How neurological findings can help Christianity

[grafs50]

Let me begin by saying that I really don’t believe that this thread belongs in Philosophy, as it is not necessarily a philosophical discussion, but it seemed to fit the topic best.

Is their any research into how neuroscience, psychology (particularly the more scientific disciplines of it), and psychoendocrinology affect how we should see ourselves as Christians?

I ask this because, as we are supposed to learn about ourselves and our relationship with God from the natural order, why wouldn’t we use these studies to help? What can be more natural to us than how our own bodies are function and influence us?

As a specific example, testosterone gives us a want to strive for social status. Yet, many Christians believe this is wrong in all circumstances. Why would God have given testosterone this effect, then? We can approach this yearning in moral ways; which is what I believe we are meant to do. Examples include morally-sound politicians, knighthood in the middle ages, etc. I just do not understand how Christianity seems to be ignoring such a potent study of ourselves.

 

[bzkoss236]

Testosterone also increases your sex drive, that doesn’t mean we should give into our sex drive at every turn.

 

[Transalosania]

This sums up how many view life, they just simply cannot look beyond the flesh, As Our lord said That which is born of the flesh is flesh. That which is born of the Spirit is spirit

 

[polytropos]

As a specific example, testosterone gives us a want to strive for social status. Yet, many Christians believe this is wrong in all circumstances. Why would God have given testosterone this effect, then? We can approach this yearning in moral ways; which is what I believe we are meant to do. Examples include morally-sound politicians, knighthood in the middle ages, etc. I just do not understand how Christianity seems to be ignoring such a potent study of ourselves.

I don’t think Christians believe that social status is wrong “in all circumstances” - or if they do, it’s because they haven’t thought about it. Humans live in society, and social status is useful if power is properly wielded.

 

[grafs50]

Testosterone also increases your sex drive, that doesn’t mean we should give into our sex drive at every turn.

That’s not what i mean though! Our sex drive is useful ** if used according to the purpose for which it was meant**. Similarly, there must be an appropriate expression for all of the impulses that out bodies give to us. Impulses were only passions if they are disordered. If an impulse was intrinsically wrong, God would not have given it to us. This is why i believe that we can learn in some ways about how we are meant to act from how we are urged to act by our bodies.

I hope i have been score to explain myself correct. Also, I’m on a mobile device so i apologize for any random words that don’t make sense. Autocorrect .

 

[tonyrey]

I don’t think Christians believe that social status is wrong “in all circumstances” - or if they do, it’s because they haven’t thought about it. Humans live in society, and social status is useful if power is properly wielded.

It is dangerous to generalise about such complex beings as embodied persons. Free will, ignorance and irresistible desires also have to be taken into account. Neurology gives us a very incomplete picture of human nature but it can help us decide to a certain extent whether we are responsible for our behaviour - although only God knows the whole truth.

 

[grafs50]

Sorry I took so long to reply!

Thanks for everybody’s ideas. I’m gonna think over them and probably post my response later.

 

[CopticChristian]

Let me begin by saying that I really don’t believe that this thread belongs in Philosophy, as it is not necessarily a philosophical discussion, but it seemed to fit the topic best.

Is their any research into how neuroscience, psychology (particularly the more scientific disciplines of it), and psychoendocrinology affect how we should see ourselves as Christians?

I ask this because, as we are supposed to learn about ourselves and our relationship with God from the natural order, why wouldn’t we use these studies to help? What can be more natural to us than how our own bodies are function and influence us?

As a specific example, testosterone gives us a want to strive for social status. Yet, many Christians believe this is wrong in all circumstances. Why would God have given testosterone this effect, then? We can approach this yearning in moral ways; which is what I believe we are meant to do. Examples include morally-sound politicians, knighthood in the middle ages, etc. I just do not understand how Christianity seems to be ignoring such a potent study of ourselves.

I am not sure what you are driving at however if you are focusing on the effect then perhaps the focus is incorrect.

Ask yourself about the Endocrine system in general. We are created with hormones, chemicals that are produced in one place and that act at a distance and under the control of other organs, the hypothalmus and the pituatary. Testosterone has many effects that would include maintaining bone density. When you consider the Gestalt of the hormonal system in the creation of who we are rather than one effect then the discussion changes from…

What does testosterone do, promoting masculinity, mainatining muscle mass, libido and bone density…to what is it, where is it manufactured, how does it act, what controls it…?

to cholesterol formation, the liver, diet and the entirety of what this particular hormone is as it does what it does, under the control of what controls it and how it is made…

Looking at just the effects misses the point of the marvel of the creation of the Endocrine System, diet, the liver and looking at your arm flexed with a muscle, strong bone, etc…to what got you there.