©Arlene R. Taylor PhD  

 

Many religious and/or spiritual groups include the concept of spiritual gifts (so called) in their tradition. Some spiritual gifts are outlined in the Holy Bible (1st Corinthians 12, Romans 12, Ephesians 4, and 1st Peter 4), while others are included in specific writings espoused or recognized by various religious and/or spiritual groups.

This summary reflects input from conversations with a variety of individuals.

imagePrioritizing Division

Left Frontal Lobe

imageEnvisioning Division

Right Frontal Lobe

Individuals with a brain bent in this division may exhibit one or more of these spiritual gifts from a position of innate ability:

  • Knowledge (relating to functions directed by this division)
  • Wisdom of King Solomon*
  • Distinguishing among spirits
  • Preaching (e.g., apostles), evangelizing)
  • Proselytizing   
  • Leading and directing
  • Contributing (raising money)

 

Individuals with a brain bent in this division may exhibit one or more of these spiritual gifts from a position of innate ability:

  • Knowledge (relating to functions directed by this division)
  • Prophesying (e.g., prophets), teaching
  • Faith (through perceived patterns)
  • Healing (through hope, inspiration)
  • Leading charismatically
  • Innovation (e.g., a new song, poem, reading)

image

Maintaining Division

Left Posterior Lobes

Harmonizing Division

Right Posterior 

image

Lobes 

Individuals with a brain bent in this division may exhibit one or more of these spiritual gifts from a position of innate ability:

  • Knowledge (relating to functions directed by this division)
  • Administrating, managing
  • Ministering (e.g., clerics)
  • Interpreting of tongues
  • Preparing for works of service to others including preparation and carrying out of rituals
  • Serving and producing
  • Teaching

Individuals with a brain bent in this division may exhibit one or more of these spiritual gifts from a position of innate ability:

  • Knowledge (relating to functions directed by this division)
  • Encouraging, showing mercy, or empathizing
  • Faith (through feeling “in the spirit”)
  • Healing (laying on of hands)
  • Working miracles, speaking in tongues, religious drama or dance
  • Hospitality
  • Pastoral care
  • Teaching

 

It is also recognized that some clerics teach that a spiritual gift may be “bestowed" upon an individual because of a need in a specific situation regardless of the individual’s innate giftedness.

 

*  Some have theorized that each cerebral division houses its own wisdom potential, which can increase with maturity, skill development, and overall integration of brain function (e.g.,  intuitive flashes of wisdom that is often associated with functions of the Envisioning Division). This is believed to differ from “King Solomon’s wisdom,” so called, which is typically associated with functions of the Prioritizing Division with it's inductive-deductive reasoning style.