1. The Ten Commandments Mr. Richards Fall 2008

2. Introduction Most people know the Ten Commandments — or perhaps it is better to say that they think they know the Ten Commandments. The commandments are one of those cultural products that people imagine that they understand, but in reality, they frequently can't even name all of them, let alone explain them. People who already think they know all they need are unlikely to take the time to research the subject with any great care and precision. Most people know the Ten Commandments — or perhaps it is better to say that they think they know the Ten Commandments. The commandments are one of those cultural products that people imagine that they understand, but in reality, they frequently can't even name all of them, let alone explain them. People who already think they know all they need are unlikely to take the time to research the subject with any great care and precision.

3. 1 st Commandment Thou Shalt Not Have Any Gods Before Me Thou Shalt Not Have Any Gods Before Me There is only one God There is only one God Regards Pagan Gods Regards Pagan Gods – God of the sun, moon, trees, war, love

4. 2 nd Commandment Thou Shalt Not Make Graven Images Thou Shalt Not Make Graven Images

5. 3 rd Commandment Thou Shalt Not Take the Name of the Lord in Vain Thou Shalt Not Take the Name of the Lord in Vain No blasphemy, stupid! No blasphemy, stupid! Prohibition was limited to the use of the name of God in any frivolous manner. Prohibition was limited to the use of the name of God in any frivolous manner. Prohibition against the use of the name of God in magical or occult practices. Prohibition against the use of the name of God in magical or occult practices. Geez…Thank God!??! Geez…Thank God!??!

6. 4 th Commandment Remember the Sabbath, Keep It Holy Remember the Sabbath, Keep It Holy Only ritualistic commandment Only ritualistic commandment Hebrews seem to be the only ones to have set aside an entire day every week as sacred, reserved for honoring and remembering their god Hebrews seem to be the only ones to have set aside an entire day every week as sacred, reserved for honoring and remembering their god

7. 5 th Commandment Honor Thy Father and Mother Honor Thy Father and Mother True in ancient societies where life could be precarious and it’s a good way to ensure the maintenance of important social bonds True in ancient societies where life could be precarious and it’s a good way to ensure the maintenance of important social bonds Is the Fifth Commandment something that everyone should obey? Is the Fifth Commandment something that everyone should obey?

8. 6 th Commandment Thou Shalt Not Kill Thou Shalt Not Kill The most basic and easily accepted of all the commandments The most basic and easily accepted of all the commandments Relies upon a superficial and uninformed understanding of what is going on Relies upon a superficial and uninformed understanding of what is going on Self-defense Self-defense Contradictory to members of the military? Contradictory to members of the military?

9. 7 th Commandment Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery Any act of sexual intercourse outside of marriage Any act of sexual intercourse outside of marriage Any act of sexual intercourse between a married person and someone who is not their spouse Any act of sexual intercourse between a married person and someone who is not their spouse

10. 8 th Commandment Thou Shalt Not Steal Thou Shalt Not Steal A prohibition against stealing from another individual or just against the government A prohibition against stealing from another individual or just against the government A starving man steals bread for his family… A starving man steals bread for his family…

11. 9 th Commandment Thou Shalt Not Bear False Witness Thou Shalt Not Bear False Witness Prohibit lying in a court of law (perjury) Prohibit lying in a court of law (perjury) For the ancient Hebrews, anyone caught lying during their testimony could be forced to submit to whatever punishment would have been imposed upon the accused — including death For the ancient Hebrews, anyone caught lying during their testimony could be forced to submit to whatever punishment would have been imposed upon the accused — including death

12. 10 th Commandment Thou Shalt Not Covet Thou Shalt Not Covet The most difficult to justify imposing upon others, and in some ways the least reflective of modern morality—materialism The most difficult to justify imposing upon others, and in some ways the least reflective of modern morality—materialism “If I see myself as what I actually am, as the house of the Holy Spirit, as the temple of God” What then belongs to me? “If I see myself as what I actually am, as the house of the Holy Spirit, as the temple of God” What then belongs to me?

13. Catholic/Lutheran (As per Augustine, around 400 A.D.) Protestant/Orthodox Churches and Communities (As per Origen around 200 A.D.) 1 I am the Lord your God: you shall not have strange Gods before me. I am the Lord thy God which brought thee out of the land of Egypt. Thou shalt have no other gods before Me. 2 You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in Vain. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image. 3 Remember to keep holy the Lord's Day. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain. 4 Honour your father and your mother. Remember the Sabbath Day. 5 You shall not kill.Honor thy father and mother. 6 You shall not commit adultry.Thou shalt not kill. 7 You shall not steal.Thou shalt not commit adultery. 8 You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour. Thou shalt not steal. 9 You shall not covet your neighbour's wife. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor. 10 You shall not covet your Neighbour's goods. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house nor his wife nor anything that belongs to him.

14. Enforcement… Who enforces the 10 commandments? Who enforces the 10 commandments? –______________