Pathway to Freedom: How God's Laws Guide Our Lives

by Alistair Begg

There's good news for lawbreakers! Alistair Begg's Pathway to Freedom will help strengthen morally indifferent Christians, by teaching the importance of obedience to God's Word. This fresh look at the Ten Commandments is desperately needed in today's secular culture.

Genres: Christian Living, Christian, Theology, Nonfiction, Discipleship, Faith, Christianity

238 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2003

About the author

Alistair Begg has been in pastoral ministry since 1975. Following graduation from The London School of Theology, he served eight years in Scotland at both Charlotte Chapel in Edinburgh and Hamilton Baptist Church.

In 1983, he became the senior pastor at Parkside Church near Cleveland, Ohio. He has written several books and is heard daily and weekly on the radio program, Truth For Life. The teaching on Truth For Life stems from the week by week Bible teaching at Parkside Church.

Reviews

[David Zimmerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is typical Begg, rich in biblical clarity, practical instruction, and no small amount of humor. I used this as a reference for a series of lessons on The Ten Commandments for Today. I found each chapter (one per commandment) to be insightful and helpful. I recommend this volume to anyone who wants a better, more biblical understanding of the richness of the commandments, for both living and teaching.

[Conrad · Rating 4 out of 5]

We used this for our men's morning bible study. A good and thought-provoking study into the Ten Commandments and their relevance to our daily life.

[Ian Ritchie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a rich exposition of the moral law of God. Each chapter covers one commandment, teaching the three uses of the law and often helped by the framework set by the Westminster Shorter Catechism and the Heidelberg Catechism. Very practical, challenging, and encouraging all the same.

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pathway to Freedom offers a good basic overview of the Ten Commandments and their implications for believers. That being said, I much prefer Alistair Begg as a speaker rather than a writer.

[Lance Lumley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I recieved this book via Moody Radio as a giveaway. I know Begg is a speaker and is on the radio, but have never heard him or read his books. This book was interesting, dealing with an in depth look at The Ten Commandments. I read one chapter a day, almost like a devotional, so I could let it sink in. There were a few things that was odd to me, like when he writes a time when a preacher used sermon time to let an artist paint a picture during the time, and he compaired that to worshiping an idol, or that a church with a picture hanging in the sanctuary is the same as idol worship. This idea is definately not viewed by many churches, who have lights and such during their worship services. I am not saying I agree or disagree with the concept, it was just something that made me think.
Overall the book is a good use for a devotional and gets the reader to think about each of the commandments. Christians may know what they are, but the way Begg adds his take on it, makes the reader think even more about either things that are in the modern church or how they view their lives, and I guess that's what these type of books are for; to make the reader think.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good treatment of the ten commandments. In a world that is increasingly relativistic, the text is a good reminder of why God gave us the law and the implications of it in our own life. There is continued application of these things in our life for a good life. With that said, although the book is only three years old, the rapid decay of a societal ethos has left some of it out of date.

Further, as most reformed pastors and speakers will do, there was a heavy reliance on scripture, as well as the Heidelberg and Westminster Confessions of Faith. I feel like it was good overview, but left some things lacking.

[Phillip · Rating 5 out of 5]

While some may think the author goes to far in his making so much of sin, it may be that he doesn't go far enough. If the believer would at least agree with him as to the depth of our sin and the distance we have stayed from the path we are called to, it might be a very good thing. Then we could come to Jesus with a clearer understanding of our true need. We could engage each other with a greater compassion since we are aware of the great price Christ paid for us. We may even be more earnest in our desire to see the salvation of those who are lost. The 10th chapter and the epilogue pull the whole work together with the truth of our need and a hope in the One who came to save.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid book on the continuing relevance of God's moral law (i.e. the Ten Commandments) in the lives of Christians. He gives this good summary of the relevance, "We are not 'under law' as a way of justification, and yet we are 'under law' as the God-given pattern of life. On the pathway to freedom the travelers may be heard saying to each other, 'We know that we have come to know Him because we keep His commands.'" I appreciate the explanation and application he provides for each commandment and that he is able to explain each simply with language anybody can understand.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy and insightful read. Though if you're looking for something on the role of God's law in Christian life, this book did not dive deep enough in that topic. And if you're looking for an exposition on the Ten Commandments, I feel a better read would be something like Thomas Watson's Ten Commandments (though I have not yet read that).

[RJ Gernant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read paperback copy for a book club. This was the first Alistair Begg book I have read. It’s based on a sermon series that he converted into a book based on the Ten Commandments and wherein he brings in the Westminster and Heidelberg catechisms which I thought added very appropriately to the material. Recommend.

[Marine Captain Kimberly Landen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Breaks down the book of Exodus. Was simple to read. I always like reading about the ten comandments and Moses' Burning bush....Is a good read for Penecost.. Learn to care about Gods Laws TY God Bless

[Emily Winfrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone should spend time meditating on the law of God in the Ten Commandments. This book provides a beautiful balance between showing the perfection of the law (and our miserable ability to keep it) contrasted with Christ and his finished work. A must read!

[Jason Poquette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe the best treatment of this subject I have read. Contemporary, but built on a deep and solid historical foundation of truth. Well, documented, but not pedantic. Engaging, but not superficial.

[Joshua Loftin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book on the topic of the Ten Commandments. There is practical application in each chapter regarding each commandment. This book is recommended for anyone wanting to dive into the Ten Commandments in depth.

[Logan Almy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An accessible treatment of the role of God's Law in the Christian life & a refreshing corrective to the Antinomianism pervasive in many evangelical churches!

[Ryan Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great exposition of the Ten Commandments and how they relate to our lives. Do recommend it, but like other reviewers have said, I much prefer his speaking.

[Danny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this fresh look at how God’s Laws should guide our lives. Some of my favorite quotes include:
"Unless there is a God who is himself Goodness and Justice, there can be no ultimate moral basis for the law. For if there is no God, nothing can take his place. No human standard-no person, no group of people, no document is immune to challenge." Arthur Leff
Ironically, legalism seems to breed best where the Law of God is regarded as having no abiding place as a rule of life in the child of God.
“If I profess with the loudest voice and clearest exposition every portion of the truth of God except precisely that little point which the world and the devil are at that moment attacking, I am not confessing Christ, however boldly I may be professing Christ. Where the battle rages, there the loyalty of the soldier is proved, and to be steady on all the battlefield besides is mere flight and disgrace if he flinches at that point.” Martin Luther
It is not enough to worship the correct God. We must worship the correct God correctly.
“When Sunday is swallowed up by the weekend and loses its uniqueness, its holiness, as the Lord’s Day, then you and I are the inevitable losers. We cannot, by taking shortcuts, gain what the Sabbath is designed to give us. McSabbath may satisfy the immediate itch, but it cannot satisfy our souls.” from Celebrating the Sabbath by Bruce A Ray
God’s Provision
How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure
How deep the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory
Stuart Townend

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand
Stuart Townend and Keith Getty

[Jacob · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve benefited from the work of many Christian authors and preachers in my life, but Alistair Begg has a special place in my heart. It was through listening to his sermons, podcasted through Truth For Life, that I discovered a whole new world of expository preaching. For the first time that I can remember, I was listening to the Bible taught and applied on its own terms rather than marshaled to make someone else’s point. I had developed somewhat of a mistrust for most contemporary preachers, but Alistair Begg taught me that there were still some men preaching in churches who considered it their duty to remain faithful to proclaim what the Bible says. For that I am grateful.

This book, Pathway to Freedom, is an exposition of the Ten Commandments and an attempt to show their importance to the Christian life. Since it is based on a series of sermons he preached, it might be surprising that I didn’t rush to read through this book when I first received it. Ultimately, I guess I had concluded that I already knew what he was going to say, so there wasn’t much more to be gained from reading it. I’m glad to say that I was mistaken. Having read through it now, I can say this is an excellent book and one that I’d recommend heartily.
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[Joshua · Rating 5 out of 5]

Begg does a fantastic job in writing about the Ten Commandments to the people of this generation.

What I like most is that he doesn’t plunge straight into the Ten Commandments. Instead, he includes a lengthy prologue about the balance between legalism and antinomianism, and why it is critical to avoid both. Instead, there is a middle path: on trusting solely in Christ for salvation, while using the law as a guide for obedience.

After the prologue, Begg shared his perspective of each of the 10 commandments, and its relevance for our time. He quotes from the Puritans, including on Samuel Bolton’s “The True Bound or Christian Freedom” (which is my next book).


He ends it off as well as he starts. After working towards the dangers we are all in, he asks the critical question: do the readers know Jesus and trust in his salvation? If they do, they have a pathway to freedom of trusting in Christ and living a life in accordance with God’s perfect laws as found in the Bible!

[Natalie Weber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alistair Begg begins by outlining the threefold use of the law: 1. The Civil or Political Function of the Law, 2. The Pedagogical Function of the Law, and 3. A Rule of Life for Believers. The following two poems encapsulate the essence of the law, not for justification, but as an expression of our lives once we have been justified:
When once the fiery Law of God
Has chas’d me to the Gospel Road;
Then back unto the holy law
Most kindly Gospel-grace will draw.

Not the labors of my hands
Could fulfill Thy law’s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone.

The rest of the book is spent going through each of the Ten Commandments (one per chapter), discussing their relevance and application to our lives today as Christians.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you only read the Prologue of this book you will be blessed. Although the book is about the 10 commandments, it's really about grace. This is not a moralistic book about being good - as you learn God's intent of the Commands you will realize you could never be good enough. That's when grace takes over. The law's purpose is to always point you to Jesus Christ and the grace he provides in his death and resurrection. I highly recommend this book.

[Jon · Rating 4 out of 5]

As usual, Mr Begg wrote a great book and has based it closely on God's word. You don't have to be a theologian to read it. It's actually very conversational and timely.

The 10 Commandments weren't just for then, they're for now as much as any other part of the Bible. I challenge those of you who think that you're good enough or that God is "Love" and nothing else, to carefully read this work and understand that the one way to freedom is in Jesus.

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Hound of the Baskervilles
Love it! Love it! Love it! I love all the Sherlock Holmes stuff. It never gets old and it always has me guessing. Well, I guessed right this time and figured out whodunit quite a while before it was revealed which I've never been able to do with a Holmes story before; however, it's been a long time since I've read them, my own deduction skills may be better honed.. :D

[Craig Scobie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pathway to Freedom: How God’s Laws Guide Our Lives

I liked the truth recorded by Allister Begg and his scripture verses credit backing the truth.
I recommend this book to all who desire to know God better. I especially recommend it to those of us who recognize our own self-righteousness.

[James Nasipak · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always enjoyed the preaching and writing of Alistair Begg. Begg walks the reader through the Ten Commandments as he shows that they were not given to be a "step ladder" to salvation but a mirror that reflects the sin in our lives which draws us to Christ even more. It is an excellent book that could easily be used for a church class or home study.

[Jerrill Wyler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alastair Begg is the man! This is one of the best "theological" books I have read. He puts things in such a way that anyone can grasp it, yet it doesn't feel like he's talking to eight year olds. Highly recommend.

[Aaron Carlberg]

Alistair is always good, even better live so you can hear the Scottish accent.

[watch · Rating 4 out of 5]

you are pathway to freedom

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal study on the 10 Commandments. Highest recommendation.

[Brian Algie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good introductory book to the Ten Commandments.