Stephen J. Binz

Bestselling author and biblical scholar Stephen J. Binz presents the first book to combine the ancient Western practice of lectio divina (sacred reading) with the lesser-known Eastern Orthodox tradition of visio divina (sacred seeing). Binz offers a life-changing way to pray through twenty gospel readings paired with beautiful, never-before-published contemporary icons.St. Benedict urged his followers to listen to God's Word "with the ear of the heart." Eastern Orthodox spiritual writers focused on gazing at icons, as St. Paul said, with "the eyes of the heart." Popular speaker and retreat leader Stephen J. Binz draws on the richness of both traditions by combining lectio and visio divina.Contemplation is more difficult than ever during this digital age and Binz offers a proven and profound way to cut through the noise and pray the gospels. He walks you through six steps: reading, seeing, meditating, praying, contemplating, and acting. Binz also provides simple suggestions for self-reflection that can lead to practical changes in your everyday life.The book's twenty Bible passages-starting with the Annunciation and ending with Pentecost-are paired with full-color icons of each story.

Ancient-Future Bible Study incorporates contemporary study of the Bible with an experience of the church's most ancient way of reading Scripture, lectio divina. This time-honored practice consists of five basic movements: biblical study (lectio), reflection (meditatio), prayer (oratio), discernment (contemplatio), and contemplative action (operatio). In six clearly written volumes, bestselling author Stephen Binz helps readers study the Bible in a way that leads to spiritual transformation and brings them closer to God.Binz leads readers in a vivid study of key biblical characters, including Abraham, Paul, Peter, David, the women of the Torah, and the women of the Gospels. He shows all Christians who desire to have a transforming experience with the inspired Word of God how studying Scripture through lectio divina can enrich their discipleship. This ecumenical Bible study, designed for use by individuals or groups, includes questions for personal reflection and suggested action. Each volume includes leader's notes for guiding a study over the course of six sessions.

Catholics are often reluctant to begin reading the Bible, this is for various reasons. Perhaps we hang on to the notion that the Bible is a book meant for display, for recording the dates of family members ' births, baptisms, marriages, and deaths. Or perhaps we once attempted to read the Bible and discovered there a culture entirely different from ours 'and came to the conclusion that the Bible had nothing relevant to say to us in this place and time. Attentive to these and the many other reasons Catholics might give for not reading Scripture, Stephen Binz offers practical explanations that will make the Bible less foreign and more familiar.Introduction to the Bible allows readers to discover how the Bible came to be, how to choose a Bible translation, how to interpret the Bible within Catholic tradition, and how to benefit the most from Bible study. Readers will find practical explanations that will make the Bible less foreign and more familiar.Stephen J. Binz is a Catholic biblical scholar, speaker, and counselor. He did graduate studies at the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome and is a member of the Catholic Biblical Association and the Society of Biblical Literature. Binz is the author of numerous books on the Bible, including The Passion and Resurrection Narratives of Jesus and The God of Freedom and Life, both published by Liturgical Press.