Johan,

I just love how people bifurcate the intellect from the "heart" and "soul" as if the intellect is some less-than-desirable aspect of man.

Anyway, we are fortunate in not having to rely upon speculation as to the meaning of that text for the Gospel writers have recorded the words of Christ, the very Son of God in the flesh, where He perfectly repeats Deut 6:5 in its true understanding:

Quote
Mark 12:29-30 (ASV) "Jesus answered, The first is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God, the Lord is one: and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, <span style="background-color:yellow">and with all thy mind</span>, and with all thy strength."
It would seem that the mind was definitely included in that first great commandment even though it wasn't mentioned specifically. It is a rare thing for the heart to be moved or changed without something first passing through the intellect. This is how God made man to function and thus it is through the preaching of the Word that we are even saved and our lives are to be sanctified as we apply those things which we KNOW via sound doctrine. (1Tim 4:16; Tim 3:16, 17).

In His grace,

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simul iustus et peccator

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