Discovering Lectio Divina: Bringing Scripture into Ordinary Life

James Wilhoit is Scripture Press Professor of Christian Education at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois. He is the author of Spiritual Formation as if the Church Mattered, coeditor of the Dictionary of Biblical Imagery (IVP Academic) and coauthor, with Leland Ryken, of Effective Bible Teaching.

Evan Howard is director of the Spirituality Shoppe: An Evangelical Center for the Study of Christian Spirituality, based in Montrose, Colorado. He has served as a pastor and has taught in various colleges and seminaries. He is also the author of The Brazos Introduction to Christian Spirituality and Praying the Scriptures: A Field Guide for Your Spiritual Journey.

The authors befriend the Word in such a way that we become better friends of God and more committed members of our faith community. With the help of grace, they convince us that we may be granted as the fruit of such reading a life of active contemplation and contemplative action, moving from lectio to conversio, that is, the conversion of mind and heart to Christ.
-Susan Muto,
Ph.D., dean, Epiphany Academy of Formative Spirituality and author of A Practical Guide to Spiritual Reading

Evan Howard and Jim Wilhoit not only give us a manual for lectio divina but, more importantly, offer us a practical spirituality of the Word, steeped in the tradition of our ancestors. By reminding us of Martin Luther's understanding of theology as living Scripture in the midst of our difficulties, they challenge us to give birth to the Word we read and pray. This is the fundamental task of Christian spiritual formation.
-Albert Haase, O.F.M.,
author of Athanasius: The Life of Antony of Egypt, a Paraphrase

A most welcome and welcoming book! Wilhoit and Howard, like trustworthy spiritual directors, invite readers to feast in the house of prayer, in which, they tell us, lectio divina resides. As we read, Jesus’ disciples, early desert followers of Christ, Reformers, scholars, monks and ordinary Christians join us at the table of God's penetrating, sanctifying Word. Wise and nourishing, Discovering Lectio Divina is for all who seek to grow in faith.
-Susan S. Phillips,
Ph.D, professor of Christian spirituality, New College Berkeley, and author of Candlelight: Illuminating the Art of Spiritual Direction

"I have read several books on Lectio Divina, and this is by far the best one yet."

Leslie Ann McKinney, Africanus Journal, April 2013

"In this helpful, practical book, the authors introduce you to lectio divina, a way of approaching Scripture that draws you to God by helping you encounter him and hear him speak to you in life-transforming ways. Their simple, easy-to-follow explanation of this ancient practice provides a perfect foundation for you to begin meeting God in his Word as you read, meditate, pray, and contemplate. Discover a new experience of God?s Word?one that leads you to experience more of God himself."

Significant Living, November 2012

"Evan Howard and Jim Wilhoit not only give us a manual for lectio divina but, more importantly, offer us a practical spirituality of the Word, steeped in the tradition of our ancestors. By reminding us of Martin Luther's understanding of theology as living Scripture in the midst of our difficulties, they challenge us to give birth to the Word we read and pray. This is the fundamental task of Christian spiritual formation."

Albert Haase, O.F.M., author of Athanasius: The Life of Antony of Egypt, a Paraphrase

"A most welcome and welcoming book! Wilhoit and Howard, like trustworthy spiritual directors, invite readers to feast in the house of prayer, in which, they tell us, lectio divina resides. As we read, Jesus? disciples, early desert followers of Christ, Reformers, scholars, monks and ordinary Christians join us at the table of God's penetrating, sanctifying Word. Wise and nourishing, Discovering Lectio Divina is for all who seek to grow in faith."

Susan S. Phillips,Ph.D, professor of Christian spirituality, New College Berkeley, and author of Candlelight: Illuminating the Art of Spiritual Direction

"The authors befriend the Word in such a way that we become better friends of God and more committed members of our faith community. With the help of grace, they convince us that we may be granted as the fruit of such reading a life of active contemplation and contemplative action, moving from lectio to conversio, that is, the conversion of mind and heart to Christ."

Susan Muto, Ph.D., dean, Epiphany Academy of Formative Spirituality and author of A Practical Guideto Spiritual Reading