Neuroscience, Addiction, and the Gospel

Dr Alan Gijsbers (MBBS FRACP FAChAM DTM&H PGDipEpi) presented the ISCAST (NSW) Annual Lecture at 7.30 pm on Sat Oct 11th on “Neuroscience, Addiction and the Gospel” in the main meeting room of New College. The lecture was held in conjunction with CASE (Centre for Apologetic Scholarship and Education).

ISCAST stands for the ongoing dialogue between science and theology. Fundamental scientific themes and Gospel themes emerge from this dialogue. As we hear God’s word in the book of nature and in the book of Scripture, we are constantly refining our understanding of both nature and theology. This is particularly fruitful in the area of neuroscience and addiction. Here our scientific understanding of the nature of humans and of addiction sharpens our understanding the nature of the Gospel and the mission of the church. This in turn provides exciting opportunities to follow the Spirit of God in sharing the Gospel of God’s love in Christ towards groups of people who are often marginalised and condemned.

This talk will explore some of these opportunities. It is (as always) a work in progress and I hope that question time will be a time of creative dialogue, as we seek the mind of God on these challenging issues.  Dr Alan Gijsbers is a Specialist Physician in Addiction Medicine, Head of the Addiction Medicine Service at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, and Medical Director of the Substance Withdrawal Unit at The Melbourne Clinic Richmond. He is chairman of ISCAST (Victoria), and President of HealthServe Australia. He has just retired from being the Foundation Chairman of the Victorian Addiction Interhospital Liaison Association, and is the Immediate Past Chairman of the Christian Medical and Dental Fellowship of Australia. He was seconded by Interserve Australia as a physician to the Christian Medical College and Hospital Vellore where he worked in cross-cultural mission for 5 years in the 1980’s.

Download mp3 – Lecture
Download mp3 – Prayer & Questions