What does the frontal lobe have to do with salvation?

[Richard OFfill]

I once heard a seminar at a minister's meeting. The speakers final statement was 'know your brain and save your soul.

These days I am hearing more and more about the frontal lobe and salvation and the other components of the brain as well. I am aware that I 'function' in my brain, Yet I cannot believe that being born again is a frontal lobe process. Is acountability to God a frontal lobe function? In a strict sense is my frontal lobe 'me'? Somehow I feel that the frontal lobe emphasis is perhaps a new age thing.

Anyway, just some thoughts and concerns....  .

[newbie]

I'm reminded of the surgeries they used to perform on mental patients to 'cure' them.  They removed or tampered with this part of the brain.  Some died, some killed themselves, and some were more like zombies.  They stopped doing this procedure because they found drugs that basically did the same thing without the surgery....

Just thinking that anything that tampers with the brain and its normal function cannot be good.

[lotrob]

When I think of frontal lobe and a spiritual connection, I think of the high priest having on his mitre "Holiness to God" which was on that part to the mitre on his forehead next to the frontal lobe.  Since the frontal lobe is involved in decision making (choosing and judging), memory, problem solving and a host of other things, if in ALL we do we think "holiness to God", it will help us chose right, do God's will and all things unto His glory. 

That's my thought . . . not new age but just a focus and tool to keep God and His godliness ever in the forefront of my mind.

Lottie

[Deborah Risinger]

It is the "front door" to my house.... (if that makes sense to anyone)

Deborah

[Pamela Adams]

i remember reading one of Dr. Neil Nedley books...telling a christian man who lived right etc. and then had a terrible accident of the frontal lobe and his whole behavior changed and no longer seemed to act like a christian....i do not have book at this time...but i would imagine that larry may know of it....the man's name was Gage or Cage or something like that....anyway after reading that ....I was disturbed about that incident and the outcome and what does it mean in regards to the plan of salvation....I understand pastor what you are saying...i too have thought about these things....wish I had more info on the book...i am sure someone on here knows the book...and the story.

[Larry Lyons]

I have heard Dr. Nedley emphasize the importance of the brain and in particular the functions of the frontal lobe. As I understand it, there are very sophisticated scanners that can monitor the electrical activity of various parts of the brain. Incidentally, Ellen White stated that electricity is involved in the functioning of the brain many decades before it was known by neurologists. Using these methods they have identified the areas of the brain in which many specific activities occurr. The temporal lobe is where the functions of conscience, judgement, and other critical activities take place. Dr. Nedley apparantly became interested in it because of its involvement in depression. It is known that the frontal lobe is affected by many things including diet and is subject to damage from harmful substances like drugs and alcohol etc. A healthy frontal lobe is dependant on our overall health and lifestyle. Everything works together. It is also interesting that repeated violations of conscience actually causes breaks in the neural pathways that enable us to feel guilty when we do wrong.

Pamela, it is true that head injuries can cause drastic changes in personality and overall functioning including loss of impulse control,  impaired judgment, and a multitude of other problems. The symptoms would be related to the particular areas of the brain that are affected.

[newbie]

i remember reading one of Dr. Neil Nedley books...telling a christian man who lived right etc. and then had a terrible accident of the frontal lobe and his whole behavior changed and no longer seemed to act like a christian....i do not have book at this time...but i would imagine that larry may know of it....the man's name was Gage or Cage or something like that....anyway after reading that ....I was disturbed about that incident and the outcome and what does it mean in regards to the plan of salvation....I understand pastor what you are saying...i too have thought about these things....wish I had more info on the book...i am sure someone on here knows the book...and the story.

Phineas P. Gage .... railroad accident that changed his life.  He was one that survived having his brain gone through and it was a major study back then....  sad really.

[Ed Sutton]

Phineas P. Gage  is a remarkable example of violently being lobotomized and surviving.

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The frontal lobes seem to be the seat of conscience in the human brain.  



{TSDF 59.8}  talks about brain irritation affecting morals ( the ability to use higher brain functions + value system) to do and desire the right thing.


If the frontal lobe is physically damaged by trauma or chemically deadened to the point of non use - the person loses the ability to discern right and wrong.           {CG 402.3 - 404.3} describes some of this process.


It's like the child that I met at handicapped camp many years ago.  He had fallen off a bicycle, hit his head on a curb and destroyed the brain center for hearing.   He was as deaf as a stone, but his ears were fine.

Alcohol puts the frontal lobe to sleep chemically and messes up many more brain functions, thus the sons of Aaron offered strange fire and God executed them publically.    

A man may argue ......"what does that hole have to do with the house ?"............the builder may explain it is the entry and exit point......it's called the door.     There is an anatomic area of the forebrain called the christagali..(sp?).. because on x-ray it looks like Christ kneeling in prayer.   [I just can't get close enough to the proper spelling to pull it up  on the web]

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[Richard OFfill]

This may sound ridiculous but while the brain is where I live, is my brain me? I say, my foot, my eyes and my brain, but is my brain me? Is it my frontal lobe that loves Jesus? While the frontal lobe is necessary for my mental functions is it the frontal lobe as such that loves my wife and family. The Bible calls on us to give our hearts to Jesus. What is my heart?

So what about the presenter who said, "know your brain and save your soul"? Have you ever seen The Awakening. It is  based on a  true story. It seems to say that although the brain is not functioning the person is still in there though blocked by a brain that has become dysfunctional.

[newbie]

Interesting thought............

It is more than just the frontal lobes but they play a major part....  the amygdala is very important too and is deep in the brain and very well protected.

I've been told that research has made findings that there are significant neurons in the heart as well that connect to the brain that make a heart-brain connection.  The bible tells us this and we have just found out... amazing.