Erin Ayres

Christian, wife, mother, grandmother

[Matthew Statler @StatlerMatthew]

https://t.co/OuImAxZwln

[Nick Sevier @sevier_nick]

Shores' article concedes that OCD neuroscience shows correlation, not causation — then proceeds as if causation were settled. This is a significant error that warrants correction.

After decades of brain imaging research, no reliable OCD biomarker exists. Diagnosis still rests entirely on observed behavior and clinical interview [1, 2].

The CSTC circuit findings the article cites are plagued by small samples, inconsistent results across studies, and no agreed causal mechanism [3, 4].

Even the largest neuroimaging consortium to date (ENIGMA, n=4,372) found that machine learning classification of OCD from brain scans performed no better than chance when tested across sites [5]. This is the largest study of its kind, and its results directly contradict the confidence with which brain-based OCD claims are typically made.

The serotonin hypothesis remains unproven — SSRIs helping some patients does not establish that serotonin dysfunction causes OCD, any more than aspirin proves fevers are caused by aspirin deficiency [6].

This is materialist assumption dressed as scientific conclusion.

Moreover, neuroscience leaves the door open to immaterial causes by methodology. Structurally, it cannot falsify spiritual causation.

Additionally, the neuroplasticity data the article invokes actually undermines its own argument: purely behavioral therapy (CBT/ERP) produces brain changes comparable to medication [7], which means behavior reshapes neurology — not just the reverse.

A more theologically coherent reading of the data is this: shared heart-level patterns produce habituated behavior, which reshapes neurology. The brain scan is the downstream signature of the inner man, not evidence against addressing it spiritually.

Romans 6–7 already tells us sin dwells in and operates through the mortal body. We should expect entrenched spiritual patterns — disordered fear, compulsive self-protection, refusal to trust God's sovereignty — to produce convergent physiology across individuals who share them.

Therefore, the sufficient Word of God does not need corroboration from a discipline that presupposes there is no soul.

The practical counsel here is genuinely helpful so far as it goes. But, it doesn't need the neurobiological scaffolding to stand.

Sources

[1] Bruin et al., Diagnostic neuroimaging markers of OCD, Progress in Neuropsychopharmacology (2019)

[2] Brakoulias et al., Diagnostic biomarkers for OCD: a reasonable quest or ignis fatuus?, Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews (2021)

[3] Boedhoe et al., Association and Causation in Brain Imaging in the Case of OCD, Am J Psychiatry (2019)

[4] IOCDF, How Disease and Medication Shape the Brain in OCD, https://t.co/nK3MjVHzav (2023)

[5] Boedhoe et al., Structural neuroimaging biomarkers for OCD: ENIGMA-OCD consortium, Translational Psychiatry (2020)

[6] Pastre et al., Serotonergic underpinnings of OCD: systematic review and meta-analysis, Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences (2024)

[7] Schwartz et al., Systematic changes in cerebral glucose metabolic rate after behavior modification treatment of OCD, Arch Gen Psychiatry (1996); replicated in Bijanki et al., J Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry (2021)

[Charles Hodges @runningdoc]

For your Sat am read. Medicine, Research, and Biblical counseling: Four Things you should know about Binoximania! https://t.co/OQx4o4EV6V

[Heath Lambert @HeathLambert]

With all my heart, I am praying for people in the organizations in the movement I love to stop the current drift and pursue faithfulness.

https://t.co/gdyiZDjBFR

[Nick Sevier @sevier_nick]

Bonus Insight: Even Secular Research Confirms That Therapeutic Technique Isn’t What Changes People

One of the most striking moments in Dr. Berger’s critique comes when he turns secular research against itself.

After surveying over 200 types of psychotherapy, the most comprehensive study on what actually produces change in people landed on just two factors: hope, and a meaningful, caring relationship.

Not techniques. Not bodily interventions.

But hope and love.

Which, as Dr. Berger points out, is exactly what biblical counselors have been offering all along.

The difference is that we know where hope actually comes from (Romans 15:13), and we know that the love we offer is not mere therapeutic empathy, but a reflection of the One who laid down His life for His friends.

[Nick Sevier @sevier_nick]

A Loving Critique of Clinically-Informed Biblical Counseling by Dr. Daniel Berger (@drbergerdr).

https://t.co/1PVsfo3Key

[Erin Ayres @erin8977]

@ccef The new heart (Eze. 36) and empowerment of Christ’s indwelling Spirit seem to be missing from this analysis. Do the regenerate and unregenerate have the same mandate and means of overcoming sinful temptations due to bodily weakness (or otherwise)?

[Erin Ayres @erin8977]

Keeping young women from going woke https://t.co/FYUUrFEzDi

[Aaron Siri @AaronSiriSG]

Progress. And a reminder, every dose of MMR and Chickenpox vaccine contains billions of pieces of human DNA and cellular parts from the cell line of an aborted fetus. Every dose. (Fn. 139, Ch. 12 of Vaccines, Amen). Here is an exchange with the world’s leading vaccinologist on cutting up baby parts into little cubes to develop cell lines.
https://t.co/nwCA2hBWcL

[Collin Rugg @CollinRugg]

NEW: Republican Rep. Riley Moore calls on Secretary of State Marco Rubio to take "immediate action" to address the slaughter of Christians in Nigeria.

"Christians are being persecuted and killed in Nigeria for professing their faith in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ."

Moore is calling on Rubio to redesignate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern.

"I urge you to use all diplomatic tools available ... and halting arms sales and all associated technical support until the Nigerian government demonstrates it is sufficiently committed to ending this reign of persecution and slaughter," said @RepRileyMoore.

Over 7000 Christians have been killed in Nigeria alone this year.

125,000 Christians have been slaughtered in Nigeria since 2009, according to Newsweek.

[🌷 LIZZIE🌷 @farmingandJesus]

If you see a comment that fills you with anger respond with this video…. This is the only response that truly matters. Save the video and use it, let’s expand his legacy and the gospel he preached 🩷🩷

Let’s share this far and wide because the gospel saves. If we want change we need to make disciples. #CharlieKirk

[Allie Beth Stuckey @conservmillen]

There’s so much ugliness online right now. People cheering on Charlie’s murder. I won’t highlight them. Instead I’ll just remind you of this: Charlie wouldn’t care one bit about what those people think. He was extremely aware of the existence of evil and of spiritual warfare. Demons are rejoicing. Satan’s glad he took an effective soldier out of the fight, and everyone who follows Satan feels the same. 

What an incredible honor. May we all, when we die, make the demons rejoice. May we all be so courageous, so bold, so effective, so faithful, so obedient to the Lord, so relentless in the pursuit of His glory that when we die all of God’s enemies cheer. May they lament every breath we take, may they be enraged by every morning that our feet hit the floor, may they wince at every word we say. 

We don’t wrestle against flesh and blood, my friends.

I am already seeing God use this moment to unite people and bring them to truth. If the enemy’s goal was to scare us into silence, he’s failed spectacularly. This is what happens when you make a martyr: you embolden everyone who believes like they do. Charlie and the truth he represented will spread further and wider than it ever has before.

To the people who did this, to the people who support this,  you have changed the country forever. If your goal was to immortalize Charlie’s ideas, and to raise people even bolder and more relentless than him, good job. That’s exactly what you’ve done.

[Erin Ayres @erin8977]

@jeffreytucker @brownstoneinst “healthcare remains one of the only industries where we’re taught to blindly trust and obey.” 🎯 The one we trust and obey is, functionally, the one we worship. Unquestioning trust and obedience belongs to Christ alone; all others are pretenders.

[Denny Burk @DennyBurk]

We had a stimulating discussion with our colleague Dr. John Wilsey about his new book Religious Freedom: A Conservative Primer (Eerdmans, 2025).

We talk Christian Nationalism, Catholic Integralism, and more.
@SBTS @DrJimHamilton @jasonthacker

[Kenwood Institute @KenwoodInst]

Our treasury of Kenwood Bulletin resources is growing by the week.

Scholarly articles, book reviews, research précis, and sermon highlights — be sure to check back often to find free resources designed to edify the church. @KenwoodBC

https://t.co/NpzS3msM7E

[David Atherton @daveatherton]

Norwood School in Eastleigh, Hants sent a letter to parents. Head Stephanie Mander says the Easter Bonnet Parade & the Easter Service are cancelled. It's been done in the "spirit on inclusivity & respect for diverse religious beliefs."

It will be replaced by in June "Refugee Week"as they an aim to be an "accredited school of sanctuary."

A follower sent me this & is from a family member.

[Erin Ayres @erin8977]

@RWMaloneMD Heb 2:14-15 He Himself [Jesus] likewise also partook [of flesh and blood], that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might
*free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.*

[CBMW @CBMWorg]

On the ESV Genesis 3:16 Update
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On this episode, @DennyBurk, @colinsmo, and Jon Swan discuss the English Standard Version's (ESV) new translation update on Genesis 3:16.