The concept of Intellect in Christianity
Synonyms: Intelligence, Mind, Understanding, Reasoning, Knowledge, Wisdom, Cleverness, Discernment, Wit, Sagacity, Insight, Wisdom., Mental capacity, Comprehension
In Malay: Akal; In Dutch: Intellect; In French: Intellect; In Finnish: ıô²â; In Spanish: Intelecto; In German: Intellekt; In Swedish: Intellekt
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Christian concept of 'Intellect'
From: Summa Theologica (English translation)
(1) The text suggests the intellect is not subject to the sensitive appetite or the imagination, but can make various uses of them, suggesting it has a higher function.[1] (2) The faculty that presents the object of desire to the will, similar to how the imagination presents the appetible object to the sensitive appetite, which does not move the will of necessity.[2] (3) This is the faculty of the mind used for understanding and reasoning, and it is used to abstract and consider different aspects of the divine persons and their relations.[3] (4) The intellect is an immaterial power, and both the intellect and the will are ordained to a universal object, as stated above (A[1], ad 3), and the intellect is moved, of necessity, by its object.[4] (5) This is instructed by the grace of the word, which is the case when a man speaks so as to teach, which is one of the ways the grace of the word happens.[5]
From: The Little Flowers of St. Francis
(1) The text encourages the reader to open well the ears of the intellect of thy soul, which means to be receptive to spiritual teachings and guidance.[6]
From: Ante-nicene Fathers
(1) The capacity for reasoning, which can be sharpened by learned pursuits or dulled by ignorance.[7] (2) This is what the mind, when made perfect, uses to accurately estimate the things it perceives, as everything about the house was made golden.[8] (3) This is a faculty that some writers deprive the soul of for a short period, but others believe it is present from infancy and is responsible for mental perceptions.[9] (4) The reasoning faculty, which is one of the divisions of the soul, distinguishing the inner self from the outward appearance.[10] (5) The ability to think, reason, and understand, which should not be considered superior to the senses.[11]
From: Gospel of Thomas Commentary
(1) This is the faculty of reasoning, and it can make inner knowledge more difficult, according to the text, because we become bound by the intellect.[12]
From: Expositions of Holy Scripture
(1) The capacity for understanding and learning, which should be cultivated diligently, according to the text.[13]