Meditations On The Ten Commandments

You know them. But do you understand them? The Ten Commandments have become so familiar to us that we don't think about what they actually mean. They've been used by Christians throughout history as the basis for worship, confessions, prayer, even civil law. Are these ancient words still relevant for us today? Their outward simplicity hides their inward complexity. Jesus himself sums up the entire law in a pair of commandments: Love God with all your heart, mind, and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself. Peter Leithart re-introduces the Ten Commandments. He shows us how they address every arena of human life, giving us a portrait of life under the lordship of Jesus, who is the heart and soul of the commandments.

"Decalogue: A Meditation on the Ten Commandments" is a series of reflections on the ten-pillar Mosaic code.For 3,300 years, the Ten Commandments have constituted a central moral framework for human society with a broad and deep influence. "Decalogue" plumbs afresh this moral influence, while also arguing for its metaphysical and remedial importance. The book is neither academic nor sectarian in approach. Instead, author Lance Matteson takes up his subject from a biblical standpoint based on his study of Christian Science, founded in the late nineteenth century by Mary Baker Eddy. The author also brings to bear his training as a lawyer - bringing out legal nuances about such pivotal elements as justice, consistency, and accountability. No doubt the author gained insight too from his nine years working in the Holy Land, doing projects with the Palestinians that required ongoing negotiations with Israeli Jews and Arab Muslims and Christians - that is, with the monotheistic heirs of Abraham and Moses.The book's structure is simple. After a prefatory introduction, a single chapter is devoted in turn to each of the Ten Commandments, with a closing chapter that looks comprehensively at the Decalogue as a whole. The discussion is straightforward, yet at times dense. Each Commandment is analyzed thoroughly. The sequential logic and connection of each command with the next is indicated.The overall attitude of the book is "big picture" generic, reflective, rational. How can we place these simple historic laws in perspective? How do they interrelate? What is their rationale, their underlying logic? What is their importance to society and individuals? Why do they matter? Matteson challenges the reader to think. The author is upfront about his reverence for Scripture, while displaying respect for nonbelievers. But those under the impression these axiomatic norms are quaint and obsolete should be prepared for a spirited counterargument.

When asked by his barber and good friend, Peter Beskendorf, for some practical guidance on how to prepare oneself for prayer, Luther responded by writing this brief treatise, first published in the spring of 1535. After 500 years, his instruction continues to offer words of spiritual nurture for us today.

Understanding the ten commandments

This book is targeting all generations for use in studying, teaching and applying the Ten Commandments spiritually and morally. In this book the Ten Commandments become living entities to help a teacher present lessons from life as well as appropriate anecdotes. It is easy to use, understand and benefit from.

The Ten Commandments were not meant for the times of the prophet Moses nor the times of the Old Testament, but were rather addressed to every generation, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law (Matt. 5:18). Through Christianity, the Ten Commandments were given a new meaning which coincided with the new standards understood by the believers in the New Testament. So the Commandments remain the same but their concept widens as God grants with His grace an opportunity for meditation. How true then was the prophet David when he said, "I have seen the consummation of all perfection, But Your commandment is exceedingly broad." (Ps. 119:96). This series of lectures were given in 1967 and have been published more than once. Pope Shenouda III

The Ten Commandments tell us how to behave, but they don't say much about the inner awareness from which outer behavior springs. Do the right thing, of course-- but better yet, find your inner light and doing the right thing becomes as natural as breathing. THE ZEN COMMANDMENTS offers ten powerful nudges toward that light. Drawing on sources from Zen stories and the Bible to jazz and rock 'n' roll, from American movies to Tibetan meditative techniques, Dean Sluyter steers clear of dogma and emphasizes what works-- a sort of spiritual street smarts. He shows that the state of boundless freedom and happiness isn't something distant or exotic, but is right here, while you're stuck in traffic or taking out the trash. And revisiting the Ten Commandments, he shows how on a deeper level they offer some surprising enlightenment wisdom of their own. “The book is extremely well written and joyously entertaining.” —Publishers Weekly “With sparkling clarity and wit, Sluyter's ten suggestions lay out the practical essentials of the path. My suggestion is: listen to this guy.” —Lama Surya Das, author of Awakening the Buddha Within “Dean Sluyter clearly presents simple but profound ways to live one's life consciously and skillfully. He teaches that the source of universal truth not only rests in the heart of every one of us, but is the essence of what ultimately brings us true happiness and freedom. This is a wonderful book with rich wisdom and deep insight.” —Rabbi David Cooper, author of God Is a Verb “No matter what your religion (or lack of it), this book shows how to live the kind of life people ache for. It turns out to be pretty simple.” —Jane Cavolina, co-author of Growing Up Catholic