A dual hemisphere brain is a common structure we all share as species on this little planet in the vast cosmos. And with such a structure, each hemisphere possesses it’s own unique functions that contribute to our overall perception of reality. The left’s functionality is tailored towards precision with a focus on the part of something rather than its whole, as well as the organization of current knowledge structures and the possessed “known” of the individual. The right hemisphere, though, is programmed quite differently with a “peripheral” aspect to its aim, and a focus on gathering new information to store into the left hemisphere, as well as a perception and analysis of the whole of something rather than just its parts.
“and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 18:3 NKJV
This verse is often interpreted to means something along the lines of humility in its simplest form, and although this interpretation is useful and somewhat accurate, it does not appear to completely address its whole meaning. How? Although humility is a major prerequisite to accepting Christ, and later being implemented in a living manner according to a life after the Spirit, this characteristic alone does not properly address the whole of the context. What does this mean? In conjunction with other verses by Christ, as well as the apostles and Old Testament writings, and the concept embedded within the transformative process of the Christian life, humility alone is not what Christ is referencing to here, but rather something much more profound.
“but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.”
II Peter 3:18 NKJV
“The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.”
Proverbs 18:15 NKJV
The “growth” and “acquisition” in both verses is that of knowledge, which again is acquired through the activation and usage of the right hemisphere of the brain. And this activation can only be accomplished through the encounter of new information and experiences with an open mind and willingness to learn, as well as the analysis of this newly encounter information and experience. With this right hemispheric activation also comes a greater understanding of the whole of some type of new information or experience rather than just it’s parts.
The acquisition of knowledge through the process of learning new information is called “semantic memory,” while the process of experiences is called “episodic memory.” When both processes are combined, the end result is new synaptic connections and the development of new neural pathways within the brain. And what is fascinating about this unique process, biblically speaking, is that this same process is mandated by Christ for all His followers.
“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Matthew 11:29 NKJV
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,”
Matthew 28:19 NKJV
In the first verse mentioned above, Christ tells His disciples to learn from Him, which is to say from His teachings and character. This message can be extended even further for us today to include the apostles, early church fathers, philosophers, sciences, etc. To sum up properly, we should seek the things of God (knowledge, wisdom, love, truth, etc.) by seeking to learn from His word and His creation itself. This exhortation is stated well when writing his letter to Timothy:
“Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.”
I Timothy 4:13, 15 NKJV
Going back to the verses and sayings of Christ mentioned a moment ago, Matthew 28 in particular, we find Christ commanding His followers to go out into the world to preach the gospel to the lost world. This command is a process of episodic memory formation which involves experience.
Essentially, Christ, as well as the Apostles, exhort believers to study, to learn new information (semantic memory), and then go out and preach what they have learned and come to understand. And with this conjunction of learning processes, believers should progress to greater heights of consciousness, which is akin to the idea of transformation, or becoming a new creation in Christ.
As new synaptic connections between neurons form through these dual learning processes, our brains are gradually rewired overtime wherein the neural networks that are firing together throughout the learning processes grow greater connections between them, the ones that are not become dormant overtime. This process of dormancy among neural pathways is called neural pruning. Again, this type of pruning away of what is no longer needed or active can be found within John 15, wherein Christ speaks of the pruning branches in order for more fruit to bear.
““I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.”
John 15:1-2 NKJV
The more people learn, the more they change. Old behavioral patterns that are no longer needed or practiced become dormant overtime, and then are ultimately pruned away to make more room for new, more necessary neural networks to expand as we continue to learn new material and have new experiences. And this implementation of the dual learning processes not only rewire the brain and change behavior, but literary transforms the biological make up of an individual, too.
This process of biological transformation is done through the activation of dormant genes found within the DNA of human cells. As an individual encounters novel information through either learning new material or by experiences, dormant genes within the DNA turn on and begin manufacturing new proteins that make up one’s body. Therefore, not only is someone simply changing their mind and behavior, but their bodies, too.
This mind-body transformative process is what every Christian should be implementing into their daily schedule. Learning new things, and this includes those difficult to deal with topics that are outside the church; science, philosophy, art, etc. A child-like openness to novel information and experiences is the key. And the way in which someone can harness this child-like openness is by activating the right hemisphere by the process of learning new information and having new experiences in humility. The more someone learns and experiences, the greater the transformation that will result.
-Michael Thacker
Michael Thacker 