From Stone to Spirit: The Ten Commandments in Christ’s Teaching
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From Stone to Spirit: The Ten Commandments in Christ’s Teaching (Contents)
Section A: Foundations and Framework 1: Introduction to the Moral Law – From Sinai to Galilee 2: Dividing the Ten – The Two Great Themes of the Law 3: Jesus and the Law – From Mount Sinai to the Mount of Beatitudes 4: Cultural and Political Backdrop – Egypt, Sinai,…
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1: Introduction to the Moral Law – From Sinai to Galilee
The Ten Commandments and the Teachings of Jesus: A Theological, Cultural, and Political Exposition 1. Introduction The Ten Commandments, also known as the Decalogue, are among the most foundational ethical instructions in biblical theology. Revealed to Moses on Mount Sinai (Exodus 19–20), these commandments constitute the moral heart of the…
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2: Dividing the Ten – The Two Great Themes of the Law
The Ten Commandments and the Teachings of Jesus: A Theological, Cultural, and Political Exposition 1. Introduction The Ten Commandments (Exod. 20:1–17; Deut. 5:6–21) are often memorised as a list of ten, but the deeper structure reveals two primary relational themes: love for God and love for neighbour. This dual framework…
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3: Jesus and the Law – From Mount Sinai to the Mount of Beatitudes
The Ten Commandments and the Teachings of Jesus: A Theological, Cultural, and Political Exposition 1. Introduction The teachings of Jesus Christ represent a climactic moment in the history of biblical law. Far from abolishing the Law of Moses, Jesus clarifies, fulfils, and intensifies its moral meaning. This article explores how…
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4: Cultural and Political Backdrop – Egypt, Sinai, and Roman-Occupied Judea
The Ten Commandments and the Teachings of Jesus: A Theological, Cultural, and Political Exposition 1. Introduction To properly understand the Ten Commandments and the teachings of Jesus, one must examine the cultural and political contexts in which these laws were delivered and reinterpreted. The law given at Mount Sinai arose…
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5: No Other Gods – Exclusive Devotion in a Polytheistic World
The Ten Commandments and the Teachings of Jesus: A Theological, Cultural, and Political Exposition 1. Introduction The first commandment establishes the cornerstone of biblical theology: the exclusive worship of the one true God. In a world saturated with competing deities, political theologies, and spiritual allegiances, God’s command—“You shall have no…
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6: No Graven Images – Visible Idols vs. Invisible God
The Ten Commandments and the Teachings of Jesus: A Theological, Cultural, and Political Exposition 1. Introduction The second commandment addresses the manner in which God is to be worshipped. While the first commandment prohibits false gods, the second prohibits the false representation of the true God. It establishes that God…
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7: Do Not Misuse God’s Name – Reverent Speech in a Profane Culture
The Ten Commandments and the Teachings of Jesus: A Theological, Cultural, and Political Exposition 1. Introduction The third commandment addresses the sacredness of God’s name, placing speech in the realm of worship. It forbids not merely vulgarity or cursing, but any misuse, misrepresentation, or casual treatment of God’s identity. In…
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8: Remember the Sabbath – Rest, Resistance, and Renewal
The Ten Commandments and the Teachings of Jesus: A Theological, Cultural, and Political Exposition 1. Introduction The fourth commandment introduces a rhythm of divine rest into the moral framework of God’s people. The Sabbath is not merely a day off but a sacred institution, anchored in creation, covenant, and redemption.…
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9: Honour Your Parents – Family, Authority, and the Kingdom of God
The Ten Commandments and the Teachings of Jesus: A Theological, Cultural, and Political Exposition 1. Introduction The fifth commandment marks the transition point between duties to God and duties to fellow humans. It begins the second section of the Decalogue, yet it still retains a deeply theological orientation, as family…
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10: You Shall Not Murder – From Violence to Heart-Hatred
The Ten Commandments and the Teachings of Jesus: A Theological, Cultural, and Political Exposition 1. Introduction The sixth commandment is one of the most universally recognised moral imperatives: “You shall not murder.” At face value, it appears straightforward. Yet in the hands of Jesus, this commandment becomes a piercing examination…
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11: You Shall Not Commit Adultery – Covenant Fidelity and Sexual Ethics
The Ten Commandments and the Teachings of Jesus: A Theological, Cultural, and Political Exposition 1. Introduction The seventh commandment guards the sanctity of marriage, affirming sexual fidelity as a sacred covenantal duty. In both the Old and New Testaments, sexual ethics are never reduced to private preference or pleasure—they reflect…
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12: You Shall Not Steal – Respect for Property and Kingdom Contentment
The Ten Commandments and the Teachings of Jesus: A Theological, Cultural, and Political Exposition 1. Introduction The eighth commandment, “You shall not steal,” speaks to the ethical foundation of justice, property, and trust in community life. Theft is more than an economic violation; it is a breach of covenantal relationship…
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13: You Shall Not Bear False Witness – Truth in a Political Trial Culture
The Ten Commandments and the Teachings of Jesus: A Theological, Cultural, and Political Exposition 1. Introduction The ninth commandment safeguards the integrity of speech and justice by forbidding false testimony, especially in legal contexts. At its heart, it is a call to protect truth, trust, and neighbourly dignity. In Scripture,…
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14: You Shall Not Covet – The Inner Life and Kingdom Contentment
The Ten Commandments and the Teachings of Jesus: A Theological, Cultural, and Political Exposition 1. Introduction The tenth commandment penetrates to the root of human sinfulness by addressing inner desire rather than outward actions. Coveting is a disordered longing for what belongs to another, and it often underlies violations of…
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15: Jesus’ Two Commandments – Love God and Neighbour as a Gospel Lens on the Law
The Ten Commandments and the Teachings of Jesus: A Theological, Cultural, and Political Exposition 1. Introduction The Ten Commandments are foundational, but Jesus summarised their essence into two great commandments: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind” and “Love your neighbour as yourself” (Matt. 22:37–39).…
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16: From Law to Spirit – The Commandments in the New Covenant
The Ten Commandments and the Teachings of Jesus: A Theological, Cultural, and Political Exposition 1. Introduction The Ten Commandments remain foundational to the biblical vision of righteousness, yet the coming of Christ and the gift of the Holy Spirit usher in a new covenantal context. No longer written merely on…