123 Quotes About Neurotheology

When grace-filled relationships are the greatest joy in life, the artificial high that addictions bring lose their pull. Grace is not just something “nice.” It is essential for a healthy brain and life-giving relationships.

Life played God’s way is a relational sport. Played well, it volleys back and for the between the Trinity and us, between us and others. Discipleship has been given to the grace training we undergo; this implies that we are intentional about processes of learning, self-discipline, and life application as is led by God.

Isn’t our goal to become increasingly like Jesus? We get to know the Master because we live with him. As apprentices you and I can’t have a relationship with Him just because we have read a book about his way of life. While I may admire the man, that is like saying I am like Winston Churchill just because I read one of his memoirs.

Ongoing apprenticeship is crucial because it forms a relational connection between Jesus and us, His followers. Whatever language you choose, apprenticeship/discipleship is picture of the same process. It’s less “knowing about,” and more “knowing for yourself.” The experience engages our whole hearts the process of relating and refining in love.

The alternative to apprenticeship is life under self-imposed religious legalism. It sounds like, “I don’t really want to know the Master, just tell me what to do.” That was sad story of the Pharisees who thought it would be better to crucify Jesus than allow challenge to their legalism.

When we function out of fear, we end up “doing the God thing” without God. Driven by fear, we opt for control and control numbs us to the value of relationships – especially our relationship with God.

Abiding apprenticeship to Jesus protects us from religion’s common dysfunctions.

It is outrageously foolish to dismiss relationships as “fluff” or “nice things to have.” God designed relationships to provide the central organizing experiences and the primary vehicle by which we learn to experience and respond to all of life.

Trinitarian relationships are particularly important to the brain. Grace-filled interactions with two people are necessary for our brain and identity to become stable and complete. Neuroscientists call these “three-way bonds” or “family bonds.