NDLI: Beyond Original Sin: A Paradigm Shift for the Age of Neuroscience

Content Provider	Springer Nature Link
Author	Bingaman, Kirk A.
Copyright Year	2012
Abstract	In this article I explore the implications of Jesus’ location of the kingdom of heaven in the lived experience of the individual and of the findings of neuroscientific research for a paradigm shift in Christian theology, one that moves us beyond the Adamic myth and belief in original sin. Support for a theological paradigm shift based on lived experience is provided by Capps (1993) and for this particular paradigm shift by Pagels (1989) and Ricoeur (2004). I point out that the doctrine of original sin supports and fosters the negativity bias of the brain and inhibits the resculpting of the brain. Drawing on Hanson’s (2009) evidence in support of the brain’s neuroplasticity (i.e., its capacity to change itself) and on Brach’s (2003) critique of the “trance of unworthiness,” I make the case for meditative and mindful awareness practices in Christianity and other religious traditions as proven methods for the resculpting of the brain in order that individuals may experience greater joy, contentment, and awareness of the goodness of life and of God’s creation. A longitudinal neuroscientific research study of Roman Catholic nuns (Newberg and Waldman 2009) provides evidence in support of the role of contemplative prayer and meditation in generating the joy and serenity that Jesus’ allusion to the hidden treasure envisions.
Starting Page	411
Ending Page	422
Page Count	12
File Format	PDF
ISSN	00312789
Journal	Pastoral Psychology
Volume Number	61
Issue Number	4
e-ISSN	15736679
Language	English
Publisher	Springer US
Publisher Date	2012-02-26
Publisher Place	Boston
Access Restriction	One Nation One Subscription (ONOS)
Subject Keyword	Kingdom of heaven The hidden treasure Original sin Adamic myth Paradigm shift Paul Ricoeur Neuroscience Negativity bias Rick Hanson Neuroplasticity Resculpting Trance of unworthiness Tara Brach Meditation Contemplative prayer Andrew Newberg Roman Catholic nuns Sociology Clinical Psychology Cross Cultural Psychology Religious Studies
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Article
Subject	Sociology and Political Science Religious Studies Social Psychology Applied Psychology

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1	Ministry of Education (GoI), Department of Higher Education	Sanctioning Authority	https://www.education.gov.in/ict-initiatives
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3	National Digital Library of India Office, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur	The administrative and infrastructural headquarters of the project	Dr. B. Sutradhar bsutra@ndl.gov.in
4	Project PI / Joint PI	Principal Investigator and Joint Principal Investigators of the project	Dr. B. Sutradhar bsutra@ndl.gov.in Prof. Saswat Chakrabarti will be added soon
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