This paper reviews Timothy R. Jennings’ The God-Shaped Brain , which integrates neuroscience, attachment theory, and Christian theology to argue that beliefs about God physically reshape neural structures. Jennings posits that a loving, relational view of God promotes mental health and emotional regulation, while a punitive, legalistic view triggers threat responses and psychological distress. The paper evaluates Jennings’ core claims—neuroplasticity, the brain’s response to fear vs. safety, and the clinical implications of theistic belief—against current research in cognitive neuroscience of religion. It concludes that while Jennings overextends some metaphors, his model offers a valuable interdisciplinary framework for understanding how religious cognition interacts with well-being.
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