"It is as nonbiblical to separate emotion or passion from spirit as it is to disparage emotion or passion. The disparagement of emotion was made possible by ascribing to the rational faculty a power of sovereignty over the objects of its comprehension, thought be the active, moving principle, and the objects of knowledge the passive, inert material of comprehension. However, the act of thinking of an object is in itself an act of being moved by the object. In thinking we do not create an object; we are challenged by it . . . .
Emotion is inseparable from being filled with the spirit, which is above all a state of being moved. Often the spirit releases passion, an excessive discharge of nervous energy, enhanced vitality, increased inner strength, increased motor activity, a drive.
While spirit includes passion or emotion, it must not be reduced to either. Spirit implies the sense of sharing a supreme superindividual power, will, or wisdom."
Abraham J. Heschel, The Prophets (New York: HarperCollins, 1962), 405.
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