“Lectio Divina”- a resurrection of the past in the LC?

[The Researcher]

Hello all,

I watched the videos on this channel, and I wanted to ask if those of you that have been a members of this movement, could comment or relate to the “Lectio Divina” methods that are being resurrected from the centuries past as a way to read and pray. It was very popular Catholic or traditional monastic system used in Middle Ages, and probably still is used in some orders of the RCC and EOC. It’s becoming more popular with the many emerging church groups. Just interested to see if any find any correlation.

I’ll leave couple links below to read about it if you are not familiar.

https://www.gotquestions.org/lectio-divina.html

https://sheepyweepy.wordpress.com/2008/05/28/lectio-divina-leading-sheep-to-a-new-level-of-consciousness/

[Nell]

Hello all,

I watched the videos on this channel, and I wanted to ask if those of you that have been a members of this movement, could comment or relate to the “Lectio Divina” methods that are being resurrected from the centuries past as a way to read and pray. It was very popular Catholic or traditional monastic system used in Middle Ages, and probably still is used in some orders of the RCC and EOC. It’s becoming more popular with the many emerging church groups. Just interested to see if any find any correlation.

I’ll leave couple links below to read about it if you are not familiar.

https://www.gotquestions.org/lectio-divina.html

https://sheepyweepy.wordpress.com/2008/05/28/lectio-divina-leading-sheep-to-a-new-level-of-consciousness/

Hi Researcher,

Briefly, the Local Church is a personality cult with Witness Lee (deceased) as the star of the show. He instigated a lot of practices which are authoritarian, controlling, and spiritually abusive toward the membership. After his death in 1998, a group of men, self-called the “blended brothers”, took control, literally.

As for: Lectio Divina is derived from a Latin word that means “holy reading.” It is an ancient method of slowly reading the scriptures in a repetitive fashion in order to encounter the presence of God.

Lee instituted the practice in the church meetings of “pray reading” which sounds a bit similar, except Lee’s version is not slow. It’s loud and boisterous and often somewhat fast paced. This is their evidence of God’s “life” being expressed in the meetings.

”In order to practice lectio divina, select a time and place that is peaceful and in which you may be alert and prayerfully attentive. Dispose yourself for prayer in whatever way is natural for you. This may be a spoken prayer to God to open you more fully to the Spirit, a gentle relaxation process that focuses on breathing, singing or chanting, or simply a few minutes of silence to empty yourself of thoughts, images, and emotions.
Not really.

Reading (lectio) – Slowly begin reading a biblical passage as if it were a long awaited love letter addressed to you. Approach it reverentially and expectantly, in a way that savors each word and phrase. Read the passage until you hear a word or phrase that touches you, resonates, attracts or even disturbs you.

Reflecting (meditatio) – Ponder this word or phrase for a few minutes. Let it sink in slowly and deeply until you are resting in it. Listen for what the word or phrase is saying to you at this moment in your life, what it may be offering to you, what it may be demanding of you.

Expressing (oratio) – When you feel ready, openly and honestly express to God the prayers that arise spontaneously within you from your experience of this word or phrase. These may be prayers of thanksgiving, petition, intercession, lament, or praise.”

So long story short, these 4 points don’t exist in the tenets of the LC of WLee and are not likely to creep in. The LC is all about Lee and control. I realize there’s more to lectio divina…

Others may add to (or take away!) from my opinion. But note, in the LC we were not allowed to have our own opinion…and so much more. Like I said, it’s a cult.

What is your research interest?

Nell