Richard Aberdeen
Member
- Joined
- Jun 4, 2026
- Messages
- 266
Consider these three familiar base laws of human societies found in the King James Version of the Old Testament: 1) Thou shalt not kill; 2) Thou shalt not steal; 3) Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor. Then consider that you shouldn't kill, you shouldn't steal and you shouldn't lie, is moral instruction that virtually every well-meaning parent in the modern age, including atheistic parents, teach their children in the same or similar form.
A lot of confusion about the Bible today is due to the insistence of many to use the King James Version, which contains often difficult to understand and unduly harsh sounding language, bound to alienate many modern people for no good reason at all. And finally, consider that banning these or similar rules from public schools would quickly lead to a learning environment of disharmony, fear and chaos for our children.
It isn't possible to separate God's law from either American classrooms or from human society and, still have a society remaining. Like Paul says and Thomas Jefferson echoes in the Declaration, we ". . .show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness. . ." Consider how much less harsh these same laws could fairly be presented as 'you should not kill', 'you should not steal', etc. Isn't this how every caring parent wants their children to behave?
The New Testament teaches that all of the commandments are summed up in this, that we should love our neighbor as ourself Romans 13:8-10. Why do conservative Christians fight so hard for the so-called "ten commandments" to be posted in school classrooms, instead of fighting for Jesus' more simple and easier idea for children to follow, that we should treat other people the way we want to be treated Matthew 7:12?
The letter to the Romans teaches that God's "law" is singular "law", not plural "laws". If we break one small part of God's law, we have broken God's law; similar to if we break a small chip off of a valuable plate of rare expensive China, we destroy its value. There are over 400 parts to God's singular law; teaching children there are "ten" commandments is not even biblical.
It is very important to understand that unlike Christianity very wrongly promotes and practices, the New Testament is not about believing in or following a religion or about observing the Old Testament law. Rather, Jesus is about grace, mercy, love, peace and growing freedom: "Therefore, if the son makes you free, you shall be free, indeed" John 8:36.
According to Jesus himself, he came "to heal the broken in heart, to proclaim deliverance to the prisoners. . .to free those who are oppressed" Luke 4:18. And if we have asked Jesus to forgive us for our sins, we "are not under law, but under grace" Romans 6:14. When was the last time you heard that in a conservative Christian 'church'?
As an important side note, historically, it has been common practice to make the losers in war slaves of the victors. Thus the Greek for "prisoners" is likely referring to "slaves", that is, captives of war. When the Old Testament says that the Hebrews were led away into captivity, they became slaves in Babylon, as they were once slaves in Egypt. This was their penalty for idolatry and not obeying God.
God's law, as likewise the dictates of our own conscience, can be summed up in this, that we should love our neighbor as our self. Because God is love, what he wants is the best for our neighbor as well as our selves. Jesus says: "Therefore, whatever you want people to do to you, do also to them, for this is the law and the prophets" Matthew 7:12. There is no better idea in human history for positive change for humanity.
Under God's grace, we should use our freedom wisely to care about both our own selves and our neighbor. And as Jesus continues to speak today, ". . . you will know the truth and the truth will make you free. . . my way is easy and, my burden is light. . . this is my commandment, that you love one another, as I have loved you."
A lot of confusion about the Bible today is due to the insistence of many to use the King James Version, which contains often difficult to understand and unduly harsh sounding language, bound to alienate many modern people for no good reason at all. And finally, consider that banning these or similar rules from public schools would quickly lead to a learning environment of disharmony, fear and chaos for our children.
It isn't possible to separate God's law from either American classrooms or from human society and, still have a society remaining. Like Paul says and Thomas Jefferson echoes in the Declaration, we ". . .show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness. . ." Consider how much less harsh these same laws could fairly be presented as 'you should not kill', 'you should not steal', etc. Isn't this how every caring parent wants their children to behave?
The New Testament teaches that all of the commandments are summed up in this, that we should love our neighbor as ourself Romans 13:8-10. Why do conservative Christians fight so hard for the so-called "ten commandments" to be posted in school classrooms, instead of fighting for Jesus' more simple and easier idea for children to follow, that we should treat other people the way we want to be treated Matthew 7:12?
The letter to the Romans teaches that God's "law" is singular "law", not plural "laws". If we break one small part of God's law, we have broken God's law; similar to if we break a small chip off of a valuable plate of rare expensive China, we destroy its value. There are over 400 parts to God's singular law; teaching children there are "ten" commandments is not even biblical.
It is very important to understand that unlike Christianity very wrongly promotes and practices, the New Testament is not about believing in or following a religion or about observing the Old Testament law. Rather, Jesus is about grace, mercy, love, peace and growing freedom: "Therefore, if the son makes you free, you shall be free, indeed" John 8:36.
According to Jesus himself, he came "to heal the broken in heart, to proclaim deliverance to the prisoners. . .to free those who are oppressed" Luke 4:18. And if we have asked Jesus to forgive us for our sins, we "are not under law, but under grace" Romans 6:14. When was the last time you heard that in a conservative Christian 'church'?
As an important side note, historically, it has been common practice to make the losers in war slaves of the victors. Thus the Greek for "prisoners" is likely referring to "slaves", that is, captives of war. When the Old Testament says that the Hebrews were led away into captivity, they became slaves in Babylon, as they were once slaves in Egypt. This was their penalty for idolatry and not obeying God.
God's law, as likewise the dictates of our own conscience, can be summed up in this, that we should love our neighbor as our self. Because God is love, what he wants is the best for our neighbor as well as our selves. Jesus says: "Therefore, whatever you want people to do to you, do also to them, for this is the law and the prophets" Matthew 7:12. There is no better idea in human history for positive change for humanity.
Under God's grace, we should use our freedom wisely to care about both our own selves and our neighbor. And as Jesus continues to speak today, ". . . you will know the truth and the truth will make you free. . . my way is easy and, my burden is light. . . this is my commandment, that you love one another, as I have loved you."
