My faith background is Southern Baptist; my belief is that scripture is telling a cohesive story about God restoring our trust. I inherited a notion about God rooted in the idea that forgiveness has to be purchased with violence.

Then, a few years ago, by listening to scripture through the earpiece of brain science, I had a profound encounter with God that changed my understanding.

I came to see that if we take seriously the notion of the incarnation—the idea that Jesus was God in a body—then we can look to Jesus to learn how God relates to us. And the pattern in scripture is that Jesus was nonviolent, nonpunishing, forgiving “for free”—no one had to suffer to purchase his forgiveness.

My understanding of the cross deepened then; I cam to see Jesus’s death was necessary to reveal to us that God is nonpunishing, and to reveal that we were wrong to think scapegoating and sacrifice were required. Relating to that refreshed image of God, I am experiencing a trusting relationship with God I didn’t think neurobiologically possible. And bodily trust has the capacity to comfort and soothe us when we’re injured, making forgiveness actually possible for us as well—to my surprise.

Many folks from Christian circles have lost trust in some of the teachers and teachings that simply didn’t work for human beings as we really are. Brain & Spirit theology helps us articulate the unshakable hope that remains after our faith has been sifted—an understanding of scripture and the story of Christ we can share with our children.

I’m a mother of two; I live in Austin, TX with three cats and a dozen quail. My spiritual practices are inspired by Quaker and Ignatian traditions. I serve on leadership with Vox Veniae church and on faculty at Seminary of the Southwest.

It’s a privilege to be healing, growing, and learning in a community of prayerful, discerning people. I trust that theology that’s true will nourish our whole self—brain and spirit. Connect with me below to share your story.

Listening with you,