1st Edition
Explorations in Neuroscience, Psychology and Religion
In the 1990s great strides were taken in clarifying how the brain is involved in behaviors that, in the past, had seldom been studied by neuroscientists or psychologists. This book explores the progress begun during that momentous decade in understanding why we behave, think and feel the way we do, especially in those areas that interface with religion. What is happening in the brain when we have a religious experience? Is the soul a product of the mind which is, in turn, a product of the brain? If so, what are the implications for the Christian belief in an afterlife? If God created humans for the purpose of having a relationship with him, should we expect to find that our spirituality is a biologically evolved human trait? What effect might a disease such as Alzheimer's have on a person's spirituality and relationship with God? Neuroscience and psychology are providing information relevant to each of these questions, and many Christians are worried that their religious beliefs are being threatened by this research. Kevin Seybold attempts to put their concerns to rest by presenting some of the scientific findings coming from these disciplines in a way that is understandable yet non-threatening to Christian belief.
Biography
Kevin S. Seybold is Professor of Psychology at Grove City College, Pennsylvania, USA.
’... a thoroughly enjoyable and rewarding read especially for those who want to update on the cutting edge of neuroscience and evolutionary psychology from a believer's perspective.’ Metapsychology ’In sum, readers of PSCF will find this volume well worth reading - both for the surveys it supplies and for the paradigm that it affirms. Seybold can assume he has a place as a seminal Christian psychologist.’ Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith ’Succinctly, lucidly, and accessibly, he covers, in nine chapters, neuroscience, psychology, religion, philosophy of science, integration issues (important for evangelical institutions of higher education), brain and religion, the self, evolutionary psychology, and the interface of religion/spirituality and health. Most helpful is the effective pastoral sensitivity with which Seybold tackles many of the issues so that the intended evangelical readership is exposed to the major points of contention in a way that is nonthreatening to the faithful.’ Religious Studies Review
