Have a Heart? -- How so?

[Eyelog]

In some ways it is difficult to distinguish in great detail the difference between the human spirit, the soul, the Heart and the Mind, as these terms are used in Scripture. These words are translations of the Greek in the NT:

Human spirit - pneuma
Human soul - psuche
Human heart - kardia
Human mind - nous
Human understanding - dianoia
Human will - Though we like to talk about humans having free will or having a faculty of the will, Scripture does not seem to identify a separate faculty called the will. But that does not mean people do not will things. The Bible certainly acknowledges that people do ‘will,’ ‘intend,’ ‘desire’ and ‘wish’ things, using the verbs, “Thelo” and “Boulomai”. We ‘choose’ things, using verbs like “Haireomai” and “Eklegomai”.

I theorize that these various faculties or abilities/powers of the human being tend to function in a range, or on a continuum, from the largely unconscious spiritual realm (on the left) to the self-awareness of consciousness in the Mind (in the middle), and extending into the Mind’s awareness of its Body and the physical realm in general (on the right), like this:

Heaven - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - World
ß-------Spiritual Function-----|-----Mental Function----|-----Physical Function---------à
ß-----------------------Unconscious---------|-----Conscious----------|---Unconscious----à
Spirit ..............Soul............ Heart ..............Mind................................ Body
(Eyelog ã2010)

However, some would say that the heart, soul, spirit and mind are all the same thing, the inner human. Some might align spirit and soul, in distinction from heart and mind, equating the latter two.

What's your take, and what scriptural basis do you have for saying so?

[Noeb]

What's your scriptural basis for your theory?

[Watchman]

In some ways it is difficult to distinguish in great detail the difference between the human spirit, the soul, the Heart and the Mind, as these terms are used in Scripture. These words are translations of the Greek in the NT:

Human spirit - pneuma
Human soul - psuche
Human heart - kardia
Human mind - nous
Human understanding - dianoia
Human will - Though we like to talk about humans having free will or having a faculty of the will, Scripture does not seem to identify a separate faculty called the will. But that does not mean people do not will things. The Bible certainly acknowledges that people do ‘will,’ ‘intend,’ ‘desire’ and ‘wish’ things, using the verbs, “Thelo” and “Boulomai”. We ‘choose’ things, using verbs like “Haireomai” and “Eklegomai”.

I theorize that these various faculties or abilities/powers of the human being tend to function in a range, or on a continuum, from the largely unconscious spiritual realm (on the left) to the self-awareness of consciousness in the Mind (in the middle), and extending into the Mind’s awareness of its Body and the physical realm in general (on the right), like this:

Heaven - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - World
ß-------Spiritual Function-----|-----Mental Function----|-----Physical Function---------à
ß-----------------------Unconscious---------|-----Conscious----------|---Unconscious----à
Spirit ..............Soul............ Heart ..............Mind................................ Body
(Eyelog ã2010)

However, some would say that the heart, soul, spirit and mind are all the same thing, the inner human. Some might align spirit and soul, in distinction from heart and mind, equating the latter two.

What's your take, and what scriptural basis do you have for saying so?

This is one of my favorite topics, and you've nailed it. I'll jump in later, perhaps. But for now I'm a lot more interested in what others think about this. Our constitution and function, as people, is something that scripture talks about quite a bit...but not much is taught about it. Excellent post!

W

[Eyelog]

Some take the view that we are spirit, soul and body, and heart and mind are faculties of the soul. They cite scripture like the following:

Job 7:11
“Therefore I will not restrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit, I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.
Isaiah 26:9
At night my soul longs for You, Indeed, my spirit within me seeks You diligently; For when the earth experiences Your judgments The inhabitants of the world learn righteousness.
1 Corinthians 15:45
So also it is written, “The first MAN, Adam, BECAME A LIVING SOUL.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.
1 Thessalonians 5:23
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.


While these are good Scriptures to add to our understanding of our spiritual anthropology, only a fairly exhaustive review of the use of all the terms for the faculties, in terms of how they are used in context, can reveal a more complete understanding of what the Bible reveals about what we are and how we function.

[logos7]

Not sure if I understood the question, but if I did, I believe that the human being consist of three parts; the body (flesh), the mind (spirit), and the soul (the heart)


I believe this because we are told that we wrestle not agains flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12); and also that at Jesus 2nd Comming our vile bodies shall be change and be fashioned like His glorious body. (Philippians 3:21) And we are to present our bodies as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1).

While we our told And be renewed in the spirit of your mind. Ephesians 4:23 And of course Romans 12:2 states this same principal.

While Jesus was in the Garden of Gethesemane, He said His soul was sorrowful unto death (Matthew 22:37-38; 14:33-34).
Upon entering Jerusalem. Jesus also made this statement, Now is my soul troubled. (John 12:27). I know this doesn't connect the heart and soul but I believe when we look at Jesus statements in John 14:1, 27; that is when He told His disciples let not your heart be troubled, it would easily compared to His soul being trouble.

And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly: and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
I Thessalonians 5:23

[Watchman]

... only a fairly exhaustive review of the use of all the terms for the faculties, in terms of how they are used in context, can reveal a more complete understanding of what the Bible reveals about what we are and how we function.

Bolded the operative term! The words, soul, spirit, body, heart, etc., are used extensively in scripture. Some of them are used almost interchangeably, and some have multiple meanings. This should be a great thread if folks will stick with it!

W

[Watchman]

Actually, this very thread should be one of the most viewed, and most participatory threads on this board at this time. If we understand our constitution, our relationship with God re: that constitution, and how He designed us to function cooperatively with Him (ie koinonia), then we are well on our way to growing into the Head...into the full stature of Christ.

W

[Watchman]

Well crud, since nobody else is jumping in, I'll offer a bit.

1 Thessalonians 5:23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Genesis 2:7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

Paul tells us we are triune. Moses tells us that God formed Adam's body, then blew his spirit into him, thus forming (by their mixture) a living soul. Lest anyone doubt God blew man's spirit into him:

Job 33:4 The Spirit of God has made me, And the breath of the Almighty gives me life.

What say ye?

W

[Colight]

I would rather have doctrine than a heart..

Jeremiah 17:9

9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

[Watchman]

I would rather have doctrine than a heart..

Jeremiah 17:9

9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

Ezekiel 36:26-27 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.

[Zack702]

I took the premise and made a event chain, thinking on each subject.

soul.jpg
Exodus 35:21
And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing, and they brought the LORD's offering to the work of the tabernacle of the congregation, and for all his service, and for the holy garments.

[Noeb]

What's your take, and what scriptural basis do you have for saying so?

What's your scriptural basis for your theory?

While these are good Scriptures to add to our understanding of our spiritual anthropology, only a fairly exhaustive review of the use of all the terms for the faculties, in terms of how they are used in context, can reveal a more complete understanding of what the Bible reveals about what we are and how we function.

You asked others to post scripture but didn't yourself, so I asked. Agree "only a fairly exhaustive review of the use of all the terms for the faculties, in terms of how they are used in context, can reveal a more complete understanding of what the Bible reveals about what we are and how we function", so I thought it strange you asked. I think spirit + body makes a soul just like it says when Adam was created and made. I think the heart and the mind are some combo of spirit + soul.

[Watchman]

I took the premise and made a event chain, thinking on each subject.

soul.jpg
Exodus 35:21
And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing, and they brought the LORD's offering to the work of the tabernacle of the congregation, and for all his service, and for the holy garments.

I'm probably showing my ignorance here, but that is nothing new for me! I've never heard of an event chain, Zack. Would you expand on it a bit, please?

Thanks,

W

[Watchman]

If someone is looking for a rather detailed treatemen of this topic, I recommend Watchman Nee's book, The Spiritual Man. It's over 800 pages long, though, so it is exhaustive as well as exhausting!

[Zack702]

I'm probably showing my ignorance here, but that is nothing new for me! I've never heard of an event chain, Zack. Would you expand on it a bit, please?

Thanks,

W

I will try.

A even chain is a series of cause and effect where you start with either a cause or a effect and relate it to its effect or cause.

For example body, in the chain I assume, is the cause of physicality.

Where mind is the cause of both physicality and mentality.
In example coordination is a physical trait that requires effort of the mind and memory is a mental trait that requires effort of the mind.

Ability stems from physicality and mentality combined. And furthermore these stemming from body,mind and heart.

Action is stemming from all of the above where ability/limitation and desire/drive are the causes of actions.

And action is the cause of sensation and emotion which in turn are the cause of reaction.

Soul could be the cause or the effect of the whole perhaps rather the effect than the cause.

Soul being the combination of all of these makes it possible to function without focusing on each individual part but rather combining all of these parts into one.