A Whole-Brain God
God works through our minds and desires a balanced approach to Christianity, one that combines reason and intuition.
Neil Anderson emphasizes the importance of having a balanced approach to faith, acknowledging that God works through both reason and intuition in our minds. He highlights that without Christ, cognitive-oriented individuals may struggle to find the truth, and intuitive-oriented individuals may be led astray by various impulses. Anderson points out that Jesus draws both rationalists and mystics to Himself, being the ultimate revelation of God. He encourages a biblical balance of seeking wisdom and knowledge while also being zealous for the power and reality found in Christ.
Text
John 12:32
And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself
Some researchers have suggested that our brains have two hemispheres. We are led to believe that each hemisphere functions slightly differently from the other as follows: Left Brain Right Brain reason intuition cognitive subjective task-oriented relationship-oriented verbal visual facts feelings language arts math music linear spatial
When God works through the church, He doesn't bypass our minds. And neither does He bypass one hemisphere for the sake of the other. We only have one brain and one mind. We have a whole-brain God. Without Christ, the cognitive people are "always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth" (2 Timothy 3:7). Without Christ, the intuitive people are "led on by various impulses" (2 Timothy 3:6).
Neither the rationalist nor the mystic will ever come to Christ by reason or intuition. Jesus is the ultimate revelation of God. He is the truth. He draws both the rationalist and the mystic to Himself when neither leans on his own understanding.
Cognitive-oriented Christians strive to be right and search for wisdom and knowledge. Intuitive-oriented Christians are zealous for reality and power. We need the biblical balance: "We preach Christ crucified . . . the power of God and the wisdom of God" (1 Corinthians 1:23, 24).
Prayer:
Lord, keep me from being too rigid or too flexible in my thinking and learning. May my mind be balanced by the truth.
Sermon Outline
- A Whole-Brain God
- The Whole-Brain God
- The Biblical Balance
- The Power of God and the Wisdom of God
- The Need for Balance in Our Christianity
Key Quotes
“And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself” — Neil Anderson
“We only have one brain and one mind. We have a whole-brain God.” — Neil Anderson
“Neither the rationalist nor the mystic will ever come to Christ by reason or intuition.” — Neil Anderson
Application Points
- We should strive for balance in our thinking and learning, avoiding being too rigid or too flexible.
- We need to seek the biblical balance of the power of God and the wisdom of God in our Christianity.
- We should not rely solely on reason or intuition, but rather seek to understand and apply the truth of God's word in a balanced way.