Neurotheology is becoming an increasingly popular strand of theology. Although trances of this branch of theology can be traced back to the 70’s, it really became an area of interest in the mid 90’s. Neurotheology is a process of studying religious and spiritual phenomena with the neuroscientific perspective. This field is continuing to grow and with better technology for neuro-imaging and a growing understanding of the human mind theologians can use this framework to better understand a wide variety of theological concepts. One theme in particular that is dominant in the Hebrew Bible is that of ecstatic states and prophecy. This phenomenon can be found in almost every culture and time period yet cannot be traced back to any one. Erika Bourguinon, one of the most prominent ethnologists in the area of altered states of consciousness, examined trance states as they appeared in cross-culturally. In a study examining institutionalized altered states she shows that, “of a sample of 488 societies, in all parts of the world, for which we have analyzed the relevant ethnographic literature, 437, or 90% are reported to have one or more institutionalized, culturally patterned forms of altered states of consciousness.” This phenomenon of trance states is of great significance, as it appears to be a major aspect of human behaviour and religious experience. When examining prophecy in the Hebrew Bible this method of examination can shed insight into the behaviours of the prophets and onto our interpretation of them. Trance states, or ecstatic states, in the Hebrew Bible have long been problematic for biblical scholars. Many scholars have found it problematic to reconcile the seemingly erratic behaviours of trance states and other rationalist...
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14. Shantz, C. Paul in Ecstasy: The Neurobiology of the Apostle’s Life and Thought. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press, 2009.
15. Singer, S. “Mystical-ecstatic and Trance States.” In The British Journal of Psychiatry. Vol. 152. 296-297. 1988.
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19. Wilson, R. Prophecy and Ecstasy: A Reexamination. In Journal of Biblical Literature, Vol. 98, No. 3. (Sept. 1979). Pp. 321-337.
LaHaye, Tim, and Ed Hindson. The Popular Encyclopedia of Bible Prophecy. Eugene, OR.: Harvest House Publishers, 2004.
Winkelman, Michael. "Shamanism in Cross-Cultural Perspective." International Journal of Transpersonal Studies 31.2 (2013): 47-62. Google Scholar. Web. 14 Mar. 2014.
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Vitus’s dance, between the eleventh and seventeenth centuries, manias swept across Europe as tens of thousands of people participated in frenzied public orgies and wild dances lasting for days and sometimes weeks. It is little wonder why psychiatrists and medical historians classify such episodes as group mental disorder affecting those overwhelmed by the stresses of the period. (Bartholomew 1)
Throughout ancient history, many indigenous tribes and cultures have shown a common trait of being hunter/gatherer societies, relying solely on what nature had to offer. The geographical location influenced all aspects of tribal life including, spirituality, healing philosophy and healing practices. Despite vast differences in the geographical location, reports show various similarities relating to the spirituality, healing philosophy and healing practices of indigenous tribal cultures.
Berger, Peter L. The Sacred Canopy: Elements of a Sociological Theory of Religion. New York: Anchor, 1967. Print.
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Metzger, B.M. & Coogan, M.D. “The Oxford Companion to the Bible”. Oxford University Press. New York, NY. (1993). P. 806-818.
“Integrative Approaches to Psychology and Christianity” (2010) is about the purposeful integration of psychology and Christianity. Entwistle, discusses the integration of scripture and nature, holding to historic orthodox Christianity that “Scripture and the natural world have their origins in God’s creativity and revelation” (Entwistle, 2010, p. 136). Theology clarifies the Word of God (Bible), and Psychology corresponds with the works of God. A working definition of integration is offered,
Eastman, Roger. The Ways of Religion: An Introduction to the Major Traditions. Third Edition. Oxford University Press. N.Y. 1999
Maher, B. A., & Maher, W. B. (1985). Psychopathology: I. From ancient times to the eighteenth
LaHaye, Tim F., and Edward E. Hindson. The Popular Encyclopedia of Bible Prophecy. Eugene, OR: Harvest House Publishers, 2004.
Burton, Neel. "A Brief History of Schizophrenia." 8 September 2012. Psychology Today. 17 12 2013.