Alan WeissenbacherGraduate Theological Union · Systematic Theology
Alan Weissenbacher
Doctor of Systematic and Philosophical Theology
About
10
Publications
2,614
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13
Citations
Introduction
Inspired by my past work with recovering addicts, many with mental illnesses, I now research into how neuroscience can inform traditional spiritual formation practices within the Christian church. Currently I speak and teach on practically applying neuroscientific discoveries to lives of faith. I recently completed my doctorate, am working on turning my dissertation into a book, and looking for teaching positions.
Additional affiliations
May 2012 - present
Center for Theology and the Natural Sciences
Position
- Book Review Editor
Description
- Solicit and edit book reviews for the academic journal Theology and Science, published four times a year through Routledge Publishing.
February 2012 - May 2012
Position
- Instructor
Description
- Taught graduate course "Neurotheology and Free Will" exploring contemporary neuroscience in relation to philosophical and theological positions regarding free will and determinism.
August 2002 - August 2008
Denver Rescue Mission
Position
- Chaplain
Description
- In addition to counseling clients, I designed curriculum for and taught new classes in foundational Christian theology for rehabilitation clients so as to facilitate their integration into a local church community.
Education
September 2008 - May 2016
September 1998 - May 2002
September 1993 - December 1997
Publications
Publications (10)
As the field of brain research continues to advance, much is being discovered about the various aspects of the brain that are associated with certain feelings, thoughts, and behaviors. However, certain studies, or popularized accounts thereof, overreach in their pronouncements, drawing unwarranted conclusions regarding human nature. There are ten p...
In his work Rewired: Exploring Religious Conversion, dealing with Wesleyan soteriology and neuroscience, Paul Markham claims that when one incorporates biology as an epistemic restriction in theologies of conversion, doctrines of instantaneous conversion are invalidated. He asserts that conversion must always be gradual, because the mechanism by wh...
In 2009, Mark Walker first proposed the Genetic Virtue Project, advancing that science should explore using genetic engineering to eliminate moral evils just as it attempts to eliminate natural ones like disease. This seemed like an issue for the far future given the unique challenges. Walker focused on the wrong aspect of personhood, however, as m...
Neuroscience is discovering the areas of the brain correlated with many aspects of the human personality once attributed to the human soul, such as rationality, emotions, ethical decision-making, social behavior, and memory, that lead to a view of the human person as entirely physical. This view has challenged the conception of an immaterial soul o...
