Brian Russell
Dr. Brian D. Russell (Ph.D.) is an award winning professor of Biblical Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary. Brian is an ordained minister and has served congregations in Kentucky, Virginia, and Florida. He is also the founder of Deep Dive Spirituality (www.deepdivespirituality.com), a group coaching program for pastors seeking to deepen their spiritual formation and grow as ambassadors of God’s abundance for the world.
He is the author of The Song of the Sea: The Date of Composition and Influence of Exodus 15:1–21 (Peter Lang, 2007), Invitation: A Ten Week Bible Study (Seedbed, 2015), (re)Aligning with God: Reading Scripture for Church and World (Cascade Book, 2016), The Psalms: Part I, II, & III (Seedbed, 2016, 2017, and 2018), and Centering Prayer: Sitting Quietly in God’s Presence Can Change Your Life (Paraclete Press, 2021) as well as six quarters of Adult Bible Studies: Teacher (United Methodist Publishing House) and many other curriculum resources, book reviews, blog posts, and scholarly articles.
Astonished by the Word
Reading Scripture for Deep Transformation
We all come to Scripture with biases, blocks, and assumptions that can lead us to read our own interpretations into it, use it to justify our beliefs, or even weaponize it against others. But God invites us into a more exciting journey with His Word, one that reveals what’s going on in our own hearts and invites us into deep soul transformation.
Astonished by the Word recaptures an ancient way of engaging with Scripture that takes you beyond knowledge to whole-life transformation and a greater love of God and neighbor. Using the Idolatherapy tool – an experiential method that combines biblical studies with spiritual direction and contemplative practice – you will learn how to move from reading the text to allowing Scripture to read you, changing you from the inside out.
Discover how reading the Bible can bring you inner healing, help you understand yourself and God better, and become a more loving person as you walk through the world.
Astonished by the Word is a blueprint for:
- Approaching Scripture with fresh eyes and ears
- Understanding who God is and how Scripture is authoritative in today’s modern world
- Identifying and overcoming your biases and blocks when approaching the text
- Finding inner healing and transformation through your reading of Scripture
- Learning how to integrate powerful ancient practices like Centering Prayer and Lectio Divina into your Bible reading
- Growing in love of God and neighbor by reading the Bible
You’re invited to bring your whole self to the Bible: your curiosity, questions, intellect, doubts, fears, and hopes. Be amazed and energized by the Bible again, as you open yourself up to its transformative power and allow it to heal your body, mind, soul, and spirit.