Bible Quote by Jana Riess
““To help me learn how to practice lectio divina, I’ve enlisted two expert sources. Eugene Peterson opens his book on spiritual reading with an analogy of us reading Scripture like a dog might gnaw a bone. His dog is joyful to have the bone; for a time he plays with it and enjoys having others interact with it. Then he settles in to chew it in a more private area, turning it over for a long time, then burying it only to retrieve it again later and pick up where he left off. Peterson says that in Hebrew, the word we tamely translate as “meditate” on the Scriptures actually means “growl,” like an animal growls over its prey. God wants us to growl in triumph over the Bible before settling in to wrestle with it and worry it like a bone. It’s a marvelous image.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Lectio Divina Practice Guide, Jana Riess, 2021
Uses a dog chewing a bone as a metaphor for engaging Scripture: playful, then deep, then returning.
In simple terms: Read Scripture playfully, then deeply, and revisit.
Key Takeaway
Approach sacred texts with curiosity and reverence.
Themes
spiritual practice
meditation
growth
Mood
contemplative
inspirational
Type
spiritual
educational
When to use this quote
- personal devotion
- study groups
- spiritual retreats
- education
Key Concepts
symbolism
ritual
reflection
Questions to Reflect On
- How does playful reading affect understanding?
- What practices deepen scriptural engagement?
A Different Perspective
May not suit all theological perspectives.
