Bibliography – Christian Neuroscience-Informed Practices

The focus is works that focus on neuroscientific evidence regarding Christian practices.

1) Compassion Practice (Christian)

Andrew Dreitcer, Living Compassion: Loving Like Jesus, Nov. 1, 2017, Upper Room Books - Andrew Dreitcer is a faculty member of Claremont School of Theology, where he is associate professor of spirituality, director of spiritual formation, and codirector of the Center for Engaged Compassion.

Mark A. Maddix & Dean G. Blevins (editors), Neuroscience and Christian Formation, Oct 1, 2016, 180 pages. CHAPTERS:

1. Laura Barwegen - “A Primer on Neuroscience”
2. Dean Blevins, “Technology and the Brain”
3. Glena Andrews – “How Neuroscience Informs Teaching”
4. Mark A. Maddix, “Neuroscience and Christian Formation”
5. Karen Choi – “Neuroplasticity and Spiritual Formation: Changing Brain Structure and Core Beliefs Through Mindfulness and Scripture Meditation/Reflection”
6. Timothy Wall Westbrook – “We were made for This: Reflections on the Mirror Neuron System and Intercultural Christian Education”
7. Brad Strawn and Warren Brawn – “Christian Education as Embodied and Embedded Virtue Formation”
8. Dean Blevins – “Neuroscience and Christian Worship: Practices That Change the Brain”
9. Theresa A. O’Keefe – “Making Connections: Neurobiology and Developmental Theory”
10. James R. Estep and John Trentham – “Neurological Development in Early Young Adults and their Implications for Christian Education”
11. Mark A. Maddix and Glena Andrews – “Changing Behavior and Renewing the Brain: Neuroscience and Spirituality”
12. Carol T. Brown - “Equipping Minds for Christian Education or Learning Form Neuroscience for Christian Educators”

Rolf R. Nolasco Jr. & R. Vincent MacDonald, Andrew Dreitcer (Foreword), Compassionate Presence: A Radical Response to Human Suffering, Wipf and Stock, Cascade Books (paperback), Oct. 19, 2016; Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary Rueben P. Job Professor of Spiritual Formation and Pastoral Theology; B.A., University of the Philippines; M.Div., Fuller Seminary; Th.D., Boston University.

Frank Rogers Jr., Practicing Compassion, Dec. 5, 2014, Upper Room Books / Fresh Air Books.

Frank Rogers Jr., Compassion in Practice: The Way of Jesus, Aug. 1, 2016, Upper Room Books; Professor at Claremont School of Theology and codirector of the Center for Engaged Compassion.

2) Mindfulness (Christian)

Irene Kraegel, The Mindful Christian: Cultivating a Life of Intentionality, Openness, and Faith, Fortress Press (Feb. 18, 2020); Irene Kraegel is a clinical psychologist in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She has worked in community mental health and then in private practice before joining Calvin University's Center for Counseling and Wellness in 2009, first as a counselor and now serving as director. She is known for her writing and resources at her website The Mindful Christian.

Mary Jo Meadow, Christian Insight Meditation: Following in the Footsteps of John of the Cross, Simon & Schuster, 2007 – The practice of Christian insight meditation can enliven one's entire prayer life. It can prepare our hearts to hear God's word in new ways, set the stage for new insight into the deeper meaning of the words and symbols we celebrate in Christian worship and practice, and help us to grow in the purity of heart, poverty of spirit, and emptiness of self that dispose us for God's work in our lives. The practice is particularly valuable for taking prayer beyond discursiveness, petition, and thinking. Christian insight meditation is nothing short of a powerful way to "pray always" and practice loving presence to God. Drawing heavily on the teachings of St. John of the Cross, and also drawing from the illuminating writings of Teresa of Avila, the authors here offer a masterful explication of a practice and path firmly grounded in the meditative technology of Eastern wisdom, yet wholly and vividly Christian in spirit.

Amy G. Oden, Right Here Right Now: The Practice of Christian Mindfulness, Abingdon Press (Aug. 1, 2017) – Amy G. Oden is Professor of Early Church History and Spirituality at Saint Paul School of Theology at Oklahoma City University and the author of In Her Words, And You Welcomed Me, and Right Here Right Now, all published by Abingdon Press.

Tim Stead, Mindfulness and Christian Spirituality: Making Space for God, Westminster John Knox Press (Aug. 15, 2017) – Tim Stead is an ordained Anglican priest and is currently Vicar of Holy Trinity in Headington Quarry, Oxford. He is also an accredited mindfulness teacher with the Oxford Mindfulness Centre.

Charles Stone, Holy Noticing: The Bible, Your Brain, and the Mindful Space Between Moments, Moody Publishers (Mar. 5, 2019) – Dr. Charles Stone (M.Div., Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, D.Min., Trinity Evangelical Divinity Seminary) has served for 37 years in ministry, 24 of those years as a senior pastor, West Park Church in London, Ontario, Canada; founder of  StoneWell Ministries; Many of his articles have been featured in magazines such as Outreach, Leadership Journal, REV, New Man, and In Touch and his blog posts have appeared on sites such as Pastors.com, SermonCentral.com, ChurchCentral.com, and Churchleaders.com.

Peter Tyler, Christian Mindfulness: Theology and Practice, SCM Press (Sep. 28, 2018) – Peter Tyler is Professor of Pastoral Theology and Spirituality at St Mary's University, London. He is the author of numerous books, most recently The Pursuit of the Soul: Psychoanalysis, Soul-making and the Christian Tradition (Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 2016).

Jim Wilder & Michel Hendricks, The Other Half of Church: Christian Community, Brain Science, and Overcoming Spiritual Stagnation, Moody Publishers, Aug. 4, 2020 – Jim Wilder (PhD, Clinical Psychology, and M.A. Theology, Fuller Theological Seminary) has been training leaders and counselors for over 27 years on five continents. He is the author of nine books with a strong focus on maturing and relationship skills for leaders. His coauthored book Living From the Heart Jesus Gave You has sold over 100,000 copies in eleven languages. Wilder has published numerous articles and developed four sets of video and relational leadership training called THRIVE. He is currently executive director of Shepherd's House Inc., a nonprofit working at the intersection of brain science and theology, and founder of Life Model Works that is building contagiously healthy Christian communities through equipping existing networks with the skills to thrive. Dr. Wilder has extensive clinical counseling experience and has served as a guest lecturer at Fuller Seminary, Biola, Talbot Seminary, Point Loma University, Montreat College, Tyndale Seminary and elsewhere.; Michel Hendricks (MDiv, Denver Seminary; BS, University of Colorado) has been a teacher and trainer for more than twenty-five years. He is the former pastor of spiritual formation at Flatirons Community Church in Lafayette, CO. He has also served and trained people in Argentina, Bolivia, Mexico, Kenya, South Sudan, and Uganda. He is the author of Basic Training for Walking With Jesus and Intentional Apprenticeship. He and his wife, Claudia, have three adult children.

Chaplain Kristie J. Zahn, “Christian Mindfulness: Space And Grace In Spiritual Care,” MBA, M.A., BCC October 22, 2020, PowerPoint – Program Summary: The concept of “being present” has been an essential competency of chaplaincy long before Mindfulness became the latest thing in pop culture. Today’s webinar is less about what Mindfulness is, and more about how Mindfulness can enable greater God awareness, and in doing so, bring our “inner peace” into our “outer work” in Spiritual Care. Though Mindfulness is often times referred to as being Buddhist in its philosophy, in truth, we as Christians have long understood and been inspired by the lives of many contemplative Christian saints and mystics, including Jesus himself, who modeled how to be fully present, fully aware, through the eyes of compassion and non-judgment. So, with a Christian Spiritual Lens on Mindfulness, we will explore how chaplains can integrate Mindfulness practices into patient care, especially with the SBNR (Spiritual but not Religious) and into personal self-care/stress management. The intention of this webinar will be to stimulate the mind, open the heart, and inspire the soul by sharing stories, practical tools and best practices that enable us as Chaplains to create Space and Grace in Spiritual Care. / Program Objectives: By understanding how your mind works, cultivate a Mindfulness practice that strengthens your Christian faith tradition, deepens your relationship with God, and empowers your work in Spiritual Care. Explore best practices in chaplaincy using Mindfulness principles that address issues of spiritual distress in the “Spiritual but not Religious”, inpatient and outpatient. Use Christian Mindfulness to lovingly self-nurture the effects of stress and compassion fatigue. / About the Presenter: Kristie Zahn spent 20+ years of her career as an HR Executive in non-profit, academic, and profit-based companies. Her call to ministry and passion for Mindfulness arose from her own “sacred initiation/care accident” where she experienced “death and rebirth” as she moved through a coma, and extensive time in rehab/recovery. Her healing journey has given her personal experience, as well as insight, wisdom, and compassion with regards to many traditional and complementary paths to healing. She left her corporate career to pursue service in spiritual care, and has studied/been credentialed to teach Mindfulness with many esteemed teachers such as Jack Kornfield, Tara Brach and Sharon Salzburg. Kristie holds Masters’ degrees in Management and Religious Studies, and is also a certified Life Coach. Kristie is currently a Board Certified staff Chaplain at Ascension All Saints Hospital in Racine, WI. NACC Certification Competencies Covered by the Webinar: PIC1, PIC2, PIC3, PIC6, PPS1, PPS2, PPS3, PPS5, OL1, PL2, OL4, OL5.

3) Scientific Study – Christianity & Neuroscience

Maddix, Mark, Glena Andrews (psychologist), “Changing Behavior and Renewing the Brain: A Study of College Students,” Christian Education Journal: Research on Educational Ministry, April 13, 2018.

Andrew B. Newberg, Nancy Wintering, David B. Yaden, Li Zhong, Brendan Bowen, Noah Averick, “Effect of a one-week spiritual retreat on dopamine and serotonin transporter binding: a preliminary study,” Religion, Brain & Behavior, Vol. 8, 2018 - Issue 3; Pages 265-278; Received 12 Jun 2016, Accepted 26 Nov 2016, Pub online: 22 Mar 2017. – “Buddhist meditation has long had a big advantage over Christian contemplation, because the latter hasn’t been scientifically researched.”

Mark Pretorius, “Examining the function of neurobiology in Christian spiritual experiences and practice,” HTS Theological Studies, Received: 02 June 2020; Accepted: 31 Aug. 2020; Published: 24 Nov. 2020

Michael Spezio, “Trust and Christian contemplative practice: A social neuroscientific study of spiritual capital in a contemplative tradition,” 2005 Varela Grant, Mind and Life Institute.

4) Christianity & Neuroscience – Papers, Dissertations

Bauer, Richard Christian (2020). Investigating Contemplative Christian Spirituality as Christian Formation through a Process Hermeneutic: an analysis of History, Evolution, and Neuroscience in Christian Meditation. Dissertation, Duke University. Duke Divinity School.

Larrivee, Denis, Luis Echarte, “Contemplative Meditation and Neuroscience: Prospects for Mental Health,” Journal of Religious Health, 2018 Jun. 57(3):960-978 – Abstract: Numerous studies show that personal spirituality developed through prayer positively influences mental health. Phenomenological and neuroscientific studies of mindfulness, an Eastern meditative prayer form, reveal significant health benefits now yielding important insights useful for guiding treatment of psychological disorders. By contrast, and despite its practice for millennia, Christian meditation is largely unrepresented in studies of clinical efficacy. Resemblances between mindfulness and disciplinary acts in Christian meditation taken from the ancient Greek practice of askesis suggest that Christian meditation will prove similarly beneficial; furthermore, psychological and neuroscientific studies suggest that its retention of a dialogical and transcendent praxis will additionally benefit social and existential psychotherapy. This paper thus argues that study of contemplative meditation for its therapeutic potential is warranted.

William E. Miller, “Empathy and Moral Formation: Practicing virtue in an age of neuroscience,” (Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary); Religious Education Association, Conference Paper, “Brain Matters: Neuroscience, Creativity, and Diversity,” Nov 4-6, 2011, Toronto, Ontario.

5) Christianity & Neuroscience - Books

Warren S. Brown & Brad D. Strawn, The Physical Nature of Christian Life: Neuroscience, Psychology, and the Church, Cambridge University Press, Jun 11, 2012. – This book explores the implications of recent insights in modern neuroscience for the church's view of spiritual formation. Science suggests that functions of the brain and body in collaboration with social experience, rather than a disembodied soul, provide physical basis for the mental capacities, interpersonal relations, and religious experiences of human beings. The realization that human beings are wholly physical, but with unique mental, relational, and spiritual capacities, challenges traditional views of Christian life as defined by the care of souls, a view that leads to inwardness and individuality. Psychology and neuroscience suggest the importance of developmental openness, attachment, imitation, and stories as tools in spiritual formation. Accordingly, the idea that care of embodied persons should be fundamentally social and communal sets new priorities for encouraging spiritual growth and building congregations.

Timothy R. Jennings, The God-Shaped Brain: How Changing Your View of God Transforms Your Life, InterVarsity press, 2013. What you believe about God actually changes your brain. Brain research in neuroscience has found that our thoughts and beliefs affect our physical, mental, and spiritual health. Mind and body are interrelated, and we are designed for healthy relationships of love and trust. When we understand God as good and loving, we flourish. Unfortunately, many of us have distorted images of God and mostly think of him in fearful, punitive ways. This leads us into unhealthy patterns of self-defeating behaviors and toxic relationships. But our lives can change when God renews our minds with a truer picture of him. Psychiatrist Tim Jennings unveils how our brains and bodies thrive when we have a healthy understanding of who God is. He dispels common misconceptions about God and shows how different God concepts affect the brain differently. Our brains can adapt, change, and rewire with redeemed thinking that frees us from unnecessary pain and suffering. Discover how neuroscience and Scripture come together to bring healing and transformation to our lives. This expanded edition now includes a study guide for individual reflection or group discussion, with questions for learning from Scripture, science and nature, and experience.

Eric J. Kyle, Spiritual Being & Becoming: Western Christian and Modern Scientific Views of Human Nature for Spiritual Formation, Mar. 6, 2015, Pickwick Pub. / Wipf & Stock. – It is reported that there are as many as 100 billion neurons that make up the human nervous system. This system is incredibly complex, and yet it is a fundamental part of what makes us who we are. Yet, there is far more to human beings than biology. Many academic disciplines study the human condition and there are many schools of thought within that study. We must also appreciate that the study of human nature did not begin in contemporary times. History, particularly Western Christian history, is full of texts that offer detailed explorations of the human condition. However, no consensus has yet emerged. Consensus or not, those working towards religious and spiritual formation are tasked with pursuing the transformation of their communities. This book is an attempt to provide some of the background to support this ministerial work. It seeks not only to offer a fuller understanding of some of the common views of human nature, but also insights into how we might utilize this knowledge in our ministries-- ministries that strive towards the spiritual being and becoming of our world. /// "With stellar scholarly work and profound pastoral sensibilities, Eric Kyle masterfully guides us through the perspectives of theologians, psychologists, mystics, neuroscientists, and many others whose deep curiosity about human beings, mystery, and the universe have driven them to try to answer questions of ultimate concern. Ultimately, Kyle weaves these many threads together into a fresh powerful model of Christian spiritual formation. This book offers a treasure-trove of possibilities for understanding, teaching, and engaging in the formation of the Christian spiritual life." – Andrew Dreitcer, Director of Spiritual Formation, The Claremont School of Theology, Claremont, CA /// "An incredible resource! Eric Kyle offers lucid overviews of the major theological and scientific theories of human nature, skillfully fitting them together into a single theological anthropology. He concludes with a fascinating transition from theory to practice, offering general guidelines to foster personal transformation in congregations and classrooms. Few authors on spiritual formation can rival Kyle's synthetic mind and grasp of the data." –Philip Clayton, Ingraham Professor, Claremont School of Theology, Claremont, CA /// "This innovative book explores spiritual formation through a fresh lens combining neuroscience, Western philosophy, and theological anthropology. The breadth of the book will keep readers gleaning something new from it time and again. Packed with theories, theorists, models, and charts, it takes what we know of spiritual formation and provides scholars and practitioners novel constructs to look at the field while the book's attention to context leaves the reader with the responsibility of appropriating those theories to their context." – Mark Chung Hearn, Director of Contextual Education, School of Theology and Ministry, Seattle University, Seattle, WA. /// "Thomas Aquinas would be proud. Spiritual formation has found a mind for the 21st century to systematize and synthesize the complex dynamics of human being and spiritual transformation. With the organizational clarity of an engineer and the commitment of a Dominican monk, Kyle distills wisdom from Western theology and modern science to create a unified model of human nature. This model is coherent, expansive, integrative, and practical. It sharpens our focus on how people are wired; and it offers a map for how to facilitate transformation. Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam? Aquinas is beaming." – Frank Rogers Jr., Muriel Bernice Roberts Professor of Spiritual Formation and Narrative Pedagogy, Claremont School of Theology, Claremont, CA. /// Eric J. Kyle works at the College of Saint Mary in Omaha, NE. He has taught courses in spirituality and is the author of Living Spiritual Praxis (2013) and Sacred Systems (2013).

Mark A. Maddix & Dean G. Blevins, Neuroscience and Christian Formation, ‎ Information Age Publishing Oct 10, 2016. – Why a text on neuroscience and Christian formation? Simply put, we need one that represents the range of possible intersections for today and into the future. In recent years, neuroscience's various fields of study have influenced our understanding of the person, memory, learning, development, communal interaction, and the practice of education. The book serves as an introductory textbook for Christian education/formation professors to use in Christian education or Christian formation courses at the College or Seminary level. The book is designed to provide an overview of how current research in neuroscience is impacting how we view Christian education and formation with particular attention given to faith formation, teaching, development, and worship. The first four chapters discuss how neuroscience broadly influences Christian education and formation. Chapters five through eight explore how neuroscience informs specific formational practices, from personal meditation, to intercultural encounter, to congregational formation and worship. The last four chapters explore various aspects of neuroscience along developmental lines, The book also moves from conceptual overviews to more empirical studies late in the text. Each chapter of this book can also be read and discussed individually. Each author has provided both discussion topics, suggestions for future reading within neuroscience, and discussion questions at the end of the chapter.

Abhijit Naskar, Neurons of Jesus: Mind of A Teacher, Spouse & Thinker (Neurotheology Series), Feb. 2, 2017, CreateSpace. “All of Christ’s philosophical ideas can be compressed into one simple phrase – Love thy neighbor. It elucidates the innate human kindness in the simplest manner. No creed, no institution, no book can claim the exclusive possession of this simple yet magnificent phrase of human excellence. It does not come from any book. It was born from the crying urge of humanity to break free from the shackles of orthodox indoctrination.” Abhijit Naskar is one of twenty first century’s most influential minds in Neuroscience and an untiring advocate of global harmony and peace. He became a beloved best-selling author all over the world with his very first book The Art of Neuroscience in Everything, that heralded the advent of a beautiful scientific philosophy. Neurons of Jesus is Naskar’s rejuvenating neuroscientific investigation of Christ’s philosophy. With a researcher’s flair for fresh approaches to ancient issues, he tackles the mystical controversies surrounding Christianity and Christ’s divinity. In his peerless explanatory ways, Naskar boldly reveals, Jesus was a glorious human being full of love and compassion, who stepped outside the orthodox cocoon of theoretical religion and attempted to make the society get rid of religious dogma.

Andrew Newberg M.D., Mark Robert Waldman, How God Changes Your Brain: Breakthrough Findings from a Leading Neuroscientist, Ballantine Books, Mar. 24, 2009. – Based on new evidence culled from their brain-scan studies on memory patients and meditators, their Web-based survey of people’s religious and spiritual experiences, and their analyses of adult drawings of God, neuroscientist Andrew Newberg, therapist Mark Robert Waldman, and their research team have concluded that active and positive spiritual belief changes the human brain for the better. What’s more, actual faith isn’t always necessary: atheists who meditate on positive imagery can obtain similar neurological benefits. Written in an accessible style–with illustrations highlighting how spiritual experiences affect the mind–How God Changes Your Brain offers the following breakthrough discoveries: • Not only do prayer and spiritual practice reduce stress and anxiety, but just twelve minutes of meditation per day may slow down the aging process.
• Contemplating a loving God rather than a punitive God reduces anxiety, depression, and stress and increases feelings of security, compassion, and love.
• Fundamentalism, in and of itself, is benign and can be personally beneficial, but the anger and prejudice generated by extreme beliefs can permanently damage your brain.
• Intense prayer and meditation permanently change numerous structures and functions in the brain–altering your values and the way you perceive reality. / How God Changes Your Brain is both a revelatory work of modern science and a practical guide for readers to enhance their physical and emotional health and to avoid mental decline. Newberg and Waldman explain the eight best ways to “exercise” your brain and guide readers through specific routines derived from a wide variety of Eastern and Western spiritual practices that improve personal awareness and empathy. They explain why yawning heightens consciousness and relaxation, and they teach “Compassionate Communication,” a new mediation technique that builds intimacy with family and friends in less than fifteen minutes of practice.

Curt Thompson, Anatomy of the Soul: Surprising Connections between Neuroscience and Spiritual Practices That Can Transform Your Life and Relationships, Jun 1, 2010, Tyndale Momentum – Do you want to improve your relationships and experience lasting personal change? Join Curt Thompson, M.D., on an amazing journey to discover the surprising pathways for transformation hidden inside your own mind. Integrating new findings in neuroscience and attachment with Christian spirituality, Dr. Thompson reveals how it is possible to rewire your mind, altering your brain patterns and literally making you more like the person God intended you to be. Explaining discoveries about the brain in layman’s terms, he shows how you can be mentally transformed through spiritual practices, interaction with Scripture, and connections with other people. He also provides practical exercises to help you experience healing in areas where you’ve been struggling. Insightful and challenging, Anatomy of the Soul illustrates how learning about one of God’s most miraculous creations―your brain―can enrich your life, your relationships, and your impact on the world around you.

Curt Thompson; Makoto Fujimura (Foreword) , The Soul of Desire: Discovering the Neuroscience of Longing, Beauty, and Community, InterVarsity Press, Oct 5, 2021. – In The Soul of Desire, psychiatrist Curt Thompson suggests that underneath all our longings is the desire to be known―and what's more, that this fundamental yearning manifests itself in our deep need to make things of beauty, revealing who we are to others. Desire and beauty go hand in hand. But both our craving to be known and our ability to create beauty have been marred by trauma and shame, collapsing our imagination for what God has for us and blinding us to the possibility that beauty could ever emerge from our ashes. Drawing on his work in interpersonal neurobiology and clinical practice, Thompson presents a powerful picture of the capacity of the believing community to reshape our imaginations, hold our desires and griefs together, and invite us into the beauty of God’s presence. The Soul of Desire is a mature, creative work, weaving together neuroscience and spiritual formation to open up new horizons for thinking not only about the nature of the mind, but about what it means to be human.

Jim Wilder & Michel Hendricks, The Other Half of the Church: Christian Community, Brain Science, and Overcoming Spiritual Stagnation, Moody Pub., Chicago, Aug 4, 2020 – Could brain science be the key to spiritual formation? Why does true Christian transformation seem fleeting? And why does church often feel lonely, Christian community shallow, and leaders untrustworthy? For many Christians, the delight of encountering Christ eventually dwindles—and disappointment sets in. Is lasting joy possible? These are some of the questions Michel Hendricks has considered both in his experience as a spiritual formation pastor and in his lifetime as a Christian. He began to find answers when he met Jim Wilder—a neuro-theologian. Using brain science, Wilder identified that there are two halves of the church: the rational half and the relational half. And when Christians only embrace the rational half, churches become unhealthy places where transformation doesn’t last and narcissistic leaders flourish. In The Other Half of Church, join Michel and Jim's journey as they couple brain science with the Bible to identify how to overcome spiritual stagnation by living a full-brained faith. You'll also learn the four ingredients necessary to develop and maintain a vibrant transformational community where spiritual formation occurs, relationships flourish, and the toxic spread of narcissism is eradicated.

6) Spirituality

Thomas M Crisp, Steven L. Porter, et al., Neuroscience and the Soul: The Human Person in Philosophy, Science, and Theology, Nov 20, 2016, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. – It is a widely held belief that human beings are both body and soul, that our immaterial soul is distinct from our material body. But that traditional idea has been seriously questioned by much recent research in the brain sciences. In Neuroscience and the Soul fourteen distinguished scholars grapple with current debates about the existence and nature of the soul. Featuring a dialogical format, the book presents state-of-the-art work by leading philosophers and theologians—some arguing for the existence of the soul, others arguing against it—and then puts those scholars into conversation with critics of their views. Bringing philosophy, theology, and science together in this way brings to light new perspectives and advances the ongoing debate over body and soul. CONTRIBUTORS: Robin Collins, John W. Cooper, Kevin Corcoran, Stewart Goetz, William Hasker, Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen, Eric LaRock, Brian Lugioyo, J. P. Moreland, Timothy O'Connor, Jason D. Runyan, Kevin Sharpe, Daniel Speak, Richard Swinburne.

Muriel I. Elmer & Duane H. Elmer, The Learning Cycle: Insights for Faithful Teaching from Neuroscience and the Social Sciences, Apr 21, 2020, IVP Academic.

Dr. Jay Lombard and Patrick J. Kennedy, The Mind of God: Neuroscience, Faith, and a Search for the Soul, Harmony (June 13, 2017). – Is there a God? It’s a question billions of people have asked since the dawn of time. You would think by now we’d have a satisfactory, universal answer. No such luck…Or maybe we do and we just need to look in the right place. For Dr. Jay Lombard that place is the brain, and more importantly the mind, that center of awareness and consciousness that creates reality. In The Mind of God, Dr. Lombard employs case studies from his own behavioral neurology practice to explore the spiritual conundrums that we all ask ourselves: What is the nature of God? Does my life have purpose? What's the meaning of our existence? Are we free? What happens to us when we die? For Lombard, these metaphysical questions are a jumping-off point for exploring the brain in search of the seat of the soul. It is neuroscience, the author contends, and how we and our brains interpret what’s going on around us that can lead us to a deeper and more fulfilling faith. Mixing his personal experiences in the medical field (including compelling cases such as the male patient who really thought he was pregnant and a woman who literally scared herself to death) along with his own visionary insight into spiritual experience, Lombard has much to tell us about the nature and power of belief—and what we can do to focus our beliefs in a positive direction. If you want to find more meaning in your life or are searching for a deeper understanding of why we believe what we believe, then this book can lead to an exciting transformation in the way you see and understand the world around you. With cutting-edge research and provocative case studies, renowned behavioral neurologist provides insights to some of the most curious spiritual questions of mortality.

Lisa Miller, The Awakened Brain: The New Science of Spirituality and Our Quest for an Inspired Life, Random House, Aug. 17, 2021.

Lisa J. Miller, The Oxford Handbook of Psychology and Spirituality, Oxford University Press (August 3, 2012).

David W. Opderbeck, The End of the Law?: Law, Theology, and Neuroscience (Veritas Book 41), Cascade Books (August 24, 2021).

Brad Sickler, God on the Brain: What Cognitive Science Does (and Does Not) Tell Us about Faith, Human Nature, and the Divine, Jul 21, 2020, ‎Crossway. – Advances in modern science have dramatically increased our understanding of the human brain.  While this progress has helped improve many lives, it has also raised many philosophical and theological questions. Researchers are increasingly presenting the brain as comprising the totality of a person. But is this a fair assessment? Bradley Sickler offers a timely theological, scientific, and philosophical analysis of cognitive science, arguing that the brain is more complex than what can be explained by science alone. Navigating questions about the brain, religion, and science, Sickler guides readers to confidently affirm that the Christian worldview offers the most compelling vision of the true nature of humanity.

7) Christian Compassion Cultivation - Papers

Min-Dong Paul Lee (Prof. of Business. Wheaton College), “Toward a Transformative and Sustainable Practice of Compassion in Workplaces,” Journal of Biblical Integration in Business, Vol 21, #1, Fall 2018, 21-33. – ABSTRACT: Compassion has received much attention in recent organizational scholarship as an important factor for creating an emotionally healthy workplace. This study contributes to the growing literature on organizational compassion by seeing compassion through the lens of Christian biblical theology. The biblical word for compassion is an emotive-action word that always demands holistic involvement of the compassion-giver in response to others’ suffering. Moreover, it requires interpersonal commitment and comes at a significant cost to the compassion-giver. Such understanding of compassion can help organizational leaders better appreciate the potential and limits of compassion and nurture truly transformative and sustainable practice of compassion in organizations.

Joung Hee Kim, “Walking Contemplative Practice: Its Christian Origins, Neuroscientific Analysis, and Integration with Compassion Practice.” (PhD dissertation in progress). Ph.D. candidate in spiritual formation at Claremont School of Theology.

Sung-Jin Yang, “Cultivating Compassionate Living Grounded in a Christian Approach in the Violent World,” Methodist Theological University, Korea; 2014 REA (Religious Education Association), Annual Meeting, Nov. 7-9, 2014. – extensive citation of CEC authors: Dreitcer, Rogers, Yaconelli.

8) Christian Compassion Cultivation Articles

Shaun Lambert, “Loving your Neighbour as Yourself & Mindful Self-Compassion,” Mind & Soul Foundation (UK), Mar. 27, 2015 – EXCERPT: As Christian communities we need to practice compassion and teach self-compassion, we need to engage with mindfulness. We need to inform people about compassion-based therapies like CFT and MSC, as well as mindfulness-based therapies like Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT). We need to train in such therapies, and mine the rich resources on compassion and mindfulness within the Christian tradition to create new therapies and meditations. At the heart of Jesus’ teaching is an emphasis on love and compassion, he is not a fear-based teacher. Love matters, and love does, literally, change us – for the better.

9) Related / Miscellaneous

Karen Armstrong, Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life, Knopf, 2010. – One of the most original thinkers on the role of religion in the modern world—author of such acclaimed books as A History of God, Islam, and Buddha—now gives us an impassioned and practical book that can help us make the world a more compassionate place. Karen Armstrong believes that while compassion is intrinsic in all human beings, each of us needs to work diligently to cultivate and expand our capacity for compassion. Here, in this straightforward, thoughtful, and thought-provoking book, she sets out a program that can lead us toward a more compassionate life. The twelve steps Armstrong suggests begin with “Learn About Compassion” and close with “Love Your Enemies.” In between, she takes up “compassion for yourself,” mindfulness, suffering, sympathetic joy, the limits of our knowledge of others, and “concern for everybody.” She suggests concrete ways of enhancing our compassion and putting it into action in our everyday lives, and provides, as well, a reading list to encourage us to “hear one another’s narratives.” Throughout, Armstrong makes clear that a compassionate life is not a matter of only heart or mind but a deliberate and often life-altering commingling of the two.

John Ortberg, “Can Neuroscience Help Us Disciple Anyone? Brain Science And the Renewal of Your Mind.” Christianity Today Leadership Journal, Summer 2014, pp. 19-22. (superficial: vague and general).

Eric Kyle, “Spiritualizing Mind: A Brain-based Approach to Formation,” 2011 REA Annual Meeting: Brain Matters; 4-6 November, Toronto, Ontario. – This paper focuses on how neuroscience can help to inform spiritual formation programs. Beginning with an introduction to brain anatomy, this paper will lay the groundwork for understanding the three meta-regions of the brain: the brainstem and cerebellum; the limbic system; and the neo-cortex. With this framework in place, we will then explore five general kinds of approaches that are found in spiritual formation and how these can form the three meta-regions. Overall, this paper will provide religious educators with a neuroscience foundation that can inform and guide their work.

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