The divergent philosophies of both Freud and Lewis are an admixture of early childhood history, pain and suffering, as well as thoughtful philosophical analysis. Their lives and the conclusions they reach give the lie to a mutually exclusive conflict model between science and faith. It’s just not that simple.
A closer reading of scripture uncovers a significant similarity between Harvard’s study and God’s foundational design for relationships. From God’s declaration that it wasn’t good for Adam to be alone (Genesis 2:18) to the establishment of the church by Jesus, relationships are shown as fundamental to a believer’s fulfillment and happiness.
One of the gifts that’s come to my pastoral ministry at Bidwell Presbyterian Church is neurorehabilitation psychologist Leonard Matheson. Len and I began by talking about a “biopsychosocial” approach to medicine. We also looked at the role of oxytocin and the hippocampus and connected all of it to scripture and faith.
Ritual does the important work of binding us together with other people… Ritual helps us engage in synchronous behavior with other people. We recognize our kin because they act like us. A group of people who are all standing and sitting and chanting the same way are activating their kin recognition circuits. Unconsciously, they think, “These people are my family.” If we want to help a congregation feel like family, ritual is one of the biggest ways.
C.S. Lewis talked about how some of us are more prone to particular ways of being in the world. It could be easier or harder depending on how we are prone, but we’re still called to live a holier life.
Today, we’re launching our psychology for ministry series in partnership with Blueprint 1543. We start with a conversation with a psychologist who has spent nearly four decades building bridges between science and the church. Mark McMinn, recently retired from George Fox University, has worked assessing ministry practices and spiritual formation.