Dr. Stan Wallace's Book, Have We Lost Our Minds? Neuroscience, Neurotheology, the Soul, and Human Flourishing

Have We Lost Our Minds?

With advances in neuroscience, many Christians are confused about what the soul is and its role in human flourishing. This confusion is rapidly increasing through the writings of “neurotheologians” such as Curt Thompson and Jim Wilder, who imply our brains are ultimately the cause of our thoughts, beliefs, desires, choices, and very identity. 

This book identifies and corrects the wrong assumptions of neurotheologians, outlines a biblically and philosophically sound understanding of our soul and its relation to the body, and illustrates how this understanding is the right path toward more fully loving God and loving others.  

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Why I Wrote This Book

Given the growing prominence of neurotheology, we must be careful to follow the Lord’s admonition in 1 Thessalonians 5:21: “Examine everything; hold firmly to that which is good.” I serve with Global Scholars, a ministry that equips Christian professors to be the “aroma of Christ” (2 Cor 2:15) in higher education globally. In my role, I regularly encourage Christian professors to consider how they may serve Christ by engaging the ideas in their fields of study from a biblical worldview. In what follows, I will attempt to practice what I preach, examining the ideas of neurotheology from my areas of expertise so as to determine what is true and therefore what is right and good to believe.”

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Endorsements

Dr. Stan Wallace has done a masterful, gracious, yet firm job of carefully and accurately exposing these harmful ideas….He also presents a compelling biblical alternative…that explains all the relevant facts of neuroscience, aligns with our spiritual experience, and has far-reaching practical applications.
Dr. J.P. MorelandDistinguished Professor of Philosophy at Talbot School of Theology and co-author of The Substance of Consciousness
Have We Lost Our Minds? is a game-changer...a corrective field guide to human flourishing….I highly recommend this book for anyone seeking a practical understanding of the nature of persons.
Rev. Jimmy DoddFounder and President of PastorServe and author of What Great Ministry Leaders Get Right
‘Good philosophy must exist,’ C.S. Lewis wrote, ‘if for no other reason, because bad philosophy needs to be answered.’ That’s exactly what Stan Wallace gives us…a clear, articulate description of the beautiful, robust reality of … who we truly are.
John StonestreetPresident of the Colson Center and author of A Practical Guide to Culture
Our concept of the human person….matters for our Christian faith, witness, worldviews, and practices. Using Scripture, theology, philosophy, and working examples, Stan Wallace’s book thoughtfully probes the body-soul-brain dynamic….I have a deeper, richer understanding.
Dr. Shirley J. RoelsExecutive Director of the International Network for Christian Higher Education and co-author of Business Through the Eyes of Faith
An important – indeed, critical – book that clears away serious misunderstandings as well as misrepresentations regarding spiritual formation and neuroscience….He also offers a constructive, biblical alternative to point us in the proper direction.
Dr. Paul CopanChair of Philosophy and Ethics, Palm Beach Atlantic University and author of True for You, But Not for Me: Overcoming Objections to Christian Faith
I heartily recommend Stan Wallace's timely book--a fraternal but forceful critique of 'neurotheology,’....Wallace…encourages appropriation of sound neuroscience within the historic Christian perspective that affirms the basic distinctness and holistic integration of both body and soul.
Dr. John W. CooperProfessor Emeritus of Philosophical Theology, Calvin Theological Seminary and author of Body, Soul and Life Everlasting: Biblical Anthropology and the Monism-Dualism Debate
Spiritual transformation into Christlikeness is personal--which is to say it happens only to persons. Therefore we cannot successfully pursue it without knowing that which comprises a person. In Have We Lost Our Minds, Stan Wallace guides readers through the most current thinking, bringing clarity to pursuing Christian spirituality with our whole being, focusing especially on one's bodily brain and eternal soul.
Bishop Todd Hunterfounding bishop of The Diocese of Churches for the Sake of Others (Anglican Church North America) and author of What Jesus Intended: Finding True Faith in the Rubble of Bad Religion

About the Author

Stan has been involved in helping others “think Christianly” since 1985 when he began ministering to university students. He became more engaged in these topics in 1992 when his focus shifted to ministry among university professors, leading him to graduate studies in philosophy and Christian thought. Over the past several decades Stan has published in ministry and academic journals, contributed to a number of books, and edited several others. He currently serves as President of Global Scholars, a ministry equipping Christian scholars worldwide to have a redemptive influence among their students, colleagues, universities, and academic disciplines.