We certainly need to read the Bible for personal and lofty reasons, in search of spiritual formation. As with textual interests, there are methods that are applied to the self.[1]   Back in post #4, I introduced a table of "methods." Now, we'll expand and revise that table. These methods, when applied to the self, are not normally called methods; they're usually called spiritual disciplines. Frankly, disciplines is a stellar designation that can now replace the word methods for both sides of our spectrum.

Contemplative Disciplines

These are disciplines of prayer, fasting, devotion, meditation, and spiritual Bible reading (e.g., Lectio Divina[2])—or even learning NT Greek as a spiritual discipline.[3] I have no intent, here, to describe or demonstrate these disciplines; rather, my aim is to present them together as a general class of methods that have contemplative or introspective spiritual goals. Most originated centuries ago, and they have received a great deal of valuable attention to this very day.[4]

The Highs

These disciplines can produce highly satisfying results—from the mildly encouraging to the sublime or breathtaking. They can bring us close to that magnificent verse:

And the LORD used to speak to Moses “face to face,” just like one might speak with a close friend.
(Ex 33:11)

So then, as to the place and value of contemplative disciplines, we must recognize that these are all specific methods of reading. This may seem like an obvious point, but some people act (or outright claim) that these are anti-methods—written by the finger of God and now floating through the spiritual realms. But these are methods—disciplines—developed by and for human introspection.

Clearly, there is tremendous, even life-giving value when approaching anything so introspectively: how may God be found in a night sky, a spider web, a sunset, a poem, a song, an experience, a book, a verse from the Koran—even a biblical text! I might be moved deeply by all of these, exclaiming earnestly, "Oh, how I am calmed, or invigorated, or convicted, or challenged!” I might gain great personal insight in these ways, or find peace on any number of levels.

Contemplative disciplines, when properly pursued,  can be incredibly beneficial for the self.

The Lows

But just like with textual approaches, the tail can wag the dog here as well. Approached irresponsibly, they can devolve into self-centered, ego-centric, and narcissistic Bible reading where the Spirit of God gets blamed for every personal whim. The more biblical texts are used in ways not intended by their authors, the easier it gets to twist and abuse those texts.

One woman inadvertently brought this clearly into view for me when she said: 

I don’t really want to read the Bible for what it might have meant; and I don’t want to study it and get all technical. I just want to read it for what it means to me now!

Clear warnings against this kind of selfish and self-centered Bible reading occur within biblical texts themselves, as when Jesus condemns the Pharisees for placing well-intended tradition about marriage and purity above what God intended with the law from the beginning (Matthew 5, 15, 19). Despite what many think, this is not so much about legalism as about self-centered (instead of God-centered) readings of the scriptures (as found in Deuteronomy 24). Even with good wishes, it is always possible to pervert the intentions of biblical texts into something we think we need now.

I have even heard some people say things like, “The Spirit of God shows me what I need to know now, no matter what Paul said!” Ok then, I get to play too: the Spirit of God is telling me now that this is an irresponsible way to read the Bible, and that it does not come from the Spirit!

In the next post, I'll look I'll ask how biblical texts are written for the sake of people, and I'll look at what contemplative disciplines are not, and what they cannot do. 

__________________________

[1] I speak of “the self” or “our self” as used in psychology. See Baker 2020.

[2] Lectio Divina is an emphasis growing out of monasteries on the prayerful reading of the Bible especially designed to promote communion with God.

[3] I’ve written about this at length already in Collier 2019, especially chapter 2.

[4] See short bibliography in Collier 2019, 123; or look up “Spiritual Formation” in Wikipedia for a reasonably good basic introduction.

_______________________

Click Here for the whole blog series:  Power-Reading the Bible 
 

_______________________

(If you'd like to respond to this post or send a message to me, see the "Contact Us" box in the right column.)
(Click "Blog HOME" in right column to see main blog list.)