Karl A. Schultz

Karl A. Schultz is the director of Genesis Personal Development Center in Pittsburgh. He is an author, speaker, and retreat leader on motivational, gender relations, biblical spirituality, time and stress management, wellness, and organizational development topics. Schultz has presented programs in corporate, hospital, hospice, church, association, convention, and retreat environments throughout the United States.

Schultz is known internationally for his innovative books and workshops on lectio divina, the ancient Christian model of prayerfully and holistically reading the Bible. He has developed applications of lectio divina to suffering, care-giving, inner healing, time management, stress management, gender dialogue and relations, infertility, journaling, potential fulfillment, the book of Job, and the teachings of Popes Paul VI and John Paul II.

In 1990, Schultz developed a workshop and method of therapy entitled "Job therapy" (referring to the book of Job and job/vocation stressors) based on lectio divina that was approved by the Pennsylvania Nurses Association for R.N. continuing education units.

In September, 2008, Karl's eleventh book, "The St. Joseph Guide to the Bible: Becoming Comfortable with the Bible in Four Simple Steps" was published by the Catholic Book Publishing Corporation. It complements the St. Joseph Edition of the Bible and the St. Joseph Sunday and Daily Missals, also by the same publisher.

"The St. Joseph Guide to the Bible" is composed of four chapters:
1) How to choose a Bible and translation.
2) The proper order in which to read the Bible.
3) How to read the Bible prayerfully and holistically using the ancient Christian model of spiritual reading known as lectio divina.
4) How to interpret the Bible competently and confidently.

At 144 pages and $7.95, it is not only a bargain, but a steal. It is perhaps the best way to become familiar and comfortable with the Bible in a quick and effective manner. It was originally entitled "Your Quick-Start Guide to the Bible", but the link to the St. Joseph Bible and Missals merited top billing.

Karl published four books in 2007:

"How to Pray with the Bible: The Ancent Prayer Form of Lectio Divina Made Simple" (Our Sunday Visitor)

"Pope Paul VI: Christian Virtues and Values" (The Crossroad Publishing Company)

"Bearing the Unbearable: Coping with Infertility and Other Profound Suffering" (Nimble Books)

"Becoming Community: Biblical Meditations and Applications in Modern Life" (New City Press)

Each of these books stands out for different reasons:

"How to Pray with the Bible" is the fruit of fifteen years of writing and teaching about lectio divina. Its table of contents has been praised as the best of any book on the subject.

"Pope Paul VI" has been endorsed by the world's leading Catholic biblical association, the Catholic Biblical Federation. It is the only thematic collection of Paul's teachings to be accompanied by an extensive account of his life and legacy and its suitability for lectio divina and interpersonal dialogue.

"Bearing the Unbearable" has superb cover and chapter artwork by renowned stained glass artist Nicholas Parrendo, and contains copious reflection questions and applications designed to help readers draw personal parallels with the lives of biblical characters.

"Becoming Community" is the only book on the subject to utilize the process of lectio divina while integrating the fruits of biblical exegesis and spirituality with the human sciences.

In 2004, Our Sunday Visitor published "The How-To Book of the Bible" At a price of $13.95, this 352 page guide is one of the most helpful resources for personal and group bible study and spirituality. It makes an excellent companion to "How to Pray with the Bible."

Schultz has written articles on lectio divina in newspapers and journals throughout the country. His most recent appeared in the July, 2007 issue of "The Bible Today."

The appendices of Schultz's books feature articles by other renowned authorities on lectio divina, including Cardinal Carlo M. Martini, S.J., Fr. Luke Dysinger, OSB, and Abbot Jerome Kodell, OSB.

Schultz has discussed the Bible and lectio divina on several EWTN (the international Catholic television network) programs, including Bookmark, Living His Life Abundantly, and Life on the Rock.

Schultz has published ten books, one pamphlet, and three audiocassettes on topics such as time management, stress management, suffering, care-giving, how to read the Bible, lectio divina, journaling, wellness, job therapy, Christian virtues and values, and Pope Paul VI, along with a personal organizer, "The Personal Energy Manager Rainbow Planner".

Signed and personalized copies of these can be ordered from Genesis Personal Development Center at (412) 766-7545 or karlaschultz@juno.com or mrkarleno@gmail.com. You can also receive information on Schultz' workshops, retreats, and speaking schedule.

In 1995, Schultz dialogued with Dr. Warren Farrell, a leading U.S. authority on gender relationships (www.warrenfarrell.com) in an audiotape program entitled Men, Women, and Spirituality. He is now working on a book with Farrell and Dr. Cornelius Murphy.

Schultz has written and spoken extensively on the marginalization of men in the Church and society, and the need for improved gender collaboration and communications. He is currently working on a book on men and women in the Bible and its relevance to today. This will incorporate insights from John Paul II's teaching on the subject, often referred to as "Theology of the Body".

For details on Schultz's presentations and retreats on lectio divina (how to read and pray the Bible), Rediscovering Pope Paul VI and Vatican II, Coping with Stress, Suffering, Infertility, and Intimate Conflict Through Lectio Divina, St. Joseph's retreats for men's groups and conferences, and general audiences, and his signature personal ("Basketball, Business, The Beatles and The Bible") and organizational development programs, "Little Victories", see the contact information above.

Genesis Center has a huge inventory of quality used and new Catholic books. Quantity discounts are available. Build a customized library of quality resources.

If you have read any of Karl's books and want to share your reaction with others, please write a review on Amazon.com. This will help spread the word and give potential readers an objective perspective on the utility of the book. Also, feel free to email Karl at karlaschultz@juno.com. Feedback and sharing is very welcome!