Page 2- Jonah Lehrer – Imagine
HOW FAITH WORKS
Christianity’s long and troubled relationship with science has much to do with knowing how things work, or rather coming to terms with how God works through things. We are far enough removed from the days when Galileo’s heliocentric theory was blasphemous, so Imagine certainly won’t create a stir.
But perhaps, in its own way, it should.
Years ago I read a book titled Phantoms in the Brain: Probing the Mysteries of the Human Mind. The title arises from the real pain that patients feel in their hand or foot after having their arm or leg removed and how this so-called “phantom pain” can be temporarily alleviated with the use of mirrors. This and many other mysteries of the human brain are studied, but the main thrust of the book is how our brains can literally alter our perceptions of reality.
Take, for example, Capgras’ delusion*. In this rare condition, someone with damage to their limbic system (which is partly responsible for emotions and memory) becomes convinced that one or more of their loved ones—or their dog Fido—is an imposter. Then consider that seizures in this part of the brain can lead to experiences of intense spirituality. In other words, our closeness to God may actually have been a twitching of tissues in our brain.
I mention this book only because a) in a way it terrified me and b) I was reminded of it as I read Imagine. Phantoms led me to seriously question the idea of free will: with such a persuasive and powerful organ at the center of my existence, with its folds and lobes and neurons and dendrites and serotonin, how much control—in this case, over my own imagination—do I really have?
Imagine makes no reference to God. I personally have no idea of any of Jonah Lehrer’s beliefs. A careful and admittedly biased reader can read into the following excerpts. I’ve added italics myself.
“The human mind, after all, has the creative impulse built into its operating system, hard-wired into its most essential programming code.” (xx)
“Just because we can track the flux of neurotransmitters, or measure the correlation between walking speed and the production of patents, or quantify the effect of the social network, that doesn’t take away from the sheer wonder of the process. There will always be something slightly miraculous about the imagination.” (251)
While Lehrer’s beliefs may be irrelevant, beliefs as a topic is not. Our beliefs and personal impressions of a holy and infinite God are figments of our imagination, an expression that need not be dismissive or derogatory. The word imagination is derived from the Latin imago and deals with all mental images, beliefs, thoughts, and memories. As none of us have actually seen God, we can only imagine Him, and as such, imagination plays a role in our faith and our relationship with Him.
Imagination played a role in Martin Luther’s theses and St. Augustine’s conversion. And without taking anything away from the God-breathed inspiration of the Bible, the brain Lehrer writes about is basically the same brain John used when writing Revelations. Thought about this way, Imagine not only relates to the way Bob Dylan wrote his lyrics but how we meditate on the role of God and faith in our individual lives. God created our brains. This essential organ, in all its complexity, is a primary source for understanding and inspiration, and like all of His creations, we must be active and faithful stewards to ensure that we come to know Him more.
If Phantoms in the Brain awoken me to the influential power of my mind, then Imagine confirmed conclusively what I have learned since then, that the amazing and yet mysterious brain—which, even when left to its own devices, will come up with its own answers and insights—can itself be controlled and manipulated for a greater good. Because that’s one of the thousand most interesting things about the brain: we can turn it on itself, if only we learn how.
————-
*For an excellent fictional rendition of Capgras’ delusion, read The Echo Maker by Richard Powers.
C. Christopher Smith is the founding editor of The Englewood Review of Books. He is also author of a number of books, including most recently How the Body of Christ Talks: Recovering the Practice of Conversation in the Church (Brazos Press, 2019). Connect with him online at: C-Christopher-Smith.com
 Reading for the Common Good From ERB Editor Christopher Smith "This book will inspire, motivate and challenge anyone who cares a whit about the written word, the world of ideas, the shape of our communities and the life of the church." -Karen Swallow Prior Enter your email below to sign up for our weekly newsletter & download your FREE copy of this ebook! |
Understanding Christian Nationalism [A Reading Guide] |
 Most Anticipated Books of the Fall for Christian Readers!
|
 Hilarious One-Star Customer Reviews of Bibles |
