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Between Babel and Beast
(America and Empires in Biblical Perspective)
The Glory of Kings: A Festschrift for James B. Jordan
Fyodor Dostoevsky
(Christian Encounters Series)
Athanasius
(Foundations of Theological Exegesis and Christian Spirituality)
The Four: A Survey of the Gospels
Defending Constantine: The Twilight of an Empire and the Dawn of Christendom
From Behind the Veil: The Epistles of John
Deep Exegesis:The Mystery of Reading Scripture
1 & 2 Kings
Brazos Theological Commentary
The Promise Of His Appearing: An Exposition Of Second Peter
A Great Mystery: Fourteen Wedding Sermons
Deep Comedy: Trinity, Tragedy, And Hope In Western Literature
Miniatures & Morals: The Christian Novels of Jane Austen
The Priesthood of the Plebs: A Theology of Baptism
A Son To Me: An Exposition of 1 & 2 Samuel
From Silence to Song: The Davidic Liturgical Revolution
Ascent to Love: A Guide to Dante's Divine Comedy
Blessed Are the Hungry: Meditations on the Lord's Supper
A House For My Name: A Survey of the Old Testament
Heroes of the City of Man: A Christian Guide to Select Ancient Literature
Brightest Heaven of Invention: A Christian Guide To Six Shakespeare Plays
Wise Words: Family Stories That Bring the Proverbs to Life
The Kingdom and the Power: Rediscovering the Centrality of the Church
The Ten Words deal with perennial sins. Idolaters are everywhere all the time. We all hate, lust, envy. Poison of asps is under our lips too. The Ten Words are addressed to us because they are addressed to everyone.
But what use are all these detailed commandments? Why do we need to know that God told Israel not to cut altar stones with tools and not to build altar steps? Can’t we skip ahead to passages that apply to us?
For starters: All Scripture is God-breathed, given to train us in righteousness. We may not see immediately how these commandments apply, but as we meditate on them we are equipped for every good work.
God says, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Without specifics, we decide for ourselves what it means to love. But we don’t know the first thing about love, so God adds: If you break the lawnmower you borrowed, pay for it. If you dig a pit make sure you cover it so no one falls in. If you see your enemy’s ox wandering, send it back to him.
God speaks specifically to interfere in the details of our lives, because He knows how ignorant and weak we are. He speaks specifically to humble us, to transform us into men and women of God by His Word and Spirit.
posted by Peter J. Leithart on Sunday, June 24, 2012 at 5:31 am
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