Ten Words

One name for the Ten Commandments is the Decalogue, or the Ten Words. The reasoning is that in early Hebrew, the Ten Commandments were expressed in ten, simple words. A short, concise version of the Decalogue is:

* You shall have no other gods besides Me
* You shall not make for yourself an idol
* You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain
* Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
* Honor your father and your mother
* You shall not murder
* You shall not commit adultery
* You shall not steal.
* You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor
* You shall not covet

This set of principles, so marvelously simple and direct, yet so comprehensive in scope, has inspired thoughtful dialogue for centuries. In fact, those who penned the American Constitution drew from the Decalogue directly and indirectly. Further, the high ethical standards of the Ten Commandments have defined the limits of acceptable behavior for American society for most of its history.

Yet, we sadly must speak of the Decalogue and its place in the public and political life of America in the past tense. Speaking of God in the public square often gets one shouted down; the very nature of marriage and the family is being rethought completely; murder of innocents has become a choice; and, what one does in the privacy of his own home is sacred (which should be the case), but such private actions are no longer informed by any absolute standard of good.

Some have problems with what is viewed as the narrow, severe, and unchangeable character of the Ten Commandments. In fact, such is the case. These Laws are narrow in that they clearly define the boundary between right and wrong, good and evil. The Laws are severe in that they refused to be changed. The definition of good and evil embodied in this Code remains the same today as they were when given by God to Moses, despite modern America’s relativizing ways.

In the modern era, many describe the Constitution as a "living" document, one that is every evolving. Ironically, the historical document remains unchanged. The nation, through a very demanding process, has at times amended the Constitution. Basically, though, the amendments clarified the freedoms and responsibilities of the citizens of America, and enhanced the nature of the document without changing the essential nature of the Constitution. Like the Decalogue, the Constitution is itself somewhat narrow, severe, and unchangeable.

In the Ten Commandments, most of the commands are stated in the negative. Clarifying the "no’s" is far simpler than defining all the "yeses." When Paul wrote the Epistle to the Galatians, he included a list of character traits called the Fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5.22-23). After that catalogue of positive virtues, the Apostle stated, "against such there is no law." In other words, no limits exist on doing good; only bad behavior needs to be controlled.

Our Constitution is devoted, in part, to controlling bad behavior (laws against murder, stealing, bearing false witness, etc.). Other parts of the Constitution insure that some things are available to all (the right to worship, speak freely, assemble, etc.). Ironically, some abuse these rights and freedoms, yet, their right to do so is defended.

The three branches of the Federal Government have a vested interest in guarding the civic, social, and political boundaries defined by the Constitution. Society is both protected and perpetuated as constitutional safeguards are upheld. Churches have an even greater responsibility to uphold the ethical standards found in the Ten Commandments. In so doing, informed and free citizens can function responsibly in a constitutional society. When the government fails, freedoms are eroded. When the church fails, free people become undisciplined people.

In modern America, too often the government has redefined the boundaries for fear of offending some smaller segment of the larger community. And the church? Too many times, churches and Christian denominations have themselves redefined the demands of the Law. Consequently, some are confused and frustrated, while others indulge their wants, no longer restrained by constitutional or biblical principles.

The writer of Proverbs, perhaps anticipating such a condition, stated, "Where there is no vision, the people perish." When the "vision" of right and wrong disappears, the people, society, does perish.