I always try to approach any claim with a rational mindset. When someone approaches me with a claim, I always try to understand their why, why that person came to that conclusion. Is that person using a deductive argument, an inductive argument, an abductive argument? Are they assuming implicit premises in their reasoning? Is there any compelling reason to accept them? Are there logical fallacies?
This is a good and understandable approach and it will serve you well when sifting through the many many theological stances in Christianity today! However, when approaching Yahweh (the Creator) and His Word, we need to change from this analytical mindset if we hope to make a "breakthrough".
Some issues we need to understand in the heart rather than in the mind. I hope that doesn't sound too flowery to you.
For example, imagine you tell me you love your spouse I doubt your claim. I doubt your conclusion, your reasoning and your premise - having not experienced love myself. As much as you might try and convince me of the validity of your love, I simply have no evidence for it, your argument sounds illogical and I have no experience with which to match with your claim. However, within the very same day that I fall in love, immediately I'll get it and I'll understand and believe your claim.
All this to say that some truths need to be "submitted to" not calculated. Some truths cannot be understood without experience, even by the shrewdest mind. Rather they need to be submitted to and experienced. Just like how a description of a sunrise using science, physics and mathematics alone will never become beautiful. Knowledge needs to be left aside and you simply need to experience it "naked of human reasoning" - if that makes any sense.
"Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths." - Proverbs 3:5-6.
From what you have written, it seems you have hit a ceiling. You have come very far with your intellect but now you are finding a lack of "reality". You understand the sunset in concept, but you haven't seen it yourself, as it were.
Consider how the Messiah said "
Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." It's wise to be humble towards to Word of God and Yahweh. If you would find Him, you need faith, not logic. And by handing full authority and control of your life (the "reigns" if you will) over to Him in faith is the last great step you must take. You don't have to understand everything up front and indeed who could? Rather you need that same trust a young child implicitly has in his father.
What then, should a disciple be dumb, illogical and unreasonable? No, not at all. But when it comes to meta subjects like reality and the intricacies of God and His Kingdom, even the smartest of saints is still less than amateur. In this way wisdom should be prized over knowledge. Wisdom leads to God, knowledge will always be limited - by definition.
've noticed that there are patterns of experiences that repeat across multiple testimonies, for which there appear to be no known explanations from the viewpoint of Psychology and Neuroscience.
I agree entirely, having training in these areas also.
This has given me the hope that there might be in fact a spiritual/supernatural dimension to reality, that God might be real and that life might be more than a biological cycle.
The Church would really benefit from people like you who are smart and logical. It seems to be a natural gift which, if applied correctly, could go on to serve Yahweh in tremendous ways. So I'm very hopeful for your future.
But again, it's all theoretical from my viewpoint. Of course, it's experiential for the people with the testimonies, but I don't have a testimony, so from my viewpoint it remains theoretical.
For now it's theoretical my friend, for now. I was there too for a long time. But if you keep showing this much interest, the Spirit of Yahweh will find you and open your eyes to the reality of it all - giving you that testimony. Even now, I feel that you are right on the edge of a breakthrough.
You just need to learn to let go of your mind and seek with your heart instead. Don't try to dissect this too much, as it will be an endless task. And don't weigh your own journey with that of others, as there will always be more miraculous testimonies to discover. Instead seek Him and ask Him to reveal Himself to you in a way that you will not be able to deny. Seek Him with your heart (the very core of your emotive being) as your deductive mind has reached its understandable limits.
"And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart." - Jeremiah 29:13
I highly recommend you watch the biographical film called "The Case for Christ" 2017. I'm not sure where you can get a hold of it. You might find it streaming on one of your available services. But I think it will speak to you as the guy in the film will be identifiable in some ways.
Peace.