John G. Lewis is Theologian in Residence for the Iona Collaborative at Seminary of the Southwest, where he teaches online and in-person courses in New Testament and congregational leadership. He was the seminary’s Director of the Iona Collaborative and Lecturer in New Testament and Spirituality. He has taught New Testament and spirituality courses in graduate schools, seminaries, dioceses, and congregations, and was adjunct instructor in New Testament at Trinity University in San Antonio. Lewis is also Co-Director of St. Benedict’s Workshop in San Antonio, a nonprofit ministry he founded in 2001 to help Christian communities use Scripture to practice discipleship and discernment in all areas of daily life. Lewis has served as Dean of Examining Chaplains for the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree in New Testament from the University of Oxford, and an M.Div. from Virginia Theological Seminary, and a Juris Doctor from the University of Houston Law Center. Lewis is the author of Looking for Life: The Role of “Theo-Ethical” Reasoning in Paul’s Religion (London: T&T Clark, 2005). He lives in San Antonio, Texas.

"This book is wholly unique in its conception. With the voices of imaginary pilgrims sounding insights and concerns of perennial importance for the church, Lewis gives authenticity and theological substance to the ancient (and enduring) experience of pilgrimage. Key elements of historical, social, and linguistic data are set forth, clearly and succinctly, for each “station” on the pilgrimage, making this book especially valuable for study groups, teachers, and (literal) tour guides."—Ellen Davis, Amos Ragan Kearns Distinguished Professor of Bible and Practical Theology, Duke Divinity School

“John Lewis helps us read Paul in a new way. His account of discernment in the early church is far from well-known or practiced in our communities today. Here is a lively, amazing close reading of Paul’s teaching on discernment in his letters. Join Lewis for a journey into Paul’s communities and to discover ways that we can take up the practice of discernment when faced with both personal and communal struggles.” 

"At its heart, this book provides an imaginative roadmap for Christ followers to grow in formation through community building and discernment. Lewis offers the church, a way to discover our roots as Christ followers who respectfully listen, learn, and flourish together. The book is an accessible scholarly work and a great tool, especially for small churches and small groups." 

"Written as a narrative of pilgrimage, Discernment in the Early Church and Today: Reclaiming Paul’s Vision for Formation and Community Building, is a lovely balance of pastoral wisdom and contemporary Pauline scholarship.  This book reminds us that all believers are called to lives of discernment and that Paul’s letters give us great insight into this."

“Baptism happens in a matter of minutes, but how do the baptized truly internalize Christ’s way of life? Using a framework of pilgrimage, this engaging book takes readers on a journey through Paul’s churches and the dynamic practices of communal discernment that shaped them in the image of Christ. Lewis brings together the riches of his biblical scholarship with twenty-five years of practical experience in guiding weekly reflection groups to help Christians live into their baptismal identity in the details and conundrums of daily life.”

“This is an extraordinary book! Lewis combines twenty-five years of experience leading church groups practicing moral discernment with fresh, insightful readings of Paul’s letters with results that are both challenging and exciting. This book is good news for the small church as well as the large one: the theological pilgrimage back to the churches of the New Testament described here, like any genuine quest, will not leave the reader unchanged. Watch out for serious discipleship ahead!”

"I cannot think of a better cure for clergy and congregational burnout than this love letter from Lewis's Paul. His new/old vision of the Church as a collaborative, Christ-centered conversation is as practicable as it is perennially relevant. Buckle in for a journey that takes us back to the heart of why we gather. This is life-giving stuff."