The Ten Commandments Revisited

Some people hate rules, and they are free to do so. God created humans with free will. But God doesn’t want us to run wild. The Ten Commandments, which are repeated several times in the Bible, give us a roadmap on how to live life. But they are more than a moral code—and they are concerned with more than just appropriate conduct, correct values, and social order. They are a prescription for holiness, a spiritual life, and a life of faith. Looking beyond their prohibitive language reveals something about the will of God. For example, “Honor your father and mother” can imply the notion that we should not dishonor them. “Do not steal” can imply the notion of sharing and giving. By revisiting the Ten Commandments, Tom Kingery runs each law through a sieve that includes four perspectives important to the journey of faith—moral, ethical, social, and spiritual. By doing so, he breathes new life into the ancient laws. Reading this book will shed light on the path we take as we walk with God in obedience and loyalty.