The Nature of Humkind as Represented in the Greatest Commandment

2.1 Assignment The Nature of Humkind as Represented in the Greatest Commandment

Getting Started

Leaders lead people. Leaders are people. Thus, as part of the foundations of leading, having a good understanding of the nature of humans is important. The Greatest Commandment, as articulated in the Bible, can help us understand the holistic framework of humanity. Mark 12:30 (English Standard Version Bible, 2001/2016) states, “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” The text identifies four components.

Heart. Within the ancient context, the heart was considered the center of things. Rather than referencing the organ that pumps blood, biblical references to the heart usually referred to things such as character, personality, emotions, and will.

Soul. The concept of soul in biblical writings is a complex interaction of the physical and spiritual or the material and non-material realities of humanity as understood in a biblical worldview. In some respects, we can think of the soul as reflecting one’s existence both in the current life as well as whatever future life exists beyond what we currently experience.

Mind. While some overlap between the heart and mind existed in the ancient understanding of those concepts, references to the mind tended to mean the acts of thinking, judging, understanding, and even the function of one’s conscience.

Strength. Perhaps the simplest term of the list presented in Mark 12 is the word, “strength.” It is a reference to all of one’s powers, physical, mental, and otherwise.

Combined, the concepts of heart, soul, mind, and strength reflect every nuance of the human condition, which scripture asks us to devote to God in our affections, appetites, attitudes, and actions. The concepts illuminate “who we are” as people. This “who we are” is true for both leaders and followers in their work together to pursue common goals in an organization.

Read the Getting Started section above and Mark 12:30.

Compose a 200-250 word reflection. Consider the following: 

a. Describe your understanding of the nature of humans. Do you agree or disagree with the biblical perspective on humans? Explain.  

b. What implications does the nature of humans have for you as an individual?

c. How does what you have learned apply to you as a leader? 

d. What other thoughts would you like to share what you have discovered?