IP#352 Dr. Peter Kreeft – Probes on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Podcast

Dr. Peter Kreeft – Probes on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor

Kris McGregor discusses with Dr. Peter Kreeft about his book Probes: Deep Sea Diving into St. John’s Gospel. Inviting readers to actively engage with scripture as a dialogue with God, it blends study and prayer in a manner akin to Lectio Divina. Dr. Kreeft describes it as a deep-sea dive into the Gospel of John, requiring readers to immerse themselves, ask questions, and ponder deeply, trusting God to guide their understanding. Designed for both personal reflection and communal study, it interprets scripture as a living, transformative encounter with God rather than a passive academic exercise.

The Gospel of John is a profound exploration of Christ’s divinity and humanity, particularly in passages like John 17, which offers a glimpse into the life of the Trinity. Scripture “reads” us as much as we read it, creating a dynamic relationship with the living

Suitable for all Christians and even inquirers, Probes bridges study and devotion, encouraging readers to see scripture as a window to encounter God’s truth and love.

You can find the book here.

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Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

1. How Do I Engage With Scripture? Reflect on whether you approach the Bible as a living dialogue with God or merely as a study tool.
2. Am I Open to God’s Questions? Consider if you allow scripture to “read” and challenge your heart as much as you seek to understand its meaning.
3. Do I Ponder or Rush Through Prayer? Ask yourself if your spiritual practices include time for deep pondering and slow reflection, as Mary modeled in the Gospel.
4. Is My Faith Both Personal and Communal? Evaluate how your engagement with scripture fosters personal transformation and enriches group faith experiences.
5. How Does the Gospel Reveal Christ to Me? Reflect on how the Gospel of John helps you encounter the person of Christ, especially through passages like John 17.
6. Do I Trust God’s Guidance in My Search? Consider whether you trust God to lead you through the depths of scripture, even when answers aren’t immediately clear.
7. How Do I Share Scripture with Others? Contemplate how you can introduce others to a more profound engagement with the Word of God through shared study and prayer.
8. Do I Connect Scripture and Sacraments? Reflect on how your encounter with the Word deepens your appreciation of Christ’s presence in the sacraments.

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From the book description

“This is no ordinary book. It is a set of probing questions (1,450 in fact) designed to help individuals or groups, especially groups, to dive deeply into Saint John’s Gospel. No answers are provided, but the questions are phrased in such a way as to set a person in a reliable direction for finding the answers.

The questions correspond to the verses of the Gospel and require active and personal interaction. Some of the questions are easy, some difficult, and they are marked accordingly. Some questions include background information or hints that help the reader along. Some were written with a fair bit of humor. Any person or group using these questions to explore John will find themselves entertained as well as informed and inspired.”

About the Author

Peter Kreeft, Ph.D., Professor of Philosophy at Boston College, is one of the most respected and prolific Christian authors of our time. His books cover a vast array of topics in spirituality, theology, and philosophy. They include Doors in the Walls of the World, The Greatest Philosopher Who Ever Lived, How to Be Holy, Because God Is Real, You Can Understand the Bible, and Summa of the Summa.