Stuck in Stupid Part Four-Lectio Divina-The Pope does not think your stuck in stupid.

I have published many articles on Lectio Divina here because it was introduced into the church I went to be the Emergent junior high pastor.
I have got some replies on how Lectio is harmless and we don't practice it that way.
The church I went to even changed their website which posted Lectio Divina and how to do the ritual.
They merely changed what Lectio was called they how ever did not change the ritual.
This has all now disappeared from the website.
If Lectio Divina is such a good thing at the Sanctum event I attended at First B in Modesto why was a DVD played called Digital Glass in order to "get our minds ready"?
But Im sure if your church does Lectio they don't do it in a bad way.
Lectio Divina is chanting scripture for the purpose of a encounter with Jesus.
You may have an encounter.
It probably will not be with Jesus.
A Emergent junior high youth pastor shared with me why he practiced Lectio Divina.
He told me that we are so busy these days and seldom set aside time for God.
Lectio Divina changed his devotional life he shared with me.
"I can take a 1/2 hour or hour out of my busy day and go out into a park and have a encounter with Jesus."
(Picture church ladies voice here) -Now isn't that convenient!
We can take a little time, chant some scripture, and have a full borne encounter with Jesus.
Wow.
Gosh.
Gee.
It's cool that God will meet with us when we decide.
Umm but what about praying withour ceasing? 1Thess 5:17
Does God show up at our beckon call?
Do we honor God by letting Him have a little of our time?




Lectio Divina is a ritual thought up by Catholic monks who were influenced by Hindus and Buddhist practices.
The ancient one like St Anthony and modern ones like Thomas Merton both had the same influence and it was not scripturally based but rather influenced by eastern religion.
But it sounds harmless doesn't it?
One form of it (and there are many) proclaim it is a way of praying the Bible.
Sounds good doesn't it?
I challenge you to find this practice encouraged in the Bible.
I did a topic search on Bible Gateway on prayer and praying.
Came up with 103 topics on prayer and praying.
Not one encouraged or even remotely suggested to pray the Bible.
Did a word search on Bible Gateway.
Prayer-128 times mentioned .
Praying-20 times mentioned praying the Bible and or scriptures not mentioned once.
I checked the Greek and Hebrew in Vines on prayer and praying and could not find one verse that even closely suggests praying the Bible.
It sounds more like what Word Faith folks do when they tell you to speak the word over someone or speak the word to get what you want.
Which turns reduces the Bible to some sort of magic book where your words have power if you speak them out loud.
Making you god.
HMNN sounds like occult witchcraft to me.

But then you can take the stance Ted Haggard takes
Quote from Christianity Today page 44 Ted states "Think big. Think about the whole world. The Bible does not tell you everything you need to know." end quote.

Or you can hop on the train with Pope Benedict XVI who stated on Sept 16 2005
"In this context, I would like in particular to recall and recommend the ancient tradition of "Lectio divina": "the diligent reading of Sacred Scripture accompanied by prayer brings about that intimate dialogue in which the person reading hears God who is speaking, and in praying, responds to him with trusting openness of heart" (cf. "Dei Verbum," n. 25). If it is effectively promoted, this practice will bring to the Church -- I am convinced of it -- a new spiritual springtime."
Here is the link to that speech
http://www.crossroadsinitiative.com/library_article/799/Dei_Verbum_and_Lectio_Divina_Benedict_XVI.html

I am conviced however that the new spiritual springtime that the pope is speaking of will be the entrance of a New Age all religion encompassing religion.
And he you had better get a clue who will be running this religion.
Just a hint.
It will not be Jesus.
So hey are you Stuck in Stupid if you practice Lectio Divina.
The pope doesn't think so.

2 Thess 2:10-11
"10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie,

Here is a link to a newsletter that can really help you not to be stuck on stupid and understand what Lectio and other new age/contemplative rituals may be coming to your church.
http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/newsletterjanfeb06.htm