From time to time certain Christian groups will get all up in arms over posting the Ten Commandments in some public place like a courthouse or a school or what have you. I have always thought this was misguided effort actually. Today, while reading from the Book of Concord the the readings suggested in the Treasury of Daily Prayer, I read this from the Large Catechism:
67] From this you perceive that the Creed (from what goes before this we understand this to mean the Gospel) is a doctrine quite different from the Ten Commandments; for the latter teaches indeed what we ought to do, but the former tells what God does for us and gives to us. Moreover, apart from this, the Ten Commandments are written in the hearts of all men; the Creed (again the Gospel), however, no human wisdom can comprehend, but it must be taught by the Holy Ghost alone. 68] The latter doctrine [of the Law], therefore, makes no Christian, for the wrath and displeasure of God abide upon us still, because we cannot keep what God demands of us; but this [namely, the doctrine of faith] brings pure grace, and makes us godly and acceptable to God. 69] For by this knowledge we obtain love and delight in all the commandments of God, because here we see that God gives Himself entire to us, with all that He has and is able to do, to aid and direct us in keeping the Ten Commandments-the Father, all creatures; the Son, His entire work; and the Holy Ghost, all His gifts.
So it seems to me that if you want to put something out in public it ought to be the Creed, not the commandments. The law they already know, even if they would fight against it and deny it, it is the Gospel that is a mystery to them. But even that is no good, really just having the words there makes no sense, they need to hear the Law and the Gospel preached to them together, rightly divided. I don't think you can really do this effectively in a plaque on a courthouse wall.
67] From this you perceive that the Creed (from what goes before this we understand this to mean the Gospel) is a doctrine quite different from the Ten Commandments; for the latter teaches indeed what we ought to do, but the former tells what God does for us and gives to us. Moreover, apart from this, the Ten Commandments are written in the hearts of all men; the Creed (again the Gospel), however, no human wisdom can comprehend, but it must be taught by the Holy Ghost alone. 68] The latter doctrine [of the Law], therefore, makes no Christian, for the wrath and displeasure of God abide upon us still, because we cannot keep what God demands of us; but this [namely, the doctrine of faith] brings pure grace, and makes us godly and acceptable to God. 69] For by this knowledge we obtain love and delight in all the commandments of God, because here we see that God gives Himself entire to us, with all that He has and is able to do, to aid and direct us in keeping the Ten Commandments-the Father, all creatures; the Son, His entire work; and the Holy Ghost, all His gifts.
So it seems to me that if you want to put something out in public it ought to be the Creed, not the commandments. The law they already know, even if they would fight against it and deny it, it is the Gospel that is a mystery to them. But even that is no good, really just having the words there makes no sense, they need to hear the Law and the Gospel preached to them together, rightly divided. I don't think you can really do this effectively in a plaque on a courthouse wall.
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