David Foster is a Benedictine Monk of Downside Abbey and chaplain to Downside School. He has always been concerned to bring the riches of the monastic tradition to lay people as they struggle to live the Christian life in the modern world. Lectio Divina or the art of spiritual reading is an art which is all but lost outside monastic communities. But following St Benedict's opening command in his Rule to 'listen', attending to the word of God through the printed text is an art which needs to be rediscovered in a world in which we are surrounded by a cacophony of sound and noise. David Foster has written a masterly guide to this art.
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Quotes from author about title, in The Tablet, 18 Feb 2006--, "The American Spectator "
About the Author
Dom David Foster OSB is a Monk of Downside Abbey. He was the editor and compiler of The Catholic Prayer Book from Downside Abbey.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
210 of 212 people found the following review helpful
By M. Howard
Format:Paperback
I never thought that monastaries held anything relevant for the modern spiritual life, yet David Foster proved me wrong.
In an engaging written style that does not assume you are an oxford university professor, Foster brings to the reader a precious spiritual discipline that has helped me draw closer to God.
He explains, in essence, that reading the Bible should not be the same process as reading any other book. The Bible is God's letter to us, and can therefore bring deep change in our hearts and lives. Lectio Divina is an ancient practice still used in monastries today. Basically, it is 'reading with God'; you let God talk to you through scripture, and then you talk back.
It isn't some strange, mystical practice that we should be weary of. In fact, its something that you begin to hope will be used more widely in the church. It can be done by anyone in any place. All you need is a bible.
This book is a solid introduction to lection divina and is really all you need in order to learn how to do it.
In an engaging written style that does not assume you are an oxford university professor, Foster brings to the reader a precious spiritual discipline that has helped me draw closer to God.
He explains, in essence, that reading the Bible should not be the same process as reading any other book. The Bible is God's letter to us, and can therefore bring deep change in our hearts and lives. Lectio Divina is an ancient practice still used in monastries today. Basically, it is 'reading with God'; you let God talk to you through scripture, and then you talk back.
It isn't some strange, mystical practice that we should be weary of. In fact, its something that you begin to hope will be used more widely in the church. It can be done by anyone in any place. All you need is a bible.
This book is a solid introduction to lection divina and is really all you need in order to learn how to do it.
26 of 26 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
It might be strange for someone like me to read and find this book helpful. I'm not especially religious and had never heard of Lectio Divina until recently.
I wanted to read the Bible, as a cultural reference as much as a religious guide. I found it very hard going in places, both factually and morally, and I struggled to understand how much of it could be viewed as a guide to living a good and proper life. I tried Bible study guides and founf them largely useless because for me they were very restrictive: they told me what to read and what to think about it.
But then I came across Reading with God completely by accident when a friend of mine left a copy lying around. I read a few pages and realised it could help so I bought a copy and it is very helpful indeed. It explains Lectio Divina very clearly and simply, what it is and how to practise it, what the difficulties and benefits are. The most important feature of the process for me being that Lectio Divina doesn't tell you what to think. It gives you the freedom to contemplate and reach your own conclusions.
Reading the Bible in this way has transformed, at least for me, a difficult process into something that is genuinely interesting and uplifting. As I said at the beginning, I'm not especially religious but I do now understand and appreciate the wisdom contained in the Bible much better than I did before, and much more than any study guides have been able to do.
I'd like to think this book will become much more popular with Bible readers, and to be honest, although Lectio Divina is obviously a practice designed for Christian reflection, there is no practical reason why the same idea can't be applied to any text requiring contemplation and reflection.
I wanted to read the Bible, as a cultural reference as much as a religious guide. I found it very hard going in places, both factually and morally, and I struggled to understand how much of it could be viewed as a guide to living a good and proper life. I tried Bible study guides and founf them largely useless because for me they were very restrictive: they told me what to read and what to think about it.
But then I came across Reading with God completely by accident when a friend of mine left a copy lying around. I read a few pages and realised it could help so I bought a copy and it is very helpful indeed. It explains Lectio Divina very clearly and simply, what it is and how to practise it, what the difficulties and benefits are. The most important feature of the process for me being that Lectio Divina doesn't tell you what to think. It gives you the freedom to contemplate and reach your own conclusions.
Reading the Bible in this way has transformed, at least for me, a difficult process into something that is genuinely interesting and uplifting. As I said at the beginning, I'm not especially religious but I do now understand and appreciate the wisdom contained in the Bible much better than I did before, and much more than any study guides have been able to do.
I'd like to think this book will become much more popular with Bible readers, and to be honest, although Lectio Divina is obviously a practice designed for Christian reflection, there is no practical reason why the same idea can't be applied to any text requiring contemplation and reflection.
43 of 44 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Reading with God is a brilliant book for those who have never done Lectio Divina before and want to start. Rather than just attempting to describe Lectio Divina it actually takes you through the motions giving you a helping hand with extracts of scripture. Step by step Dom David walks with you and how the meditation on scripture can deepen our faith and appreciation and understanding of scripture. Dom David is a very kind and gentle man in person and it is reflected in this fantastic book. Can't recommend it more!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
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Lectio Divina
Excellent book - of the 'can't put it down' genre. I really find (as I'm still reading it) that it's leading me to new insights.
Published 8 days ago by Martin Simister
5.0 out of 5 stars
Read by an Evangelical. Reading with God: Lectio Divina
An excellent book well worth reading, even if you are not in the catholic tradition. If you want to know God's guidance, intent and heart towards you, then this type of meditation... Read more
Published 20 months ago by M. G. Down
4.0 out of 5 stars
Example driven discussion of the practice
The pratice of lectio divina consists of four parts: lectio, the initial reading (which may involve reading aloud, copying the text, reading the same passage again and again and so... Read more
Published on 1 May 2011 by E. L. Wisty
5.0 out of 5 stars
A wonderful book
The Bible is inspired by God and so is Dom David's Book. He shows us how the Bible can be read simply and how to find and respond to God. Read more
Published on 25 Dec 2010 by Andy Bugden
5.0 out of 5 stars
Reading the bible
Every wanted to read the bible but weren't sure how to do it? This is an excellent and easy to read book which helps you appreciate the bible more fully. Read more
Published on 8 Jun 2010 by Ian, London
5.0 out of 5 stars
walking with God
I bought this book on recommendation. I have not finished it yet, but if you are interested in having a closer relationship with God, this is a great book. Read more
Published on 3 Jun 2010 by M. Bairsto
5.0 out of 5 stars
building my faith
This book is so useful in improving my faith that I have bought a copy for a friend.
Published on 4 Jan 2010 by B. Taylor
5.0 out of 5 stars
Really very helpful.
Reading with God is a super really helpful book. The author explains in simple and effective ways the way of praying through Reading With God. Read more
Published on 22 July 2008 by "Smith" Reader
5.0 out of 5 stars
WOW
Having had the rare chance to spend some time at Downside Abbey and with Dom David Foster. I find this book refeshing in this now socitey.
Published on 1 Jun 2007 by Ed sheara
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