Freethought & Rationalism Archive

pharoah · 09-24-2005, 12:22 PM

Take a look at the following passage from Mark 7:

Quote:

14And when he had called all the people unto him, he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand:

15There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.

16If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.

17And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable.

18And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him;

19Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?

20And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.

21For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,

22Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:

23All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

Now my question is, did Jesus really believe that man's thoughts come from the heart, or was he speaking metaphorically?

Toto · 09-25-2005, 01:22 AM

In ancient classical times, anatomy was not completely understood. The ancients thought that the heart was the source of thinking - they didn't understand the brain's function. (They also thought that the source of emotions was the bowels.)

Nowdays we use the heart as a metaphor for emotion.

fta · 09-25-2005, 01:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toto

They also thought that the source of emotions was the bowels.)

Which probably accounts for some of the unintentionally amusing references in the KJV bible:

"Wherefore my bowels shall sound like a harp for Moab..." (Isai. 16:11)

"My beloved put in his hand by the hole of the door, and my bowels were moved for him." (Sol. 5:4) :rolling:

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09-25-2005, 01:22 AM	#2
Toto Contributor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Los Angeles area Posts: 40,549	In ancient classical times, anatomy was not completely understood. The ancients thought that the heart was the source of thinking - they didn't understand the brain's function. (They also thought that the source of emotions was the bowels.) Nowdays we use the heart as a metaphor for emotion.

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