Speak

The Mind is the Moral Helmsman

From yesterday's post, humans live as a joint venture of dual substances - body and spirit. Spirit is the immaterial substance and is also known as mind, heart, and soul. Secular definitions of the mind and the biblical perspective on the mind are the same on the lines of mind-as-self-aware but the biblical view brings much more to the table.

Secular philosophers and scientists hold to a general consensus that the mind is that part of the brain that deals with self-awareness and self-purpose. Brain is matter (e.g. chemical activity) and the mind is self-awareness (e.g. the experience of living.) It should be noted before moving forward with this post that there is broad disagreement however as to how the mind and the brain interact. Are they separate of one in the same? This is material for another post (I suppose.)

Biblically the mind is much more than the secular understanding. In the following scripture passages from the English Standard Version the mind is the initiator of all moral action. "With our minds we are responsible before God, and we respond to him, either for or against (emphasis mine)." (Dr. Edward T. Welch, Blame It On The Brain, 1998, page 36)

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." (Romans 12:2)

"having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints," (Ephesians 1:18)

"They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart." (Ephesians 4:18)

" And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds," (Colossians 1:21)

These passages show how the word heart is a useful synonym for mind. However, it may not be so clear, but biblically mind is not synonymous with intellectual activities. Biblically, because they are not moral functions, intellectual activities like memory, logic and academic abilities are more related to the actual physical brain. I think this is why the bible refers more to the mind as the heart, or the spirit, and even inner man or inner self. The big distinction between secular and biblical views of the mind come down to the moral aspect not to the intellect.

To summarize, biblically, the immaterial substance (the spirit) of man is the moral acting side of man. When I think of Spirit I sometimes get stuck on thinking it is only the non-physical side of things, but what is really important to grasp is the Spirit means mind, heart, soul and these are all one in the same, in the sense that it is through them they we either move toward the Creator or away from Him.

Implications of a Twofold Nature

Continuing the series on mental health, I want to first make sure an incredibly important foundation is poured.

Man is made up of two substances - Spirit and Body. When it comes to understanding the human makeup, history describes debates between monists (matter only), dualists (spirit and body), and tricohtomists (body, soul, and spirit.) And of course there are variations along the whole spectrum that mix elements of all three positions. The bible however is most clear in providing direction toward dualism. Again, man is made up of two substances - body and soul. Genesis 2:7 and 2 Corinthians 5:7 provide good biblical backing for dualism.

But, things get interesting in real life don't they? When real life takes hold of science and philosophy, an array of implications come from out of no where and we are forced to reckon with them. In other words, frankly, when sin enters the picture, dualism is much harder to keep clear and work with.

First off, what exactly is the immaterial side to man, also known as the spirit? Is Spirit synonymous with other seemingly immaterial aspects of man, like mind, soul, and heart?

Dr. Edward Welch in Blame It On the Brain? says:

"In the Bible, "spirit" (pneuma) shares its field of meaning with a number of words. Included are terms such as "heart" (kardia), "mind" (dianoia, phrenes, and nous), "soul" (Greek:psuche. Hebrew:nephesh), "conscience (suneidesis), "inner self" (1 Peter 3:4) and "inner man" (2 Cor 4:16). Even though these words have different emphasis, they can be used almost interchangeably."

When Welch says all these words share in the same field of meaning I think he means they are all connected and related to each other at the highest level of meaning. Welch says, and I am persuaded to agree:

"the basic idea behind all these terms is that every human being lives as a morally responsible creature before the face of God. We have a pervasive Godward orientation. Everything we do is related to the living God."

The foundation, or rather, the presuppositions of dualism and moral agents of God are key in understanding and living with mental health issues in a postmodern culture.

Next in the series...more on understanding what is the Spirit?

eBay Idea

I thought perhaps I could sell something on eBay that has never been done before. I am always thinking of ways to make it "big". In the Interweb's merchandising world, I believe it takes one single idea or product.

What about selling my life long attachment to the Minnesota Vikings? I am not a fanatic. Not at all. Certainly not after the last two games*. But what if I sold my future rights as a fan? I would sell all my future desire that has anything to do with the Vikings. Ya'know, I would even throw all previously purchased merchandise from ticket stubs to sweatshirts, etc - past items would be free.

First things first, must do some market research. Wouldn't ya know, I am not the first to market:

• eBay Item Sold: Loyalty to the Kansas City Royal
• eBay Item Sold: Detroit Lions Fan Loyalty

Looks like the going rate is $285 (or so). Net of fees, I could make $250. That is not worth it, I'll give it away. Do you want it?

*I purposely planned to take in a nap during yesterday's second half. Yes, I did want to watch the game, but not to enjoy the sport, I knew I would fall fast asleep after a few series of downs. BORING!

Doggin' It

Lately I've been trucking around my family in the F150 because the minivan coughs too much and I'm afraid it is going to puke. As a result, my oldest Josh gets to sit in the front seat. This last week he enjoyed the freedom of a dog hanging his head out the window. Josh was doggin it! I loved the look on his face, watching him experience life at its fullest. His guard was down and he was really milking the moment. Sometimes, for a nine year old that usually means pushing the boundaries of foolishness. On the same day Josh enjoyed doggin it, he also discovered what happens when you spit into the wind. Think that is funny? It is even funnier when you get to see him try it again because he wasn't quite sure what happened the first time.