Why "Empathy" Is Not In The Bible

[Dino246]

The Oxford is saying it. But the Webster's didn't include "vicarious" a year ago when I started researching this. You can't share or have the feelings OF another.

I read the article for which UnderGrace provided a link. Not only are you misinterpreting the ideas they are sharing, but you're overreacting to your misinterpretation as well.

There is nothing to worry about here. It's simply "monkey see, monkey do"... with a little bit of speculative extrapolation for the non-technical audience.

 

[UnderGrace]

Thank you, that was my impression as well.

I read the article for which UnderGrace provided a link. Not only are you misinterpreting the ideas they are sharing, but you're overreacting to your misinterpretation as well.

There is nothing to worry about here. It's simply "monkey see, monkey do"... with a little bit of speculative extrapolation for the non-technical audience.

 

[Locutus]

I think the OP totally misunderstood what that article UG posted is saying - nothing mysterious going on there - it's the brain reacting to visual stimuli.

When you see someone hit their thumb with a hammer most of us would cringe at the pain being felt by the person - we wouldn't actually feel the pain, but "share" the experience in some manner unless you are dimpathetic.

 

[DevotiontoBible]

I think the OP totally misunderstood what that article UG posted is saying - nothing mysterious going on there - it's the brain reacting to visual stimuli.

When you see someone hit their thumb with a hammer most of us would cringe at the pain being felt by the person - we wouldn't actually feel the pain, but "share" the experience in some manner unless you are dimpathetic.

You are not reading it. They say share the feelings and experience OF someone not IN some way.

 

[Locutus]

You are not reading it. They say share the feelings and experience OF someone not IN some way.

Quote the part where it says that - copy and paste it.

 

[DevotiontoBible]

Quote the part where it says that - copy and paste it.

empathy
NOUN

mass noun
The ability to understand and share the feelings of another.- Oxford Dictionary

 

[Locutus]

empathy
NOUN

mass noun
The ability to understand and share the feelings of another.- Oxford Dictionary

I asked you to quote from the APA article - if you can't comprehend a simple question I doubt whether you will understand the article or the Oxford dictionary definition

 

[Dino246]

empathy
NOUN

mass noun
The ability to understand and share the feelings of another.- Oxford Dictionary

I still think you're misinterpreting and overreacting, but I'll play along... Why is this such a great concern to you? What heinous evil do you think is sneaking in the side gate?

 

[MarcR]

The APA says empathy is a result of evolution. Mirror neurons in the brain can read the minds of other people and actually feel what another person is feeling. Like literally tasting the food of what another person is eating. Or like literally feeling the pain in your toe when someone else stubs their toe. Only certain more evolved humans have this ability.

Hopefully none of us look to the APA for insight on how to use words outside their mainstream usage!

Empathy is a perfectly good word. I have no interest in what the APA or the Catholic church or the Mormons or the JWs say because I don't expect anything worth hearing from them and CERTAINLY NOTHING worth repeating!!!!

 

[Laish]

The APA says empathy is a result of evolution. Mirror neurons in the brain can read the minds of other people and actually feel what another person is feeling. Like literally tasting the food of what another person is eating. Or like literally feeling the pain in your toe when someone else stubs their toe. Only certain more evolved humans have this ability.

well I went to a few APA sites . I found all sorts of articles on empathy. They do not seem to have any constant views on the subject. Some from my reading consider it to be a skill . None that I read said that actual emotions or sensations are transferred. It is total memory based . Several come out and say it is not to be trusted. Some did say it was a product of evolution like thumbs and binocular vision. I hope that you don’t want to get rid of those . Just because they believe it’s a evolutionary trait. Oh one thing is consistent about their opinion is that most in their profession lack it to some degree .
Also note several articles that the APA has on their site just represent members opinions . Nothing that they will all stand behind. You will see conflicting information.
. Just because the left has taken over somthing like empathy dose not mean it’s bad . It can mean that Decent folks have just surrendered it to them .
Blessings
Bill

 

[Locutus]

I'm still waiting for the OP to quote the article.

I'll let this early borg implant do the waiting:

 

[Lighthearted]

Not trying to start anything here..so please no breakin' me y'all...
Just opinion here with a little faith in Jesus, read info from time in the medical field...and performed studies by scientists.

Empathy...it's a fact that you can not argue someone else's feelings. If they say they feel sad or broken, they feel their husband or wife doesn't love them, or their children hate them..you can not say that they don't.

Here's the tough one...if they say they feel God doesnt love them...you can't tell them they're wrong. That's the way they feel. It's important then to ask them why they feel that way and then remind them what scripture says. Remind them of His promises and sacrifice...and that He is sovereign.

There is only one that truly has the understanding of how someone feels...and that is our Lord Jesus Christ. I don't believe in empaths. I do BELIEVE the Holy Spirit can guide us in helping someone to feel better and perhaps change those feelings.

We can indeed sympathize like situations that we ourselves have experienced. In medicine we are taught what stages someone 'may' go through mentally...and ways to help. An example is the stages of grief.

There have been studies that dogs can read body language, facial laguage, and react in kind. We know that some animals also sense certain medical conditions in adults and children through smell, sense bad weather by pressure in the atmosphere, and can sense danger in order to warn and protect owners.

We are told to love our fellow man...to help bear their burdens. We do that to the best of our ability when we love God.
If you are a compassionate person...you may weep with them...hold them as they weep.
If you aren't quite there yet, you might bring them a gift to bring a smile and just listen.
Perhaps you share scripture.
Perhaps you just pray with them.

Just sayin...

 

[Lighthearted]

If y'all didn't get where I was going with the as nimals...I'm saying they can sympathize...but they don't have empathy either...

I get all mixed up in the order of my posts when I'm on my cell phone...itty bitty screen...BIG letters

Haha! Must be late...I'm gonna leave as nimals...even though I'm able to edit this for the next...uh...think I have 20 seconds left!

 

[tourist]

The Oxford is saying it. But the Webster's didn't include "vicarious" a year ago when I started researching this. You can't share or have the feelings OF another.

When you understand the feelings of another it's called empathy When this leads you to have compassion and mercy to this person it's called sympathy. When you love someone and that person loves you the same way it's called sharing. Hopefully, this provides clarity for you in understanding these basic emotional concepts.

 

[7seasrekeyed]

There is only one that truly has the understanding of how someone feels...and that is our Lord Jesus Christ. I don't believe in empaths. I do BELIEVE the Holy Spirit can guide us in helping someone to feel better and perhaps change those feelings.

I understand what you are saying here, but someone who has gone through what the hurting person is going through, can certainly identify...have 'empathy'

15 [FONT=&quot]For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin Hebrews 4:15

the above verse certainly demonstrates the meaning of the word empathy


[/FONT]

 

[DevotiontoBible]

I understand what you are saying here, but someone who has gone through what the hurting person is going through, can certainly identify...have 'empathy'

15 [FONT=&quot]For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin Hebrews 4:15

the above verse certainly demonstrates the meaning of the word empathy


[/FONT]

That is not empathy. It is sympathy:

For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.
Hebrews 4:15 NASB
https://bible.com/bible/100/heb.4.15.NASB

 

[7seasrekeyed]

That is not empathy. It is sympathy:

For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.
Hebrews 4:15 NASB
https://bible.com/bible/100/heb.4.15.NASB

you lack understanding as you have amply illustrated in most of your contributions to this forum

you appear to be like cement...all mixed up and set

there are some translations that actually render the word sympathize or touched (as in the KJ that I used) as empathize, such as the NIV below


15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.

however, the word sympathize and touched is also used...but you are wrong in your understanding and desiring to argue to be always right...that is your personality...nothing to do with the truth of scripture and it is your undoing

for example, even the meaning of sympathize, as indicated in your choice of translation means what we are saying it means and not another meaning...it means to share one's feelings which is to have empathy

you simply want to be right in order to be right to prove to yourself you are right in your path

you are the blind leading the blind here and make no more sense than in your ridiculous thread lumping all charismatics together and not understanding that you were actually speaking of several groups

you are going to bump into something very painful if you insist on always being right at the exclusion of actual truth, if it has not already happened

I have responded to you here to illustrate what you are doing in this forum...it seems more like some kind of personal agenda and I would almost think you to be a troll the way you carry on

as it is, I was addressing the op, not you personally, but as you choose to try to argue with me in any thread I post in where you may also be present, you now have your complete answer.

I could care less if you agree or do not agree with what just about ALL, if not all of us are trying to tell you

your attitude is the problem

it seems you will say that white is black and black is white .. I am starting to believe you may actually see things that way



[TABLE="class: maintext, width: 100%"]
[TR]
[TD="class: top, width: 18%, bgcolor: #0099FF"]NASB ©[/TD]
[TD="class: top, width: 18%, bgcolor: #0099FF"]Greek[/TD]
[TD="class: top, width: 18%, bgcolor: #0099FF"]Transliteration[/TD]
[TD="class: top, width: 10%, bgcolor: #0099FF"]Strong's[/TD]
[TD="class: top, width: 18%, bgcolor: #0099FF"]Definition[/TD]
[TD="class: top, width: 18%, bgcolor: #0099FF"]Origin[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: eng"]For we do not have[/TD]
[TD="class: greek2"]ἔχομεν[/TD]
[TD="class: translit"]echomen[/TD]
[TD="class: strongsnt"]2192[/TD]
[TD="class: eng2"]to have, hold[/TD]
[TD="class: eng3"]a prim. verb[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: eng"]a high priest[/TD]
[TD="class: greek2"]ἀρχιερέα[/TD]
[TD="class: translit"]archierea[/TD]
[TD="class: strongsnt"]749[/TD]
[TD="class: eng2"]high priest[/TD]
[TD="class: eng3"]from archó and hiereus[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: eng"]who[/TD]
[TD="class: greek2"][/TD]
[TD="class: translit"][/TD]
[TD="class: strongsnt"]5101[/TD]
[TD="class: eng2"]who? which? what?[/TD]
[TD="class: eng3"]an interrog. pronoun related to tis[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: eng"]cannot[/TD]
[TD="class: greek2"]δυνάμενον[/TD]
[TD="class: translit"]dunamenon[/TD]
[TD="class: strongsnt"]1410[/TD]
[TD="class: eng2"]to be able, to have power[/TD]
[TD="class: eng3"]a prim. verb[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: eng"]sympathize[/TD]
[TD="class: greek2"]συμπαθῆσαι[/TD]
[TD="class: translit"]sumpathēsai[/TD]
[TD="class: strongsnt"]4834[/TD]
[TD="class: eng2"]to have a fellow feeling with, i.e. sympathize with[/TD]
[TD="class: eng3"]from sumpathés[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: eng"]with our weaknesses,[/TD]
[TD="class: greek2"]ἀσθενείαις[/TD]
[TD="class: translit"]astheneiais[/TD]
[TD="class: strongsnt"]769[/TD]
[TD="class: eng2"]weakness, frailty[/TD]
[TD="class: eng3"]from asthenés[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: eng"]but One who[/TD]
[TD="class: greek2"][/TD]
[TD="class: translit"][/TD]
[TD="class: strongsnt"]5101[/TD]
[TD="class: eng2"]who? which? what?[/TD]
[TD="class: eng3"]an interrog. pronoun related to tis[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: eng"]has been tempted[/TD]
[TD="class: greek2"]πεπειρασμένον[/TD]
[TD="class: translit"]pepeirasmenon[/TD]
[TD="class: strongsnt"]3985[/TD]
[TD="class: eng2"]to make proof of, to attempt, test, tempt[/TD]
[TD="class: eng3"]from peira[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: eng"]in all things[/TD]
[TD="class: greek2"]πάντα[/TD]
[TD="class: translit"]panta[/TD]
[TD="class: strongsnt"]3956[/TD]
[TD="class: eng2"]all, every[/TD]
[TD="class: eng3"]a prim. word[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: eng"]as [we are, yet] without[/TD]
[TD="class: greek2"]χωρὶς[/TD]
[TD="class: translit"]chōris[/TD]
[TD="class: strongsnt"]5565[/TD]
[TD="class: eng2"]separately, separate from[/TD]
[TD="class: eng3"]adverb akin to chéros (bereaved)[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: eng"]sin.[/TD]
[TD="class: greek2"]ἁμαρτίας[/TD]
[TD="class: translit"]amartias[/TD]
[TD="class: strongsnt"]266[/TD]
[TD="class: eng2"]a sin, failure[/TD]
[TD="class: eng3"]from hamartanó[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

 

[7seasrekeyed]

Another word for empathy

noun

1. Sympathetic, sad concern for someone in misfortune:
   commiseration, compassion, condolence, pity, sympathy. See pity
2. A very close understanding between persons:

SMART Thesaurus

The SMART Thesaurus shows synonyms, related words and phrases that make up this topic.

• attuned
• commune
• communicate
• communion
• emotional intelligence
• empathetic
• empathize
• empathy
• put
• put yourself in sb's place/position/shoes idiom
• rapport
• relate
• sensitive
• sensitivity
• sympathetic
• sympathize
• understand
• understanding

understanding....get some

 

[DevotiontoBible]

you lack understanding as you have amply illustrated in most of your contributions to this forum

you appear to be like cement...all mixed up and set

there are some translations that actually render the word sympathize or touched (as in the KJ that I used) as empathize, such as the NIV below


15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.

however, the word sympathize and touched is also used...but you are wrong in your understanding and desiring to argue to be always right...that is your personality...nothing to do with the truth of scripture and it is your undoing

for example, even the meaning of sympathize, as indicated in your choice of translation means what we are saying it means and not another meaning...it means to share one's feelings which is to have empathy

you simply want to be right in order to be right to prove to yourself you are right in your path

you are the blind leading the blind here and make no more sense than in your ridiculous thread lumping all charismatics together and not understanding that you were actually speaking of several groups

you are going to bump into something very painful if you insist on always being right at the exclusion of actual truth, if it has not already happened

I have responded to you here to illustrate what you are doing in this forum...it seems more like some kind of personal agenda and I would almost think you to be a troll the way you carry on

as it is, I was addressing the op, not you personally, but as you choose to try to argue with me in any thread I post in where you may also be present, you now have your complete answer.

I could care less if you agree or do not agree with what just about ALL, if not all of us are trying to tell you

your attitude is the problem

it seems you will say that white is black and black is white .. I am starting to believe you may actually see things that way



[TABLE="class: maintext, width: 100%"]
[TR]
[TD="class: top, width: 18%, bgcolor: #0099FF"]NASB ©[/TD]
[TD="class: top, width: 18%, bgcolor: #0099FF"]Greek[/TD]
[TD="class: top, width: 18%, bgcolor: #0099FF"]Transliteration[/TD]
[TD="class: top, width: 10%, bgcolor: #0099FF"]Strong's[/TD]
[TD="class: top, width: 18%, bgcolor: #0099FF"]Definition[/TD]
[TD="class: top, width: 18%, bgcolor: #0099FF"]Origin[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: eng"]For we do not have[/TD]
[TD="class: greek2"]ἔχομεν[/TD]
[TD="class: translit"]echomen[/TD]
[TD="class: strongsnt"]2192[/TD]
[TD="class: eng2"]to have, hold[/TD]
[TD="class: eng3"]a prim. verb[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: eng"]a high priest[/TD]
[TD="class: greek2"]ἀρχιερέα[/TD]
[TD="class: translit"]archierea[/TD]
[TD="class: strongsnt"]749[/TD]
[TD="class: eng2"]high priest[/TD]
[TD="class: eng3"]from archó and hiereus[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: eng"]who[/TD]
[TD="class: greek2"][/TD]
[TD="class: translit"][/TD]
[TD="class: strongsnt"]5101[/TD]
[TD="class: eng2"]who? which? what?[/TD]
[TD="class: eng3"]an interrog. pronoun related to tis[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: eng"]cannot[/TD]
[TD="class: greek2"]δυνάμενον[/TD]
[TD="class: translit"]dunamenon[/TD]
[TD="class: strongsnt"]1410[/TD]
[TD="class: eng2"]to be able, to have power[/TD]
[TD="class: eng3"]a prim. verb[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: eng"]sympathize[/TD]
[TD="class: greek2"]συμπαθῆσαι[/TD]
[TD="class: translit"]sumpathēsai[/TD]
[TD="class: strongsnt"]4834[/TD]
[TD="class: eng2"]to have a fellow feeling with, i.e. sympathize with[/TD]
[TD="class: eng3"]from sumpathés[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: eng"]with our weaknesses,[/TD]
[TD="class: greek2"]ἀσθενείαις[/TD]
[TD="class: translit"]astheneiais[/TD]
[TD="class: strongsnt"]769[/TD]
[TD="class: eng2"]weakness, frailty[/TD]
[TD="class: eng3"]from asthenés[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: eng"]but One who[/TD]
[TD="class: greek2"][/TD]
[TD="class: translit"][/TD]
[TD="class: strongsnt"]5101[/TD]
[TD="class: eng2"]who? which? what?[/TD]
[TD="class: eng3"]an interrog. pronoun related to tis[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: eng"]has been tempted[/TD]
[TD="class: greek2"]πεπειρασμένον[/TD]
[TD="class: translit"]pepeirasmenon[/TD]
[TD="class: strongsnt"]3985[/TD]
[TD="class: eng2"]to make proof of, to attempt, test, tempt[/TD]
[TD="class: eng3"]from peira[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: eng"]in all things[/TD]
[TD="class: greek2"]πάντα[/TD]
[TD="class: translit"]panta[/TD]
[TD="class: strongsnt"]3956[/TD]
[TD="class: eng2"]all, every[/TD]
[TD="class: eng3"]a prim. word[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: eng"]as [we are, yet] without[/TD]
[TD="class: greek2"]χωρὶς[/TD]
[TD="class: translit"]chōris[/TD]
[TD="class: strongsnt"]5565[/TD]
[TD="class: eng2"]separately, separate from[/TD]
[TD="class: eng3"]adverb akin to chéros (bereaved)[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: eng"]sin.[/TD]
[TD="class: greek2"]ἁμαρτίας[/TD]
[TD="class: translit"]amartias[/TD]
[TD="class: strongsnt"]266[/TD]
[TD="class: eng2"]a sin, failure[/TD]
[TD="class: eng3"]from hamartanó[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

I understand that the Bible never uses the word "empathy" and that the Bible is the ultimate authority for truth...but you are not.

 

[7seasrekeyed]

I understand that the Bible never uses the word "empathy" and that the Bible is the ultimate authority for truth...but you are not.

what do you hope to gain by being contrary and refusing what is plainly written?

the lexicon above indicates exactly what I said even in the use of the word sympathize..it seems you actually DO NOT believe the Bible either

I am leaning towards troll like behavior on your part...I am not saying you are a troll, but you are acting like one

you are dogmatic in your error(s)