Blogging for Plenary #1: David Hogue

David Hogue, Professor of Pastoral Theology and Counseling at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois, is the author of Remembering the Future, Imagining the Past: Story, Ritual, and the Human Brain and several book chapters and journal articles exploring the intersection of ritual, liturgy, pastoral care and the neurosciences.

David is our opening plenary speaker. Briefly he is covering: BRAIN MATTERS: PRACTICING RELIGION, FORMING THE FAITHFUL. An explosion of brain research over the past two decades has transformed not only neurology and psychiatry, but virtually every domain of human experience – fields as diverse as psychology, politics, economics, marketing, education, child and adolescent development, gerontology and even religious experience. Beginning with a brief introduction to the brain, this presentation will explore the promise of emerging neuroscientific research in three areas: memory, stories, and relating. We will consider how these discoveries can deepen our understanding of the formation of religious communities, and of those who are nurtured by them. We will consider methods of engaging these discussions in ways that are faithful both to the sciences and to our religious traditions.

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