Not sure what you mean by ‘in the church’; there are certainly people within the science/theology community who are grappling with these things. My own research involves transdisciplinary dialogue between theology and 2 different branches of neuroscience and, like you, I find that a creative and not a threatening place to be.

The book’s worth a read – the evidence I find convincing (by which I mean fair, not open and shut) is the mixture of case-studies, exercises, and the neuroscience of identity formation. It chimes with me on a cultural level, and personally, too.

But it’s radical and controversial, certainly!

Can I ask a genuine question, people? Does anyone know of anyone inside the Church who is grappling with the ideas neuroscience is raising? Because it can be really frustrating trying to wrestle with the implications for spirituality and theology in isolation. I can’t be the only person with a bookcase heaving with popular science books and a background in evangelical Christianity who finds the tensions creative rather than a threat.

as for me, i am a dog whose tail is often known to wag him.

Re: Money – I don’t know how to explain it but things have a way of turning out. I was freaking out re: how I was going to pay for business related trip I need to take to Poland and the UK this summer when I landed a speaking gig to talk about new forms of church in the US (Yes, doing serious plugs for Proost). I chose to accept what few gigs I get on faith (chicks get MUCH fewer opps than dudes). Here I’m taking Andrew Jones’ advice by not asking for a set fee but if folks ask about my fee, suggest that they pay what they can – noting that what I make from someone who can afford it will help me make connections with groups that are flat broke. This way I’m helping facilitate dialogues by helping people make connections instead of being a hired author/speaker paid to perform. It’s a change in attitude – I noticed that a number of folks doing grassroots work that I respect are developing a similar approach. As it happens, I am getting paid enough to cover this trip. Two people advanced me a bit of money so I could afford to travel until they give me the check (I’m on my way there now). This is for the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire (yes that diocese that started the fighting) and all this feels right. I am really trying to put more of my trust in God in this department and I’m starting to be at ease here but I’ve got a long ways to go before my anxieties over how I will pay for my bills will dissipate.

My problem is at times too much time to myself – as any writer, artist, musician can testify, a good chunk of this work happens when you’re alone. Balancing being alone without becoming engulfed by loneliness is a challenge – reading Merton helps a bit.

What I struggle with at times are the putdowns – I am used to people flinging arrows at satirists but over these past three years I’ve been hit with a lot of emergent arrows by people I “thought” were my friends. That’s been especially hard to deal with especially being accused falsely of libel and slander which for a female writer is about as bad as using the “c” word. (What I am guilty of is letting my anger get the better of me and being obnoxious but what I say is true even if the tone is unChristlike.) ASBO Jesus has been a great safe place where I can vent and know that while I might be crazy at times, I’m not insane.