If you have been following my blog and are familiar with my book, you know that I talk a lot about the connection between neuroscience, spirituality, and mental health.  I am well aware that the research I cite seems almost too good to be true since it does such a perfect job of supporting my defense of religion as a positive force in human life.  So I wanted to give you an opportunity to hear from someone else on the subject—from the experts in the field.  I am blessed to live in the Research Triangle area of North Carolina, with Duke University in my own backyard.  Duke is home to the Center for Spirituality, Theology, and Health, and its director is Dr. Harold Koenig, a leading authority in this fast growing field. Koenig’s research plays an important role in the development of my book’s argument.  And he appears on this promotional video for the center:

You can see from the video that indeed we are now witnessing a convergence of faith and science in the area of human psychology, just as John Paul II predicted in The Theology of the Body. I explore the implications of these new advances in neuroscience in my book, and I argue that the new research vindicates Christianity as an essential  force for good.  Contrary to the claims of the New Atheists, Christianity does not “poison everything.”  You can find a summary of some of the main points of my

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book at this link.  And here is a link to The Center for Spirituality, Theology, and Health at Duke University. JG

Update: May 31, 2016

I have just accepted an invitation from The Center for Spirituality, Theology, and Health to speak to their group about my book’s research.  This will be happening in early 2017 (April 26th). JG

Update: August 2, 2016

My speaking engagement has been posted at the Duke website.  Here’s the link. JG