MAKING SENSE OF GOD: HOW I GOT TO THE BRAIN
James B. Ashbrook
Zygon: Journal of Religion and Science September 2, 1996 DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-9744.1996.tb00034.x (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Citations | 5 |
| Key points | Argues that the humanizing brain reflects living in an open, evolving universe in the hands of a whole-making, integrating, emerging God whose reality exceeds cultural construction, and that human relationship to this God involves reciprocal attachment and aspiration. The author traces this "neurotheological approach" from earlier, simpler correlations of bimodal consciousness with religion to a more sophisticated exploration of whole-brain functioning and cultural correlates. |
Abstract
Abstract. I describe the development of my work in relating brain research and religion from my personal roots in my family of origin through my professional responsibilities as a pastor, a clinician, and a theological educator to my developing what I call “a neurotheological approach” to faith and ministry. My early correlations gave simplistic attention to bimodal consciousness as an interpretive tool for understanding religion. Subsequently came a more sophisticated exploration of whole‐brain functioning and suggested cultural correlates. Currently, I am explicating tae humanizing brain as reflective of our living in an open system, a universe that is unfolding and evolving, a universe in the hands of the whole‐making, integrating, emerging God whose reality far exceeds the insights of cultural construction. As we humans relate to this God, attachment and aspiration are reciprocal.