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The Ten Commandments aren't just an ancient list of rules—they're the foundation of covenant theology and ethical monotheism, two concepts that appear throughout your study of Christianity and its Jewish roots. When you understand these commandments, you're grasping how early believers understood their relationship with God and with each other. The commandments reveal a two-directional ethical framework: vertical duties (human-to-God) and horizontal duties (human-to-human), a structure that shapes Christian moral teaching to this day.
You're being tested on more than memorizing "thou shalt not"—you need to understand why these commandments matter theologically and how they function as covenant stipulations. Think of them as the terms of a treaty between God and Israel, establishing expectations for both worship and community life. Don't just memorize the list; know what each commandment reveals about divine authority, human dignity, and social ethics.
Before diving into individual commandments, understand the context: these laws emerge from a theophany (a visible manifestation of God) at Mount Sinai. This isn't arbitrary rule-making—it's relationship-establishing.
The first section of commandments establishes proper worship and reverence. These aren't suggestions—they define what exclusive monotheism looks like in practice.
Compare: Idolatry prohibition vs. Sabbath observance—both define covenant loyalty, but one works through rejection (what not to worship) while the other works through practice (what to do). FRQs often ask how rituals reinforce theological beliefs—Sabbath is your go-to example.
The remaining commandments govern social relationships, establishing that ethics flow from theology. How you treat others reflects your relationship with God.
Compare: Murder prohibition vs. Adultery prohibition—both protect relationships, but one guards life itself while the other guards covenant faithfulness. Both reflect the principle that humans belong to God and to each other.
Compare: Stealing vs. Coveting—one prohibits the action, the other prohibits the desire that leads to action. This distinction is crucial for understanding how the commandments address both behavior and motivation. If asked about internal vs. external ethics, this pair illustrates the concept perfectly.
| Concept | Best Examples |
|---|---|
| Exclusive Monotheism | Idolatry prohibition, Honoring God's name |
| Covenant Theology | Sinai event, Sabbath as covenant sign |
| Human Dignity | Murder prohibition, False witness prohibition |
| Social Ethics | Honoring parents, Stealing prohibition |
| Internal vs. External Obedience | Coveting prohibition, Adultery prohibition |
| Divine-Human Relationship | First four commandments collectively |
| Human-Human Relationship | Last six commandments collectively |
Which two commandments most clearly establish the principle of exclusive monotheism, and how do they accomplish this differently?
The Sabbath commandment functions as a "covenant sign." What does this mean, and how does observing Sabbath differ from simply following a rule?
Compare and contrast the prohibitions against murder and coveting—what do they reveal about whether biblical ethics focuses on actions, intentions, or both?
How does the commandment to honor parents serve as a bridge between the vertical (God-focused) and horizontal (human-focused) sections of the Ten Commandments?
If an FRQ asked you to explain how the Ten Commandments reflect covenant theology, which three commandments would you choose as evidence, and why?