Implementing Lectio Divina in Spiritual Revitalization of Protestant Pastors in Indonesia

Jaharianson Saragih, Parulihan Sipayung

Abstract


The purpose of this study is to explore and implement the practice of Lectio Divina and analyze its theological and practical implications for the spiritual growth of Lutheran pastors in North Sumatra, Indonesia. We argue that Lectio Divina is effective for enhancing the spirituality of pastors. This research employs a participatory action research design with qualitative orientation and limited quantitative pre-post measurement. There are several things this study aims to accomplish, namely: to explore the early understanding of Lectio Divina, to delve deeper into and to unravel the history of its emergence and development, and the application of this practice in the ecumenical church in the 21st century. This article also explains the four practical steps of the Lectio Divina spiritual formation. The research found that the implementation of Lectio Divina among pastors had a significant impact on their spiritual growth and behavior. Finally, the author proposes the practice of Lectio Divina can be contextually applied in Indonesian Lutheran churches.

Keywords


Bible reading; deep contemplation; patristic; prayer; spiritual formation

Full Text:

PDF

References


Benedict of Nursia. RB 1980: The Rule of St. Benedict in English. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 1982.

Bianchi, Enzo. Praying the Word. An Introduction to Lectio Divina. Kalamazoo, Michigan: Cistercian Publications, 1998.

Binz, Stephen. Lectio Divina Bible Study: Learning to Pray in Scripture. US: Our Sunday Visitor Pub., 2011.

Casey, Michael. “Seven Principles of Lectio Divina.” In The Undivided Heart. Petersham: St. Bede’s Publications, 1994.

Cattoi, Thomas. “Interreligious Lectio Divina: Reflecting on the Transfiguration with Maximos the Confessor and the Bhagavad Gītā.” Teaching Theology & Religion 23, no. 1 (March 1, 2020): 44–48. https://doi.org/10.1111/TETH.12522.

Cunningham, Lawrence, and Keith J. Egan. Christian Spirituality: Themes from the Tradition. New York: Paulist Press, 1996.

Elkins, Kathleen Gallagher. “Using Lectio Divina for Non-Scriptural Texts: A Successful Classroom Teaching Tactic That Other Instructors Can Replicate.” Teaching Theology and Religion 22, no. 2 (April 1, 2019): 128. https://doi.org/10.1111/TETH.12480.

Gray, Timothy. Praying Scripture for a Change: An Introduction to Lectio Divina. US: Ascension Press, 2014.

Guigo II. The Ladder of Monks and Twelve Meditations. Kalamazoo: Cistercian Publications, 1978.

Jackson, John Paul, and John E. Thomas. The Art of Praying the Scriptures: A Fresh Look At Lectio Divina. Texas: Streams Ministries, 2016.

John of the Cross. “The Living Flame of Love 3.28.” In The Collected Works of Saint John of the Cross, translated by Kieran Kavanaugh and Otilio Rodriguez, Rev. Washington, DC: Institute of Carmelite Studies, n.d.

Knowles, David M. “St. Benedict.” In Encyclopedia Britannica, 2022. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Benedict-of-Nursia.

Kopacz, Marek S., Mary S. Adams, and Robert F. Searle. “Lectio Divina: A Preliminary Evaluation of a Chaplaincy Program.” Journal of Health Care Chaplaincy 23, no. 3 (July 3, 2017): 87–97. https://doi.org/10.1080/08854726.2016.1253263.

Leclercq, Jean. The Love of Learning and the Desire for God. A Study of Monastic Culture. London: SPCK, 1978.

Magrassi, Mariano. Praying the Bible: An Introduction to Lectio Divina. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 1998.

McGrath, Alister E. Christian Spirituality: An Introduction. New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, 2013.

OSB, Dom David Foster. “Lectio Divina: Reading in The Rule of St Benedict.” Countertext-A Journal for the Study of the Post-Literary 7, no. 1 (April 28, 2021): 30–45. https://doi.org/10.3366/COUNT.2021.0213.

Pennington, Basil. Lectio Divina: Renewing the Ancient Practice of Praying the Scriptures. New York: Crossroad Publishing, 1998.

Pope Francis. The Joy of the Gospel: Evangelii Gaudium. Washington, DC: Vatican City: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2013.

Robertson, Duncan. Lectio Divina: The Medieval Experience of Reading. Minnesota: Liturgical Press, 2011.

Saragih, Jaharianson, and Andri Vincent Sinaga. “Spiritualitas Dan Karakter Pelayan Yang Ideal Dalam Konteks GKPS.” In Karakter Transformatif. Jogjakarta: KBM, 2024.

Saragih, Jaharianson, and Parulihan Sipayung. “Disiplin Doa Marthin Luther Dan Aktualisasinya Di Tengah-Tengah Gereja Protestant (Lutheran) Di Sumut Saat Ini.” In Hidupku Adalah Ibadah. Pematang Siantar: KN LWF, 2013.

Schneiders, Sandra M. “Approaches to the Study of Christian Spirituality.” In The Blackwell Companion to Christian Spirituality. New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, 2011.

Wilhoit, James C., and Evan B. Howard. Discovering Lectio Divina: Bringing Scripture into Ordinary Life. US: InterVarsity Press, 2012.




DOI: https://doi.org/10.30648/dun.v10i1.1771

Article Metrics

Abstract view : 23 times
PDF - 7 times

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


Copyright (c) 2025 DUNAMIS: Jurnal Teologi dan Pendidikan Kristiani

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Jurnal Dunamis telah terdaftar pada situs:

View My Stats

Online ISSN : 2541-3945

Printed ISSN : 2541-3937

Copyright © Jurnal Dunamis 2016. All Rights Reserved.