In our minds when we think of our entire being we think of a collaboration of different things that make us who we are. These are even referred to in scripture as loving the Lord with all of your mind, body, heart, and soul. The collaboration of all four of these things makes us who we are and we are dependent on the other. It is like a square; without the other side of the square the figure is no longer a square but an arbitrary unclosed shape that has no meaning. The square is us as human beings and the unclosed figure is a human being that does not get it; that is not wise to see the interdependence of each aspect.
In 4 Maccabees the focus is on the body and soul; how reason can trump passion; how the mind and soul should trump the body and heart. What I have learned from this class and my upbringing is that for many Jews and Christians what happens in this life is not what really matters; the belief and faith is that the eternal soul is where the real battles are fought. Bodily urges and desires are only temporary and should not affect the character of our soul because in this life the two are connect. The body and mind cannot live without the one another. The actions of the soul will control the actions of the body and the actions of the body will polish or tarnish the soul. It really is the fork in the road analogy; you can make a number of decisions in life but many of them have duality. Meaning that the choices are good or bad, and you take the wrong path it makes it harder to get back onto the right one. In these two religions there are ways to repent which essentially put your soul back on the right path fast-track as far as your soul is concerned. Your body and mind may suffer for years over what you have done but in Christianity in the eyes of the Lord you are forgiven for what you have done. Others forgiving your passionate bodily choices is what will or will not help ease the process. See all four aspects of what makes up our bodies depends on the other. Your heart needs help from others after it has fallen into passionate (whatever that is bodily emotion anger, desire, pride, etc.) "sin". Your soul needs the help of all others to be polished. Your mind needs the peace of the soul and body, but.. your body does not need the others because your body is only temporary compared to the soul.
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