From Speechless, written by Lisa Hoffmann (aka Alabastersky)

What I have learned about the soul itself is not only ongoing but has taken place over a number of years.  I am utterly amazed by the immense value and dimensions of the human soul.

American Pediatric Neurosurgeon Dr. Michael Egnor has an interesting book out, titled “The Immortal Mind: A Neurosurgeon’s Case for the Existence of the Soul”.  Among the many things Dr. Egnor discusses in his book is the fact that the brain is not the whole of the mind.  Over the last century it has become a very popular notion to believe that the body is merely a machine completely controlled by a material organ in our heads: the brain, which, among other things, operates the neurofunctions of the body.

Drawing on the most important research studies in neuroscience, Dr. Egnor presents evidence that the brain is a simply a lump of meat and that, in of itself, cannot think. Yes, the human brain is incredible, mysterious, and powerful. But it’s not what makes us who we are. The soul does that. He notes that the brain alone therefore cannot explain the mind, emphasizing that both reason and free will do not come from the brain. 

One illustration Dr. Egnor uses to help us understand the important difference between the brain and the mind has to do with the sensitive appetite and the rational appetite. In a nutshell, the sensitive (fleshly) appetite would say of a thing (such as a piece of cake) “I have to have it”, while the rational appetite might say “I want it but want to keep to my diet even more”. This illustration points out that free will doesn’t exist in the natural or fleshly impulsive “I want” but only in the ability to veto the impulsive. The brain presents us with a sea of choices, but it is the soul which provides us with an override of the normal inclination or natural fleshly appetite (to do or not to do), allowing us to “go against the grain”, so to speak.

To be driven by the flesh (the promptings of the brain only) is to have given up the soul, giving yourself over to the lusts of it therein, truly giving way to the idea that we are nothing but a “machine”. Think of a hedonist who hates the concept that they have to deny themselves anything. We were not created to be merely machines reacting to the physical prompts of a lump of meat we call the brain. We were created to be creative – to partner with God Himself – the only One who is able to restore our soul and enable us to thrive within His higher calling. Without that restoration you will search your entire life for fulfillment and a happiness that always seems to elude you.