The Spiritual Brain: Neuroscience and the Quest for God
Join us on September 28th from 9-1 for the fourth annual Palmer Seminary Science and Religion Symposium, an enlightening event that bridges the worlds of neuroscience and spirituality. This year’s symposium, titled "The Spiritual Brain: Neuroscience and the Quest for God," promises to delve deep into the intricate connections between our brains and our spiritual experiences. RSVP Online Now!
We will welcome a distinguished panel of experts, including esteemed faculty and accomplished alumni, who will explore the latest advancements in neuroscience and their implications for understanding spirituality and religious behavior. Renowned neuroscientist Dr. Andrew Newberg, who has dedicated decades to studying the brain during spiritual practices, will deliver the keynote address. His groundbreaking research offers profound insights into how religious experiences are reflected in brain activity.
The symposium will cover a range of compelling topics. Attendees will discover how our brains perceive and process spiritual experiences, shedding light on the profound ways we connect with the divine. The event will also examine the influence of brain function on our spiritual lives, exploring questions about the interplay between our neurological and spiritual selves. Additionally, the impact of traumatic brain injuries and substance use on our spiritual well-being will be investigated, offering new perspectives on the resilience and vulnerability of the human soul.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to engage with leading scholars and practitioners at the intersection of neuroscience and spirituality. Whether you are a student, a scholar, or someone deeply interested in the quest for understanding the divine through science, this event promises to be an unforgettable experience. We look forward to welcoming you to a day of insightful discussions and profound discoveries!
Symposium Schedule
8:30am - Gathering and refreshments
9:00am - Greetings and opening prayer
9:15am - Panel discussion
- Dr. Jarrett Henderson - Chair of Counseling Psychology Department, Assistant Professor of Counseling Psychology
- Dr. Calli Micale - Director of the MDiv Program, Assistant Professor of Theology and Ethics
- Peter Twigg - Senior Research Coordinator at the Center for Urban Bioethics, Temple University
10:45am - Break
11:00am - Keynote presentation
- Dr. Andrew Newberg - Director of Research at the Marcus Institute of Integrative Health and Physician at Jefferson University Hospital
12:30pm - Wrap up and final thoughts
Keynote Speaker
Dr. Andrew Newberg
Dr. Andrew Newberg is the director of research at the Marcus Institute of Integrative Health and a physician at Jefferson University Hospital. He is board certified in internal medicine and nuclear medicine.
Andrew has been asking questions about reality, truth, and God since he was very young, and he has long been fascinated by the human mind and its complex workings. While a medical student, he met Dr. Eugene d’Aquili, who was studying religious experiences. Combining their interests with Andrew’s background in neuroscience and brain imaging, they were able to break new theoretical and empirical ground on the relationship between the brain and religion.
Andrew’s research now largely focuses on how brain function is associated with various mental states—in particular, religious and mystical experiences. His research has included brain scans of people in prayer, meditation, rituals, and trance states, as well as surveys of people's spiritual experiences and attitudes. He has also evaluated the relationship between religious or spiritual phenomena and health, and the effect of meditation on memory. He believes that it is important to keep science rigorous and religion religious.
Andrew has also used neuroimaging research projects to study aging and dementia, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, depression, and other neurological and psychiatric disorders.
He has published over 250 peer reviewed articles and chapters on brain function, brain imaging, and the study of religious and mystical experiences. He has published 14 books, which have been translated into 17 different languages. He was listed as one of the 30 Most Influential Neuroscientists Alive Today by the Online Psychology Degree Guide.
Panelists
Dr. Jarrett Henderson
Dr. Jarrett Henderson
Chair of Counseling Psychology Department, Assistant Professor of Counseling Psychology, Eastern University
Dr. Calli Micale
Dr. Calli Micale
Director of the MDiv Program; Assistant Professor of Theology and Ethics, Palmer Theological Seminary
Peter Twigg
Peter Twigg
Senior Research Coordinator at the Center for Urban Bioethics, Temple University
(Eastern University Class of ‘16)
REGISTER ONLINE
Reserve your spot for the Science and Religion Symposium on September 28th from 9-1 p.m.