Anatomy of the Soul: Surprising Connections between Neuroscience and Spiritual Practices That Can Transform Your Life and Relationships

261 Pages·2016·1.05 MB·English

by  Curt Thompson

A fascinating synthesis of religion and science, Anatomy of the Soul offers an
illuminating journey through the Bible and the brain that has profoundly
practical implications for how to live our lives more fully. Curt Thompson is a
passionate student of both ways of knowing, bringing his unique perspective as a
practicing psychiatrist and devout Christian to illuminate the overlap between
the teachings of Jesus and the New Testament with my own field, interpersonal
neurobiology. With an eloquent mastery of the interdisciplinary principles of the
mind, the brain, and intimate relationships, our guide illustrates the healing
power of integration at the heart of love, compassion, and well-being. Readers
from religious and secular backgrounds alike will find this accessible and
absorbing intersection of these two worlds to be deeply educational and
inspiring.
Daniel J. Siegel, M.D., author of Mindsight: The New Science of Personal
Transformation; founding editor, Norton Series on Interpersonal
Neurobiology; executive director, Mindsight Institute
As a bookseller who reads widely, I can say that it is not every day that a truly
great book comes along by an exceptionally proficient psychiatrist who is also a
good writer, a fabulous storyteller, and a mature Christian in love with the things
of God, who yearns for the wholeness of God’s Kingdom. It is also rare when
the serious science of brain studies is explained in a way that is both interesting
and immediately helpful, as well as rooted in a vital biblical perspective. For
some of us, reading neurological lingo makes our brains go soft. Trust me on
this, though: whether you are a person who wants to improve the stability and
joy of your daily living, a follower of Jesus who wants to deepen your
experience of spirituality, or a helping professional who wants to integrate
comtemporary scientific theories with a distinctively Christian worldview,
Anatomy of the Soul will be a thrill to read.
Byron Borger, Hearts & Minds Bookstore, Dallastown, Pennsylvania
It has long been noted that God has two books: the book of special revelation
(the Bible) and the book of nature. In Anatomy of the Soul psychiatrist Curt
Thompson convincingly demonstrates that the book of nature, through recent
neurological findings, can broaden and deepen our understandings of the
Christian life. With rich insight and clarity, Thompson forges new paths in
comprehending the marvels and mysteries of our Creator, who made us to live
integrated lives centered in his designs and purposes.
Dennis P. Hollinger, Ph.D., president and Colman M. Mockler
Distinguished Professor of Christian Ethics, Gordon-Conwell Theological
Seminary
Curt Thompson probes deeply into the truth of the self in its relational,
emotional, and imaginative dimensions beneath the tight technological
propensities of our society. He does so with remarkable agility as he moves
between his special expertise in neuroscience and his firm grasp of theological
verities. His title, a phrase from John Calvin, goes beyond “anatomy as
metaphor” in Calvin to take “anatomy” seriously as a dimension in spiritual
health. Thompson writes in an accessible way, his argument being illuminated
by many specific narratives of persons enroute to deeper health that is grounded
and wholistic. This will be, for many readers, a category-changing read.
Walter Brueggemann, Columbia Theological Seminary
A must-read for those who desire to know and understand the spiritual journey.
Dr. Tim CLinton, president, American Association of Christian Counselors
Anatomy of the Soul is a very important book that beautifully integrates
knowledge from the field of neuroscience with insight from the worlds of
psychology and spirituality. Such integrative work needs to be done in order to
have a holistic view of how people grow and transform—which is at the heart of
the gospel message. Thompson’s contribution is extremely valuable!
Ruth Haley Barton, president, Transforming Center; author of Sacred
Rhythms: Arranging Our Lives for Spiritual Transformation
There are far too many books these days that insult either your intellect or your
faith in God . . . or both. Anatomy of the Soul does just the opposite. In it, Curt
Thompson weaves together the very new insights of brain scientists, the ageless
wisdom of the Bible, and his own experiences as a therapist and follower of
Jesus into a genuine volume of hope. There aren’t many psychiatrists I know
well enough to enthusiastically recommend, but Curt is certainly at the top of
that list.
Tony Campolo, professor emeritus, Eastern University; author of Red Letter
Christians
Integrating psychology and Christianity is messy business. Critics come from
many sides, quickly dismissing even the notion of a Christian approach to
psychology. Dr. Thompson brings a unique message that challenges all of us to
consider counseling, medicine, and a relationship with Christ. His heart for
helping those who hurt, combined with his head for medicine and science, blend
into an arguable case for rethinking this integration. Dr. Thompson has been my
friend for years, and I’m thrilled for others to hear his wisdom and insight, and
gain greater hope.
Dr. Michael Easley, former president, Moody Bible Institute; lead pastor,
Fellowship Bible Church, Nashville, Tennessee
People of science should read this book for what it will teach them about faith,
and people of faith should read it for what it will teach them about neuroscience.
People who are hurting should read this book for what they can learn about
mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical healing—one of the true meanings of
the word salvation. The author is a practicing psychiatrist and a person of faith
who understands both. In this book, he does a delicate dance between science
and religion without missing a step, affirming Einstein’s famous maxim,
“Science without religion is lame; religion without science is blind.”
William J. Carl III, Ph.D., president, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary;
author of The Lord’s Prayer forToday
Anyone who cares a whit about emotional health, marital satisfaction, effective
parenting, or hope for the future should carefully savor Anatomy of the Soul.
Here, science affirms the great promise of Romans 12: that recalibrated minds
produce transformed lives, and that such inner retooling can inoculate entire
family systems from crippling emotional, relational, and spiritual legacies. Dr.
Thompson’s inspiring road map offers clarity and empowerment, not only for
personal journeys and relationships, but also for ministries seeking to apply
potent spiritual principles to the basic stuff of life.
Beverly Hubble Tauke, LCSW, therapist and family counselor, Cornerstone
Family Counseling, Fairfax, Virginia; author of Healing Your Family Tree
With wit and wisdom, illuminated by years of successful psychiatric practice and
a profound engagement with Scripture, Curt Thompson leads us on a fascinating
look at how recent discoveries in neuroscience can inform our understanding of
ourselves and aid us in transforming our lives. Most strikingly, Dr. Thompson
compellingly describes at the level of neurology what the Bible and religious
experience have long testified to: the genuine possibility of renewing our minds!
This book is hopeful and helpful, practical and potent. I recommend it to anyone
who seeks to deepen their faithfulness and connection to God, their family and
friends, and themselves.
Dr. Jeffrey Dudiak, associate professor of philosophy, The King’s
University College, Edmonton; author of The Intrigue of Ethics
This book is a must-read for those who are interested in spirituality and human
transformation. Drawing from the latest scientific research on how people think,
feel, perceive, and remember, as well as his own professional experience, Dr.
Curt Thompson brings biblical insights to life in ways that not only make the
Scriptures understandable but also illumine the life-changing experiences that
biblical authors are writing about. If you’ve ever pondered what the apostle Paul
means by inviting us to “be transformed by the renewing of your mind,” you will
find a good number of answers by simply reading this book. I enthusiastically
recommend it!
Paul N. Anderson, professor of biblical and Quaker studies, George Fox
University, Newberg, Oregon
Very few understand the interplay of the brain and the soul as helpfully as Curt
Thompson. Because he writes out of a rich experience of counseling hurting
people, his awareness of our deepest pains is not simply clinical but personal as
well. This is a hope-filled book that not only helps me understand fresh ways to
minister to people who come to me in pain but also helps me understand myself
better.
better.
The Rev. Dr. John W. Yates II, author and speaker; rector of The Falls
Church, Falls Church, Virginia
A few pages into Anatomy of the Soul, you will figure out that Curt Thompson
has done lots of thinking about the ways people feel, and lots of feeling about the
ways people think. Before long, you’ll figure out that Curt has also helped lots of
people figure out what their thinking and feeling brains have to do with their
relationship with God and everyone else in their lives. By book’s end, you’ll
think and feel differently yourself, and you’ll realize a happy fact: he’s helped
you too.
Bart Campolo, speaker, writer, activist; The Walnut Hills Fellowship,
Cincinnati, Ohio
Anatomy of the Soul is your one-stop resource for better understanding yourself.
Dr. Curt Thompson has somehow managed to write a book that contains
biology, psychology, theology, and a half dozen other “-ologies” that is, at the
same time, incredibly easy to read and comprehend. The book has impacted me
in a deeply personal way.
Lisa Whelchel, actress, speaker, and author of Creative Correction
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Anatomy of the Soul: Surprising Connections between Neuroscience and
Spiritual Practices That Can Transform Your Life and Relationships
Copyright © 2010 by Curt Thompson. All rights reserved.
Cover blue background copyright © by iStockphoto. All rights reserved.
Cover image of brain copyright © by Digital Vision/Getty Images. All
rights reserved.
Cover image of active neurons copyright © by Sebastian
Kaulitzki/iStockphoto. All rights reserved.
Author photo copyright © 2007 by Harriet Lewis. All rights reserved.
Designed by Beth Sparkman
Published in association with the literary agency of Nunn
Communications, Inc., 1612 Ginger Drive, Carrollton, TX 75007.
Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, Today’s New International Version.®
TNIV.® Copyright © 2001, 2005 by Biblica, Inc.TM Used by permission of
Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
The examples in this book are fictional composites based on the author’s
clinical experience with hundreds of patients through the years. All
names are invented, and any resemblance between these fictional
characters and actual persons is coincidental.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Thompson,
Curt, M.D.
Anatomy of the soul : surprising connections between neuroscience and
spiritual practices that can transform your life and relationships / Curt
Thompson.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references (p. ).
ISBN 978-1-4143-3414-1 (hc) — ISBN 978-1-4143-3415-8 (sc) 1. Brain
—Religious aspects—Christianity. 2. Christianity—Psychology. I. Title.
BT702.T493 2010
261.5´15—dc22 2010002452
To Phyllis,
Rachel, and Nathan,
who have together given me the gift
of being known