The Biblical Understanding of Mind and Heart
Scripture presents a holistic view of human consciousness that transcends modern distinctions between intellect and emotion.
Hebrew and Greek Terminology
- Old Testament: The Hebrew word leb (heart) often refers to the inner self encompassing will, emotions, and intellect
- New Testament: The Greek kardia similarly represents the whole person, not just feelings
- Phroneo typically denotes one’s perspective or understanding (Mark 8:33; Acts 28:22)
The Comprehensive Nature of Biblical Thought
Key insights about the biblical concept of mind:
- Ancient writers didn’t compartmentalize mental faculties as we do today
- The distinction between material and immaterial aspects was less pronounced
- Terms for mental operations weren’t used with scientific precision
Loving God With All Our Mind
Jesus’ command in Matthew 22:37 uses dianoia (deep understanding):
- Combines nous (mind) with dia (through) – suggesting thorough comprehension
- Not about separating intellect from emotion, but engaging our whole being
- Parallel accounts use kardia (heart), showing the terms’ interchangeability
A Unified View of Human Consciousness
The biblical perspective reveals:
- No strict division between “head knowledge” and “heart knowledge”
- The mind represents the totality of our inner life before God
- All faculties – thinking, feeling, willing – work together in knowing God
“The Bible conceives of the mind simply as the ‘inner being’ – the complete integration of our mental, emotional, and spiritual capacities.” (ISBE)
