Is the bible a book thats meant to be examined with your brain or examined with your heart?

Question

I bleieve its a heart issue, and people who have not allowed G-d to work on their heart, and just use their head, will always have problems with it.

I'd like your insight.

Blessings
David

Yes of course we use the brain....but there is no acceptance by the brain unless the heart is open to it. Its not like a math problem.....

Answer 1

It is definently a heart issue. You are right, David. I'm 13, and I figured that out!

Answer 2

Your brain is the ONLY organ that can examine anything. Your heart is simply a muscle for pumping blood through your body. The Bible nowhere mentions the brain, because the people who wrote it didn't know what it was for. Ancient people generally thought the heart and bowels were where thoughts and emotions originated. To this day, we say things like, "He loved her with all his heart;" and if you do a search at www.Biblegateway.com for the word "bowels," you'll get many hits--but not a one for "brain."

So, if by "heart" you mean that one should simply follow one's emotions when it comes to the Bible and believe just any old thing that makes one feel good, then no, I don't think this is a wise idea. In fact, I think it is silly. It is no better than a child accepting Santa Claus because it makes him happy to get presents at Christmas. If the Bible cannot stand up to the close scrutiny of logic and reason, then why believe what it says?

Answer 3

while it is an issue of the heart, you have to use your brain too. there are several instances in the Bible where you have to know your history or culture or even grammer to understand the point that the author is trying to get across. this is where your brain comes in. On the other hand, there are BIble scholars who are incredibly intelligent and yet will never understand the Bible like the average joe who reads with his heart does. The Bible is God's way of speaking to us. This is where your heart comes in.

Answer 4

David, I believe the Holy Bible is meant to be examined with both the brain and the heart. In order to understand what I am reading, I always pray first and ask the Holy Spirit to guide and enlighten me in my understanding of God's word to me. I also might add that I am a Catholic and I rely on the teachings of the magesterium to help me to understand the Bible in its entirety and not just pull scripture from any book out of the proper context.
I once heard it said that the longest journey on earth is the one from the head to the heart and this is so true because a head full of knowledge means very little without a full understanding and incorporation of that knowledge into our very beings, our hearts and our souls. Blessings to you also.

Answer 5

This is a misconception assuming that the "heart" can think. The heart is for the circulatory system. The fact is that whenever you read something, you think with your brain. If your brain doesn't believe it, than *you* don't. Everything should be examined with your brain, because that is its purpose.

Answer 6

You can not use one, without the other. The brain and the heart, are the main center for feelings with understandings. Every person who Loves God and His words are given this special gift of Heartfelt, understanding. So don't separate them.

Answer 7

Examined by the brain; accepted with the heart.

Answer 8

It's a brain thing, that sometimes is mistaken as a heart thing by letting in that feeling of hope for eternal life. The ancient egyptians used to discard the brain of the dead instead of putting it in the containers because they didn't think it was needed in the afterlife. they had mistaken the 'feeling' of thought in their head to have come from their heart.

Answer 9

This is a very good question!
Any holy book should not be examined with just either or - your heart or your head - but should use a combination of both.

Ask yourself, does this make sense? (intellect question) Do I morally agree with it? (heart question) Do I believe that what it calls me to do is logical? (intellect) How will it make me feel after I read it? (heart)

Religion is supposed to be a beautiful composition of your heart and your intellect finally finding something that they both agree with. I'm very happy with what the Qur'an teaches logically and spiritually.

As Christians, you should feel both about your bible.

Cheers!

Answer 10

I think He lets you feel His presence with your heart and gives you intelligence enough to understand His teachings. the Holy Spirit lives within you as was promised when you came to salvation. That tells me He speaks directly to your heart. Besides I've always been taught that the devil cannot touch your heart but can play many games with your mind.