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Have We Lost Our Minds?

As promoted on Think Biblically, Cross Examined, The Lausanne Movement Podcast, Summit Ministries, and Pastor Serve.

With advances in neuroscience, many Christians are confused about what the soul is and its role in human flourishing. This confusion is rapidly increasing through the writings of “neurotheologians” such as Curt Thompson and Jim Wilder, who imply our brains are ultimately the cause of our thoughts, beliefs, desires, choices, character, and very identity.* 

This book identifies and corrects the wrong assumptions of neurotheologians, outlines a biblically and philosophically sound understanding of our soul and its relation to the body, and illustrates how this understanding is the right path toward more fully loving God, loving others, and flourishing.  

*Here are some passages in Wilder and Thompson’s books that prompted me to write Have We Lost Our Minds?

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Would you like to discuss Have We Lost Our Minds? with others? Use these Discussion Group Questions to have a thought-provoking and productive conversation!

Audio Book Sample

Book Reviews

"Have We Lost Our Minds? is a helpful addition to ongoing conversations on human nature. Anyone wanting to think Christianly about neuroscience—what it can and cannot tell us about human nature and spiritual formation—will definitely find it worthwhile."
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Sharon Dirckx, Ph.D.
Christianity Today
“Wallace writes in a way that is accessible for anyone willing to think carefully….[Have We Lost Our Minds] is a skillful application of important biblical and philosophical principles to a particularly important, contemporary topic for Christians....I highly recommend it.”
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Scott Smith, Ph.D.
Philosophia Christi
(Journal of the Evangelical Philosophical Society)
"Wallace shows that some Christian neurotheologians have adopted assumptions contrary to what we learn about human nature both from the Bible and philosophy. He shows why this may be harmful rather than helpful in our formation. In so doing, he offers a helpful corrective for all who care about the spiritual formation of God’s people."
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Bob Trube
Bob on Books Book Reviewer

Book Trailer

Endorsements

Dr. Stan Wallace has done a masterful, gracious, yet firm job of carefully and accurately exposing these harmful ideas….He also presents a compelling biblical alternative…that explains all the relevant facts of neuroscience, aligns with our spiritual experience, and has far-reaching practical applications.
Dr. J.P. MorelandDistinguished Professor of Philosophy at Talbot School of Theology and co-author of The Substance of Consciousness
Have We Lost Our Minds? is a game-changer...a corrective field guide to human flourishing….I highly recommend this book for anyone seeking a practical understanding of the nature of persons.
Rev. Jimmy DoddFounder and President of PastorServe and author of What Great Ministry Leaders Get Right
‘Good philosophy must exist,’ C.S. Lewis wrote, ‘if for no other reason, because bad philosophy needs to be answered.’ That’s exactly what Stan Wallace gives us…a clear, articulate description of the beautiful, robust reality of … who we truly are.
John StonestreetPresident of the Colson Center and author of A Practical Guide to Culture
Our concept of the human person….matters for our Christian faith, witness, worldviews, and practices. Using Scripture, theology, philosophy, and working examples, Stan Wallace’s book thoughtfully probes the body-soul-brain dynamic….I have a deeper, richer understanding.
Dr. Shirley J. RoelsExecutive Director of the International Network for Christian Higher Education and co-author of Business Through the Eyes of Faith
An important – indeed, critical – book that clears away serious misunderstandings as well as misrepresentations regarding spiritual formation and neuroscience….He also offers a constructive, biblical alternative to point us in the proper direction.
Dr. Paul CopanChair of Philosophy and Ethics, Palm Beach Atlantic University and author of True for You, But Not for Me: Overcoming Objections to Christian Faith
I heartily recommend Stan Wallace's timely book--a fraternal but forceful critique of 'neurotheology,’....Wallace…encourages appropriation of sound neuroscience within the historic Christian perspective that affirms the basic distinctness and holistic integration of both body and soul.
Dr. John W. CooperProfessor Emeritus of Philosophical Theology, Calvin Theological Seminary and author of Body, Soul and Life Everlasting: Biblical Anthropology and the Monism-Dualism Debate
Spiritual transformation into Christlikeness is personal--which is to say it happens only to persons. Therefore we cannot successfully pursue it without knowing that which comprises a person. In Have We Lost Our Minds, Stan Wallace guides readers through the most current thinking, bringing clarity to pursuing Christian spirituality with our whole being, focusing especially on one's bodily brain and eternal soul.
Bishop Todd Hunterfounding bishop of The Diocese of Churches for the Sake of Others (Anglican Church North America) and author of What Jesus Intended: Finding True Faith in the Rubble of Bad Religion

Interviews and Webinars

“Wallace writes in a way that is accessible for anyone willing to think carefully….[Have We Lost Our Minds] is a skillful application of important biblical and philosophical principles to a particularly important, contemporary topic for Christians....I highly recommend it.”
Scott Smith, Ph.D.Philosophia Christi
(Journal of Evangelical Philosophical Society)
"Wallace shows that some Christian neurotheologians have adopted assumptions contrary to what we learn about human nature both from the Bible and philosophy. He shows why this may be harmful rather than helpful in our formation. In so doing, he offers a helpful corrective for all who care about the spiritual formation of God’s people."
Read More
Bob TrubeBob on Books Book Reviewer

Not sure this book is for you? To give you an idea of what I discuss and why you may find it helpful, here’s a brief (30-minute) interview in which I summarize the book’s main points.

If you’d like to learn why the issues in this book matter, this interview can help you understand our soul and how it relates to our body, and how this understanding of the soul and our bodies, ourselves, and our identity, can help us love God and love our neighbors.

View other Interviews and Webinars about Have We Lost Our Minds?

About the Author

Stan serves as the President and CEO of Global Scholars, a ministry equipping Christian professors worldwide to be “the aroma of Christ” (II Cor. 2:15) among their students, colleagues, universities, and academic disciplines. He has done doctoral studies in philosophy at Marquette University and holds a Doctor of Ministry from Talbot School of Theology. Stan has published in academic and ministry journals, contributed to several books, edited several others, and produces two monthly podcasts: College Faith and Thinking Christianly. He is also on the board of Apologetics on Mission and serves as a Co-Catalyst for the Lausanne Movement’s Academic Ministry and Educators Network.

Dr. Stan W. Wallace

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