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. The original, never-before-published icons, written by Ruta and Kaspars Poikans, are displayed in the Unity Chapel at the Mary of Nazareth International Center in Israel.
Features & Benefits
- Stephen J. Binz is the author of more than forty books with cumulative sales of more than 400,000.
- This is the first book to combine the practices of lectio divina (sacred reading) and visio divina (sacred seeing).
- The book features never-before-published icons created by Ruta and Kaspars Poikans for the Unity Chapel at the Mary of Nazareth International Center in Israel.
Product Preview
| Format: | Paperback book |
|---|---|
| Product code: | AM716515 |
| Dimensions: | 6" x 9" |
| Length: | 224 pages |
| Publisher: |
Ave Maria Press
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| ISBN: | 9781594716515 |
| 1-2 copies | $14.91 each |
|---|---|
| 3-9 copies | $14.23 each |
| 10-49 copies | $13.56 each |
| 50-99 copies | $13.22 each |
| 100+ copies | $12.71 each |
Praise
This skillful melding of lectio and visio divina helps the reader personally engage God’s Word and be shaped by its power. Prepare to be blessed!"
Codeveloper and author of The Great Adventure Catholic Bible Study Program
Stephen Binz has artfully combined his scholarship and love of icons to create a book that helps readers encounter Jesus Christ and enter into the crucial scenes that narrate his life."
Director of the Little Rock Scripture Study
Skillfully uniting icons and scripture, Stephen Binz’s meditations invite us toward wholeness and holiness, to hear with the heart’s ear and see with the heart’s eye."
Author of Icons in the Modern World
As one who both practices and teaches visio divina, I highly recommend this book that beautifully links art, prayer, and the healing power of both."
BeeStill Studios
Author
Stephen J. Binz is a Catholic biblical scholar, psychotherapist, popular speaker, and award-winning author of the Threshold Bible Series, and other books on biblical spirituality. Following graduate studies at the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome and Hebrew University in Jerusalem, he has developed Bible studies in the church for over two decades. He and his wife live in Baton Rouge, LA. Learn more about him at bridge-b.com.
