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The term "contemplative" in a biblical context refers to a spiritual practice or disposition characterized by deep reflection, meditation, and prayerful consideration of God's Word and His presence. This practice is rooted in the desire to draw closer to God, understand His will, and experience His peace.

Biblical Basis

The Bible encourages believers to engage in contemplation as a means of spiritual growth and communion with God. InPsalm 1:2, the psalmist describes the blessed man whose "delight is in the law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night." This verse highlights the importance of meditating on God's Word as a form of contemplation that leads to spiritual prosperity and stability.

Similarly, inJoshua 1:8, God commands Joshua, "This Book of the Law must not depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in all you do." Here, meditation is linked to obedience and success, emphasizing the transformative power of contemplative engagement with Scripture.

New Testament Insights

In the New Testament, contemplation is often associated with prayer and the inner life of the believer. Jesus Himself exemplified a contemplative life, frequently withdrawing to solitary places to pray and commune with the Father (Luke 5:16). This practice underscores the importance of solitude and silence in fostering a deeper relationship with God.

The Apostle Paul also encourages believers to focus their minds on spiritual truths. InPhilippians 4:8, he writes, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things." This exhortation to dwell on virtuous and praiseworthy matters reflects a contemplative mindset that aligns one's thoughts with God's character and purposes.

Historical and Theological Perspectives

Throughout church history, contemplative practices have been integral to the spiritual lives of many Christian saints and theologians. The Desert Fathers and Mothers, early Christian monastics, emphasized the importance of silence, solitude, and prayerful meditation as means of drawing closer to God. Their writings and teachings have influenced various Christian traditions, including the development of monasticism and the practice of lectio divina, a method of prayerful Scripture reading.

Theologically, contemplation is seen as a response to God's revelation and an expression of love for Him. It involves a movement from intellectual understanding to a heartfelt experience of God's presence. This aligns with the biblical call to love God with all one's heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30).

Practical Application

For contemporary believers, cultivating a contemplative life involves setting aside time for prayer, meditation on Scripture, and reflection on God's attributes and works. It requires intentionality in creating space for silence and solitude amidst the busyness of daily life. By doing so, believers can deepen their relationship with God, gain clarity in discerning His will, and experience His peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7).

Contemplation is not merely an individual pursuit but also enriches the communal life of the church. As believers grow in their contemplative practices, they contribute to a spiritually vibrant and discerning community that seeks to embody the love and truth of Christ in the world.1. (a.) Pertaining to contemplation; addicted to, or employed in, contemplation; meditative.

2. (a.) Having the power of contemplation; as, contemplative faculties.

3. (n.) A religious or either sex devoted to prayer and meditation, rather than to active works of charity.

4905b. maskil -- acontemplative poem
... acontemplative poem. Transliteration: maskil Short Definition: psalm. Word Origin
from sakal Definition acontemplative poem NASB Word Usage skillful psalm (1)...

On Prayer and TheContemplative Life
On Prayer and TheContemplative Life. <. On Prayer and The
Contemplative Life St. Thomas Aquinas. Produced by Charlene...

Whether theContemplative Life is Continuous?
... OF THECONTEMPLATIVE LIFE (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether thecontemplative life is
continuous? Objection 1: It would seem that thecontemplative...

Whether theContemplative Life is Hindered by the Active Life?
... OF THE ACTIVE LIFE IN COMPARISON WITH THECONTEMPLATIVE LIFE (FOUR ARTICLES)
Whether thecontemplative life is hindered by the active life?...

Whether the Moral virtues Pertain to theContemplative Life?
... OF THECONTEMPLATIVE LIFE (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether the moral virtues pertain
to thecontemplative life? Objection 1: It would seem...

ThatContemplative Life is Worthier and Meedfuller than Active...
... THE FIRE OF LOVE. BOOK I CHAPTER XXI THATCONTEMPLATIVE LIFE IS WORTHIER AND
MEEDFULLER THAN ACTIVE: AND OF BOTH PRELACY AND PREACHING....

Whether the Active Life Precedes theContemplative?
... OF THE ACTIVE LIFE IN COMPARISON WITH THECONTEMPLATIVE LIFE (FOUR ARTICLES)
Whether the active life precedes thecontemplative?...

Of theContemplative Life (Eight Articles)
... OF THECONTEMPLATIVE LIFE (EIGHT ARTICLES). We must now consider thecontemplative
life, under which head there are eight points of inquiry:...

All the Duties of aContemplative Life Reduced to Two Heads...
... OF MORTIFICATION IN GENERAL; AND OF NECESSARY AND VOLUNTARY MORTIFICATIONS. CHAPTER
I. All the duties of acontemplative life reduced to two heads? Sec. Sec....

Whether theContemplative Life Consists in the Mere Contemplation...
... OF THECONTEMPLATIVE LIFE (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether thecontemplative life consists
in the mere contemplation of God, or also in the consideration of any truth...

Whether theContemplative Life Has Nothing to do with the...
... OF THECONTEMPLATIVE LIFE (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether thecontemplative life has nothing
to do with the affections, and pertains wholly to the intellect?...

Contemplative (2 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Having the power of contemplation; as,contemplative faculties.... Multi-Version
ConcordanceContemplative (2 Occurrences). Psalms 32:1 By David....

Contemplation (11 Occurrences)

Psalm (213 Occurrences)
... Psalms 32:1 By David. Acontemplative psalm. Blessed is he whose disobedience is
forgiven, whose sin is covered.... By the sons of Korah. Acontemplative psalm....

Thoughtful (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Full of thought; employed in meditation;
contemplative; as, a man of thoughtful mind. 2. (a.) Attentive...

Reflecting (2 Occurrences)
... 3. (a.) Given to reflection or serious consideration; reflective;contemplative;
as, a reflecting mind. Multi-Version Concordance Reflecting (2 Occurrences)....

Contemporaries (2 Occurrences)

Ascetic (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (n.) In the early church, one who devoted himself to a solitary andcontemplative
life, characterized by devotion, extreme self-denial, and self...

Choirmaster (55 Occurrences)
... By the sons of Korah. Acontemplative psalm. We have heard with our ears, God; our
fathers have told us, what work you did in their days, in the days of old....

Mind (615 Occurrences)
... powers, the impulsive aspirations, the might (`with all thy might'), the will; and
in the intellectual powers, analytical orcontemplative, dianoia (`with all...

Judaeus
... Most conspicuous of these is Concerning theContemplative Life, with its ascetic
view of morality, and its description of the ideal community of the Therapeutae...

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