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How the Neuroscience of Emotion Promotes Spiritual Transformation Christine M Digital Commons @ George Fox University Doctor of Ministry Seminary 3-1-2014 Sustainable Faith: How the Neuroscience of Emotion Promotes Spiritual Transformation Christine M. Mutch George Fox University, [email protected] This research is a product of the Doctor of Ministry (DMin) program at George Fox University. Find out more about the program. Recommended Citation Mutch, Christine M., "Sustainable Faith: How the Neuroscience of Emotion Promotes Spiritual Transformation" (2014). Doctor of Ministry. Paper 77. http://digitalcommons.georgefox.edu/dmin/77 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Seminary at Digital Commons @ George Fox University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Doctor of Ministry by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ George Fox University. GEORGE FOX UNIVERSITY SUSTAINABLE FAITH: HOW THE NEUROSCIENCE OF EMOTION PROMOTES SPIRITUAL TRANSFORMATION A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF GEORGE FOX EVANGELICAL SEMINARY IN CANDIDACY FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF MINISTRY BY CHRISTINE M. MUTCH PORTLAND, OREGON MARCH 2014 George Fox Evangelical Seminary George Fox University Portland, Oregon CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL ________________________________ DMin Dissertation ________________________________ This is to certify that the DMin Dissertation of Christine M. Mutch has been approved by the Dissertation Committee on February 27, 2014 for the degree of Doctor of Ministry in Leadership and Spiritual Formation. Dissertation Committee: Primary Advisor: MaryKate Morse, PhD Secondary Advisor: Laura Simmons, PhD Copyright © 2014 by Christine M. Mutch All rights reserved. The Scripture quotations contained herein are taken from the New International Version (NIV) of the Bible, unless otherwise indicated. ii DEDICATION For my miracle babies, Gabe and Ella. May you come to see emotions as God’s good gift to you, a window to your soul. May you grow to love God’s Story and find a meaningful role to play in it. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT ...................................................................................................................... VI CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION TO SUSTAINABLE FAITH: HOW THE NEUROSCIENCE OF EMOTION CAN PROMOTE LONG-TERM TRANSFORMATION .............................................................................................1 The Goal: Spiritual Formation .........................................................................................2 The Current State of Affairs: Some Challenges Facing the Church ................................5 A Way Forward: The Neuroscience of Emotion ...........................................................13 CHAPTER TWO: BIBLICAL & THEOLOGICAL UNDERPINNINGS FOR SUSTAINABLE FAITH .......................................................................................23 The Basic Biblical Plotline…And Why It Matters Today .............................................24 Creation: In God’s Image ..............................................................................................27 The Fall ..........................................................................................................................31 Redemption: God’s Promise-Plan to Make Things Right….Through Israel ................35 Redemption: God’s Promise-Plan to Make Things Right….Through Jesus .................38 Redemption: God’s Promise-Plan to Make Things Right….Through The Church ......40 Redemption: God’s Promise-Plan to Make Things Right….Personal Transformation 42 Redemption: God’s Promise-Plan to Make Things Right….Redemptive Agents ..........44 How to be a Redemptive Agent: Fully Human ..........................................................47 How to be a Redemptive Agent: Fully Spirit-filled ...................................................53 How to be a Redemptive Agent: Fully Communal ....................................................56 New Creation .................................................................................................................58 Conclusion .....................................................................................................................59 CHAPTER THREE: SPIRITUAL FORMATION THROUGH THE AGES: HOW CHURCH HISTORY CAN INFORM CURRENT PRACTICE ..........................61 Scriptural Foundations ...................................................................................................62 The Early Church (AD 100-400): The Community-Builders, Martyrs, Ascetics, and Doctrinal Watchdogs .....................................................................................................63 The Medieval Period: The Middle Ages of Monasticism, Mysticism, Scholasticism, Sacramentalism and Devotionalism (AD 400-1450) .....................................................73 The Age of Reformation (AD 1450—1700) ..................................................................83 The Postmodern Turn (1900 to Present) ........................................................................94 Conclusion ...................................................................................................................101 CHAPTER FOUR: EMOTION AND SELF ...............................................................104 Emotion and Feelings: Definition of Terms ................................................................104 Emotion and Attention .................................................................................................110 Emotion and Memory ..................................................................................................114 Emotion, Motivation, and Decision-Making ...............................................................128 Conclusion ...................................................................................................................138 iv CHAPTER FIVE: EMOTION AND OTHERS (PART I) ..........................................140 The Power of Another ..................................................................................................140 The Foundation of Attachment ....................................................................................143 The Many Faces of Emotional Contagion ...................................................................150 Emotional Regulation ..................................................................................................160 Conclusion ...................................................................................................................164 CHAPTER SIX: EMOTION AND OTHERS (PART II)............................................165 Neural Plasticity ...........................................................................................................165 Emotional Revision ......................................................................................................174 Implications: The Intermingling of Self, Others, and God ..........................................189 CHAPTER SEVEN: EMOTION AND GOD: PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS TO PROMOTE TRANSFORMATION ....................................................................196 A Look Back: Summary of Previous Chapters ............................................................197 A Way Forward: Where Emotion Meets Spirituality ..................................................202 Spirit .........................................................................................................................202 Somatic Experiences ................................................................................................203 Speaking ...................................................................................................................207 Spiritual Practices ....................................................................................................211 Story .........................................................................................................................220 Suffering ..................................................................................................................231 Sojourners ................................................................................................................234 Conclusion ...................................................................................................................243 BIBLIOGRAPHY ............................................................................................................245 v ABSTRACT Current research indicates that well-intentioned practices and programs aimed at forming people into the image of Christ are not producing the intended results. One roadblock is the misunderstanding and lack of value placed on the role of emotion in the transformation process. The purpose of this dissertation is to present neuroscience research about the integral role of emotion in one’s life, and suggest practical ways to capitalize on emotion to effect transformation. Chapter one describes the goals of spiritual formation, in contrast to current attitudes and practices of those inside and outside the church. It provides a basic introduction to the brain’s emotional system and its significance for transformation. Chapter two reviews the biblical narrative to demonstrate God’s plan for personal transformation and the restoration of all creation, as well as the holistic role that embodied humans have in the process. Chapter three explores historical trends, from the early church to contemporary times, for approaches to spiritual transformation. The ongoing shift in
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