Contemplation, in the Christian tradition, refers to the practice of deep, reflective thought focused on God, His Word, and His works. It is a spiritual discipline that seeks to draw the believer closer to God through meditation and prayerful reflection. The practice of contemplation is rooted in Scripture and has been a significant aspect of Christian spirituality throughout history.

Biblical Foundations

The Bible encourages believers to meditate on God's Word and His attributes. In Psalm 1:2, the psalmist describes the blessed man as one whose "delight is in the law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night." This verse highlights the importance of continuous reflection on God's Word as a source of spiritual nourishment and growth.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul exhorts believers to focus their thoughts on things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable (Philippians 4:8). This instruction aligns with the practice of contemplation, as it involves directing one's mind toward the virtues and truths found in Scripture.

Contemplation in the Life of Jesus

Jesus Himself modeled a life of contemplation and prayer. In the Gospels, we see Jesus withdrawing to solitary places to pray and commune with the Father (Luke 5:16). These moments of solitude and reflection were integral to His ministry, providing Him with strength and guidance.

Historical Context

Throughout church history, contemplation has been a vital component of Christian spirituality. Early Church Fathers, such as Augustine and Gregory the Great, emphasized the importance of contemplative prayer and meditation. The monastic tradition, particularly within the Benedictine and Cistercian orders, developed structured practices of contemplation, often referred to as "lectio divina" or divine reading, which involves reading, meditation, prayer, and contemplation.

Practical Application

For contemporary believers, contemplation can be practiced through various means, including:

1. Scripture Meditation: Engaging deeply with a passage of Scripture, pondering its meaning, and allowing it to speak to one's heart.

2. Prayerful Reflection: Spending time in silent prayer, listening for God's voice, and reflecting on His presence and guidance.

3. Nature and Creation: Observing the beauty of God's creation and contemplating His power and majesty as revealed through nature.

4. Worship and Music: Using hymns, psalms, and spiritual songs as a means to focus the mind and heart on God.

Contemplation and Transformation

The ultimate goal of contemplation is spiritual transformation. As believers engage in this practice, they are conformed more closely to the image of Christ. Romans 12:2 encourages believers to "be transformed by the renewing of your mind," a process that is facilitated through contemplative practices.

Challenges and Considerations

While contemplation is a valuable spiritual discipline, it requires intentionality and discipline. In a world filled with distractions, setting aside time for quiet reflection can be challenging. However, the rewards of drawing closer to God and experiencing His peace and presence make the effort worthwhile.

In summary, contemplation is a biblically grounded practice that invites believers to deepen their relationship with God through focused reflection and prayer. It is a means of aligning one's heart and mind with the truths of Scripture and the character of God, leading to spiritual growth and transformation.1. (n.) The act of the mind in considering with attention; continued attention of the mind to a particular subject; meditation; musing; study.

2. (n.) Holy meditation.

3. (n.) The act of looking forward to an event as about to happen; expectation; the act of intending or purposing.

7879. siach -- complaint, musing
... From siyach; a contemplation; by implication, an utterance -- babbling, communication,
complaint, meditation, prayer, talk. see HEBREW siyach. 7878, 7879. ...
/hebrew/7879.htm - 6k

Contemplation
... DIONYSIUS THE AREOPAGITE V."CONTEMPLATION. ... For it underlies a profound
theory of Personality and a rich method of Contemplation. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rolt/dionysius the areopagite/v contemplation.htm

Of Contemplation
... AS TRANSLATED BY RICHARD MISYN IN 1434 FROM DE EMENDATIONE VITAE' BY RICHARD ROLLE
OF HAMPOLE: AND NOW DONE INTO MODERN ENGLISH CHAPTER XII OF CONTEMPLATION. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/rolle/the fire of love/chapter xii of contemplation.htm

How Much the Contemplation of God is to be Preferred to all Other ...
... Chapter 9 How much the contemplation of God is to be preferred to all other
exercises. Now since all things other than God are the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/albert/on cleaving to god/chapter 9 how much the.htm

Of Contemplation in General; what it Is. ...
Holy Wisdom: or, Directions for the Prayer of Contemplation. <. ... OF CONTEMPLATION.
CHAPTER I. Of contemplation in general; what it is.? Sec. Sec. ...
/.../chapter i of contemplation in.htm

Whether There is Delight in Contemplation?
... OF THE CONTEMPLATIVE LIFE (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether there is delight in contemplation?
Objection 1: It would seem that there is no delight in contemplation. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether there is delight in.htm

Liii. The Contemplation of Death.
... LIII. THE CONTEMPLATION OF DEATH. 16th Sunday after Trinity. S. Luke 7:12.
"Behold, there was a dead man carried out.". INTRODUCTION ...
/.../liii the contemplation of death.htm

Whether Contemplation or Meditation is the Cause of Devotion?
... OF DEVOTION (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether contemplation or meditation is the cause of
devotion? ... Therefore contemplation or meditation is not the cause of devotion. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether contemplation or meditation is.htm

The Psychology of Contemplation
... DIONYSIUS THE AREOPAGITE VII."THE PSYCHOLOGY OF CONTEMPLATION. Be this as it
may, Dionysius is unquestionably speaking of a psychological ...
/.../rolt/dionysius the areopagite/vii the psychology of contemplation.htm

Here Beginneth a Book of Contemplation, the which is Called the ...
... Here beginneth a book of contemplation, the which is called the CLOUD OF UNKNOWING,
in the which a soul is oned with GOD. Here Beginneth ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth a book of.htm

That the Proper School of Contemplation is Solitude. ...
Holy Wisdom: or, Directions for the Prayer of Contemplation. <. ... THE THIRD SECTION
OF THE FIRST TREATISE, TOUCHING THE SCHOOL OF CONTEMPLATION, VIZ. ...
/.../chapter i that the proper.htm

Contemplation (11 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Contemplation (11 Occurrences). Psalms 42:1 For
the Chief Musician. A contemplation by the sons of Korah. ...
/c/contemplation.htm - 10k

Contemplative (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Pertaining to contemplation; addicted to,
or employed in, contemplation; meditative. 2. (a.) Having ...
/c/contemplative.htm - 7k

Choirmaster (55 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Psalms 42:1 For the Chief Musician. A contemplation by the sons of Korah. ...
Set to "The Lilies." A contemplation by the sons of Korah. A wedding song. ...
/c/choirmaster.htm - 21k

Tune (15 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Psalms 45:1 For the Chief Musician. Set to "The Lilies." A contemplation
by the sons of Korah. ... To the tune of "Mahalath." A contemplation by David. ...
/t/tune.htm - 12k

Musician (112 Occurrences)
... (ASV). Psalms 42:1 For the Chief Musician. A contemplation by the sons of Korah. ...
Set to "The Lilies." A contemplation by the sons of Korah. A wedding song. ...
/m/musician.htm - 39k

Reflection (3 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) The reverting of the mind to that which has already occupied it; continued
consideration; meditation; contemplation; hence, also, that operation or ...
/r/reflection.htm - 8k

Ezrahite (5 Occurrences)
... To the tune of "The Suffering of Affliction." A contemplation by Heman, the Ezrahite. ...
(ASV). Psalms 89:1 A contemplation by Ethan, the Ezrahite. ...
/e/ezrahite.htm - 9k

Muse (5 Occurrences)
... 6. (n.) To be absent in mind; to be so occupied in study or contemplation as not
to observe passing scenes or things present; to be in a brown study. ...
/m/muse.htm - 9k

Stringed (34 Occurrences)
... A contemplation by David, when the Ziphites came and said to Saul, "Isn't David
hiding himself among us?" Save me, God, by your name. ... A contemplation by David. ...
/s/stringed.htm - 18k

Adoration
... Adoration is perhaps the highest type of worship, involving the reverent and rapt
contemplation of the Divine perfections and prerogatives, the acknowledgment ...
/a/adoration.htm - 20k

What is quietism? | GotQuestions.org

What is Hesychasm? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Teresa of Avila? | GotQuestions.org

Contemplation: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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