My second book The Biology of Sin: Grace, Hope and Healing For Those Who Feel Trapped was released last week. Here is some advanced praise for the book:
Sin doesn’t occur in a vacuum. We sin by choice, but our choices are often guided by inclinations that we often don’t understand. Dr. Stanford has provided a valuable resource to the church by integrating a wide range of research on the biological conditions associated with various kinds of sins together with Scriptural teaching on these problems and how to address them. Avoiding the extremes of moralism and determinism, he takes seriously both human responsibility and biological vulnerabilities. Peppered with case studies, this book will be helpful to pastors, laypeople, and counselors seeking a better understanding of this complex area of human life.
Eric L. Johnson, Ph.D.
Lawrence and Charlotte Hoover Professor of Pastoral Care, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and author of Foundations for Soul Care: A Christian Psychology Proposal
In The Biology of Sin Matthew Stanford probes the fascinating interface between the spirit and the brain in ways that are sure to intrigue and stimulate those who are interested in how Christian faith can inform our understanding of a fallen corporal nature. I enthusiastically recommend this book to all Christians who are curious about science.
Jeffrey M. Schwartz, M.D.
Research psychiatrist, UCLA School of Medicine and author of The Mind and the Brain: Neuroplasticity and the Power of Mental Force
In years of trying to help people through the complex issues of their brokenness I’ve longed for resources to help explain the power of innate sin in a person’s life. Thank you Matt for integrating biology and brokenness so we can help set people free from the pains and struggles of their lives.
Jimmy Seibert
Pastor, Antioch Community Church (Waco, TX) and author of The Church Can Change the World: Living from the Inside Out
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Idea for a new book:
ReplyDeleteI was updating my essay on the "Southern Baptists and homosexuality" at www.religioustolerance.org/hom_sbc.htm and included the following statement:
"Like most fundamentalist and many other evangelical Christian denominations, they believe that:
* Homosexual is a chosen behavior not a discovered sexual orientation.
* A child is set up as a result of poor parenting to make them more likely to choose to become homosexual.
* A homosexual orientation is intrinsically disordered.
* Homosexual activity is immoral irrespective of the nature of the relationship or the sexual orientation of the participants.
* Homosexuals can change. Although they usually do not define how change is achieved, in practice it generally involves choosing celibacy.
* Homosexuals can convert to heterosexuality through prayer, becoming saved. and perhaps by undergoing reparative therapy.
* Same-sex marriage represents a major threat to the stability of opposite-sex marriage.
Essentiall all human sexuality researchers, professional associations of mental health therapists, religious liberals and progressives, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered persons (LGBT) deny all or almost all of these beliefs. Neither side seems willing to enter into dialogue to resolve their differences in belief."
If the two solitudes could enter dialogue, then there is hope that some of their differences could be resolved. If sufficient differences were resolved the two solitudes might be able to join forces to combat real problems rather than waste energy fighting each other.