The Synaptic Gospel: Teaching the Brain to Worship [Paperback]

In this book, Christopher D. Rodkey asks how the brain worships and responds by engaging ideas from neurological science, philosophy, ritual theory, and religious education. From this exploration, two new paradigms for pastoral ministry emerge. First, Rodkey proposes a pan-generational principle, advocating an empathy-based approach for fostering faith communities, a principle that is radically inclusive to all generations. Second, Rodkey argues that worship and religious education should converge to include a shared goal of teaching individuals to live liturgically.

In The Synaptic Gospel, Rodkey argues that living and thinking liturgically are learned behaviors that may be promoted through pan-generational worship. The book concludes with a special emphasis on practical suggestions for youth ministry. The Synaptic Gospel will prove to be a useful theoretical tool for pastors, religious educators, youth ministers, church music professionals, and seminary students.

Acknowledgments and an Opening Apology

Chapter One
Introduction, Problems, and Methodologies

Chapter Two
Worshiping Communities as Circles of Empathy

Chapter Three
The Neuroscience of Emotion and Feeling

Chapter Four
The Neurology of Worship

Chapter Five
Worship as Religious Education

Chapter Six
An Ecology of Liturgy: Habituating Liturgically with Youth

Selected Bibliography

Index