart softened, I’d be fully primed to receive the preacher’s message in all its glory. But, of course, heaven help them if they hadn’t put in the required effort!

I’ve been using this very same Bible reading process for decades, and so can attest that it works. It isn’t for the lazy in that it requires commitment; it requires effort. But the benefits in generating a holistic understanding of Scripture can be profound.

Blessings,

Ian