72. Dr. J.P. Moreland – A Top Philosopher’s Battle with Anxiety

Welcome to Episode #72 of the Red Ink Revival Leadership Podcast. Today’s conversation is with Dr. J.P. Moreland as we talk through the theology, philosophy, neurobiology, and recovery of anxiety, panic attacks, and depression. J.P. battled debilitating bouts of anxiety and depression. But then, by using his research skills and a felt assignment from God, he has become emotionally integrated and healthy for the past 8 years. His trainings have been put into one of his newest books, Finding Quiet: My Story of Overcoming Anxiety and the Practices that Brought Peace. This episode is a must listen for pastors and church leaders to understand their own struggles with emotional dysregulation, as well as to minister to others. Dr. Moreland is an accomplished philosopher, theologian, and Christian apologist. He is the Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University. Thebestschools.org named him in the Top 50 Most Influential Living Philosophers. His mentors include Bill Bright, Howard Hendricks, and Dallas Willard. J.P. has pastored & co-planted 3 different churches and has served on staff at Campus Crusade for Christ. He has publicly debated famous philosophers on the existence of God, as well as hosted debates on hundreds of college campuses around the country. He is the author of numerous books on faith, philosophy, and apologetics. Our conversation takes us into the following: *J.P.'s journey of personal faith in Christ. * How he became one of the world’s leading philosophers. * Merging intellectual Christianity with contemporary miracle ministry. * How the soul is deeply entwined with the body. * J.P.’s personal story of experiencing anxiety, panic attacks, and depression. * The possibility of medication and the need for therapeutic counseling to help manage anxiety. * The set of practices that J.P. learned and applied to return to wholeness. * The Christian’s necessary understanding of psychiatry, psychology, and neuroscience. * Defining the differences in the soul, mind, spirit, heart, and body. * How memories occur in the soul but are stored in the neurons of the brain. * The way you habitually talk to yourself with truth to rewire your brain for character, peace, and joy. * How “sin” as a noun (Romans 6) and “flesh” (Greek - sarx) are principles in our bodies, and are referencing the biological impact of trauma, grief, and loss that compels future behaviors. * The anxiety recovery and mental exercises called “The 4-Step Solution.” * Distortion patterns in anxiety. * The power of relabeling, reframing, refocusing, and revaluing to rewire the brain. * How radical self-acceptance and self-compassion impact the brain’s processing of anxiety. Finding Quiet: My Story of Overcoming Anxiety and the Practices that Brought Peace: https://www.amazon.com/Finding-Quiet-Overcoming-Anxiety-Practices/dp/031059720X JPMoreland.com – Christianity and Politics (article): https://www.jpmoreland.com/2020/10/11/why-most-evangelical-christians-are-political-conservatives/ If you have questions you would like addressed in a future episode, topics you would enjoy hearing, or just want to give us feedback, we would love to hear from you. Email us at [email protected]. Visit our website: redinkrevival.com Please rate, review, share, and subscribe! Edited and produced by Evan (Emac) McAlister.