Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906 – 1945) was a Lutheran pastor, theologian, anti-Nazi dissident, and a founding member of the Confessing Church. His books on discipleship— particularly The Cost of Discipleship— have been referred to as “modern classics.”

Bonhoeffer is...

The number of truly masterful American writers can probably be numbered on a single hand—James Fenimore Cooper, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Mark Twain, Henry Adams, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and of course Herman Melville.  Each of these authors achieved great success during their lifetimes...

John Ronald Reuel Tolkien (1892-1973) was a English writer, poet, and academic. He wrote many high fantasy works, including The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings— each carrying multiple layers of truth in parable form.

(Tolkien He was at one time a close friend of C.S. Lewis, both of  ...

In the final talk about righteous ruts we discuss the value of finding good books— and allowing others to inform our perspective. Rather than simply reading what’s popular, though, George gives us some tips on how to find the really good stuff…

The stuff that has stood...

The final step of Divine Reading (Lectio Divina) is to memorize the key verse of the chapter we’re studying. We hide it in our heart, recognizing that memorized Scripture was the exclusive means people throughout history have had to carry the Word with them.

As you allow the verse to take...

The final step of Divine Reading (Lectio Divina) is to memorize the key verse of the chapter we’re studying. We hide it in our heart, recognizing that memorized Scripture was the exclusive means people throughout history have had to carry the Word with them.

As you allow the verse to take...

As we apply the Scriptures, we need to be able to see the Gospel in the text (Evangelii).

Where is the pattern of redemption shown, the glory of grace extended, the promise of forgiveness established, and the merit of Jesus laid upon us?

And, there’s this, too…

Most of us are...

Once you’ve reflected on the chapter AND spent time praying through it, it is now time to respond to it.

(The Respond page of the Keystones includes Contemplatio, Evangelii, and Memoria.)

We begin those three with Contemplatio, that is, apply.

The truths of the Scripture need to be...

After reading and discovering what the passage says, we move to prayer…

In fact, we take time to stop to pray through the whole passage (Oratio).

We might begin in several places…

What is there to be thankful for here?

How does this prompt us to worship?

Are there matters we need to...

After reading the passage (Lectio), the second step in Divine Reading (Lectio Divina) is to think through what the chapter is teaching (Meditatio).

What does it mean?.

How should it be understood?.

How should the passage be interpreted?.

Is it primarily indicative (helping us to see something) or...