The Ten Commandments Still Under Fire

It is perhaps not strange to hear that the Ten Commandments are under fire. They have had an uphill battle from the very beginning: when their presentation was met immediately with Israel’s disobedience—and with mankind’s continued disobedience ever since then. But in the present context they are “under fire” in a different way. They are being “tried” in the land’s highest court.

One federal court has ruled that a public display of the Ten Commandments is constitutional while another federal court has ordered them removed from public property. The controversy has led the case into the very halls of the Supreme Court. Are the Ten Commandments in violation of the First Amendment, which says that the state should not establish its own religion? It is said to be the first time in history that the Supreme Court has heard oral arguments in defense of the Commandments. Does it not seem strange that the very pillars of constitutional law should themselves become the subject for legal defense before the court whose very existence can be attributed to these pillars? But such is the ambiguous nature of sinful man.

The Ten Commandments as the pillars of an ordered society are not the property of any particular religion. If any faith could claim them it would be the Jewish faith, since originally they were delivered by Moses as the Lawgiver to the people of Israel. But they were also meant for all people. Their use as employed by the world in general is that of a “curb,” and it is in the context of this use that present-day debates over the commandments must be viewed.

For Christians, of course, these take on a deeper meaning than simply ten God-given regulations for an ordered society. As our Catechism teaches us, they serve chiefly as a “mirror” in which we see ourselves for what we truly are, sinners in need of a Savior; and they are a guide (rule) by which we can know best how to please God. Most importantly they are spiritual, that is, they involve the heart and not just outward conformity. It is because of our total inability to keep them in their deeper meaning that God found it necessary to send His Son who fulfilled the commandments for us (Romans 10:4). The display of the Commandments on public property should cause no concern for the protectors of the Constitution. That being said, Christians will view these Commandments through Scripture’s eyeglasses.

They Want Our Help But Not Our God

Following the horrific destruction caused by the tsunami disaster in Indonesia and south Asia, enormous aid projects have been undertaken to help restore some semblance of normality to the affected countries. It so happens that much of the area affected was dominated by heathen religions. Much of the aid that has been proffered comes through Christian organizations.

This aid has the potential of being a great opportunity for spreading the Gospel and the Christian faith. However, there have been reports of anti-Christian activity where the aid is being distributed, and that such charitable endeavors are met with deep suspicion. In Sri Lanka, for example, Hindu militants burned the houses of many Christians. This incident was kept out of the news. Otherwise, as one spokesman said, “It would have led to serious problems and violence.” The national Buddhist political party there is skeptical about the huge sums of money pouring in from Christian organizations. In India Hindu radicals have posted notices accusing Christians of trying to convert victims of the tsunami.

So what appeared to be a great opportunity for Christian missions has met with considerable opposition. It is as another spokesman put it: (“Religious opponents) are trying to create mischief, but we are focusing on relief work.” Another said, “Our approach has been not to practice overt evangelism.” This is not to say that all Christian aid is met with suspicion and that little gratitude has been shown. “Christians by and large have been very sensitive,” said one worker, and it was his experience that in general people were grateful and cordial towards the Christians’ help. Only time will tell what effect Christian involvement in aid to tsunami victims will have on the non-Christian population of South Asia. Though the devil works hard to keep people in darkness, we know that God can and does bring blessing out of disaster.

Not The Lutheran Way

Indecision and confusion can best describe the statements that have come from the ELCA task force whose duty it is to examine for its church body the question of same-sex relationships. The task force’s ambivalence was even noted by humorist Garrison Keillor, who said it “took 40 pages to avoid answering” the question. Then, in a parody of the task force statements Keillor captures their ambivalence: “Nothing has changed essentially, we don’t approve, though in a sense we do but probably not, but if you go ahead and do it, don’t feel bad about it, we understand … This is the Lutheran way” (from the Mpls. Star Tribune). Keillor’s observation is sad but true. We would disagree, however, that this is the “Lutheran way.” Ambivalence may appeal to some as a way to avoid hurt feelings, but the true Lutheran way is to rely on Scripture alone and not on man’s philosophy or opinion.

Paul Madson is a retired pastor living in North Mankato, Minnesota.