Neuroscience and the concept of neurotheology is a somewhat new term that has emerged on the horizon intersecting brain science and theology. Well known neurotheologist Jim Wilder explains it this way: “The essential idea behind neurotheology is that the brain is designed for attachment to God and works best when we are in loving relationship with Him. The good news is that we become like those whom we love, so if our primary attachment is to God, then we’ll become more like Him.”

Most of us can relate to this description and feel the repercussions of when we feel distant or disconnected from God. One of my blogs in Emmaus Road Ministries, I mentioned that our two most painful feelings in the world are separation from God and from Self. To gain a better understanding of how this happens, we can turn to neuroscience for some answers.

What is Neurotheology?

The beauty of scientific discoveries about the brain is that it confirms what scripture has been teaching us all along. Researchers are making great strides in understanding the brain and human nature and to a greater degree the mind-body connection. This is paving the way for a seamless convergence of neuroscience and theology; neurotheology. We attribute our growing understanding from neurotheologians such as Dallas Wilard, Jim Wilder, Karl Lehman and others. With this growing understanding we can look to Ephesians 3 that supports their findings of knowing and experiencing. 

3 Areas to Consider

What is really fascinating is how neurotheology has been instrumental in leading believers to healing and healthy transformations. Jim Wilder, has identified three areas to consider in your journey: 

1.  One-third of our brain develops after we are born and is greatly affected in its growth through relational experiences resulting in joy; I am happy to be with you. In other words, it matters who you spend your time with. Joy is important to the brain and its growth as Jesus placed a high value on joy. The Psalmist describes drawing joy from the wells of salvation. 
2. Growing our identity in Christ through a mutual mind state. People change through joy not knowledge and with healthy love attachments. We share a mutual mind state with others when we are tracking with them, we are able to be on the same page, seen and understood. We connect with the mind behind the face we are looking at. God wants to have a mutual mind state with us, thus having the mind of Christ as we experience His presence in real time. God does guide us to have a heart like his. We think of the scripture, You will hear a voice behind you saying, “Walk in this way.” 
3. The pre-frontal cortex of your brain (right behind your forehead) contains your identity and when you look at its formation it is configured as though three faces are looking at each other and interacting. Its neurological signals give three points of view; think of themselves as me so at the same time I am one person and three persons mentally which correlates beautifully with the trinity. We are made in God’s image – a blueprint found in the identity center of our brain. 

In Summary

Neurotheology continues to break new ground in our understanding of brain science and our relationship with Christ. We can just take this one discovery (among a host of thousands) alone in how we grow and change. We know it is always in the context of relationship as God is relational with a high value for joy. He has wired us to respond to joy in a way that creates a secure attachment to Him as we spend time in His presence in real time. The blueprint of his image is lodged in the identity center of our brain.  I love what Justin Abraham says, “I am in Him, He is in me and we share oneness. I love you and you love me.”

As we allow this truth to settle in our heart, we are forming a secure attachment to God growing our capacity for joy. We heal and grow and change in safety and security. God has gone before us and laid the foundation for us to live and move and have our being.