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Christian Essentials Series
The Ten Commandments: A Guide to the Perfect Law of Liberty
You know them. But do you understand them?
The Ten Commandments have become so familiar to us that we don't think about what they actually mean. They've been used by Christians throughout history as the basis for worship, confessions, prayer, even civil law.
Are these ancient words still relevant for us today? Their outward simplicity hides their inward complexity. Jesus himself sums up the entire law in a pair of commandments: Love God with all your heart, mind, and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself.
Peter Leithart re-introduces the Ten Commandments. He shows us how they address every arena of human life, giving us a portrait of life under the lordship of Jesus, who is the heart and soul of the commandments.
The Ten Commandments have become so familiar to us that we don't think about what they actually mean. They've been used by Christians throughout history as the basis for worship, confessions, prayer, even civil law.
Are these ancient words still relevant for us today? Their outward simplicity hides their inward complexity. Jesus himself sums up the entire law in a pair of commandments: Love God with all your heart, mind, and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself.
Peter Leithart re-introduces the Ten Commandments. He shows us how they address every arena of human life, giving us a portrait of life under the lordship of Jesus, who is the heart and soul of the commandments.
146 pages, Hardcover
Published February 5, 2020
63 people are currently reading
316 people want to read
About the author
Peter J. Leithart
130 books370 followersPeter Leithart received an A.B. in English and History from Hillsdale College in 1981, and a Master of Arts in Religion and a Master of Theology from Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia in 1986 and 1987. In 1998 he received his Ph.D. at the University of Cambridge in England. He has served in two pastorates: He was pastor of Reformed Heritage Presbyterian Church (now Trinity Presbyterian Church), Birmingham, Alabama from 1989 to 1995, and was founding pastor of Trinity Reformed Church, Moscow, Idaho, and served on the pastoral staff at Trinity from 2003-2013. From 1998 to 2013 he taught theology and literature at New St. Andrews College, Moscow, Idaho, where he continues to teach as an adjunct Senior Fellow. He now serves as President of Trinity House in Alabama, where is also resident Church Teacher at the local CREC church. He and his wife, Noel, have ten children and five grandchildren.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
November 19, 2024
Really great primer on the Ten Commandments with a lot of biblical theology packed in!
January 21, 2020
Thrilling. That Leithart can pack in as many insights from the text and pastoral glosses into this slim volume attests to his long meditation on Scripture. Some Bible teachers unfortunately make the Bible seem boring, but Leithart helps us see the Bible anew, noticing how it pulsates with Spirit-given life.
May 2, 2020
Excellent, well-written study of the 10 Commandments and their Christological significance. Easy to read. Concise. Profound insights. Good for devotions. Another strong contribution to a very good series.
May 29, 2020
I feel like I'm going to say similar things to how I feel about Narnia and other imaginative works that I love. Leithart makes observations about the 10 commandments (or as he, I think rightly prefers to call them, the 10 words) that are sometimes fascinating, sometimes questionable, and sometimes just plain crazy. There are all kinds of things in this book I'm not sure about, and I'm not even sure I agree with some of his basic hermeneutical principles..
So why 5 stars? Well, 4.5 would probably be fairer - but I found this book incredibly stimulating to read. Leithart is well known for his ever-enjoyable imagination when it comes to finding connection after connection between bible books, and sometimes it goes too far. But as long as you're aware of that, this is an excellent book with a huge insight-per-page ratio! (it's only about 100 pages).
Leithart has elsewhere talked about hermeneutics as being analogous to having a sense of humour; knowing when to 'bring things into' a text that help you 'bring out' its meaning. And while I'm not sure about lot of it, this book has really encouraged me to think more about the 10 words and continue to be curious about how the bible treats them.
So why 5 stars? Well, 4.5 would probably be fairer - but I found this book incredibly stimulating to read. Leithart is well known for his ever-enjoyable imagination when it comes to finding connection after connection between bible books, and sometimes it goes too far. But as long as you're aware of that, this is an excellent book with a huge insight-per-page ratio! (it's only about 100 pages).
Leithart has elsewhere talked about hermeneutics as being analogous to having a sense of humour; knowing when to 'bring things into' a text that help you 'bring out' its meaning. And while I'm not sure about lot of it, this book has really encouraged me to think more about the 10 words and continue to be curious about how the bible treats them.
January 21, 2020
An incredible, fresh look at the Ten Commandments. I was most helped by "bearing the name of the Lord" and the patterns of two sets of fives in Scripture.
Note: I work for the publisher. But if I didn't, I'd still give 5-stars.
Note: I work for the publisher. But if I didn't, I'd still give 5-stars.
February 9, 2020
Deserves more like 8 stars. The best concise treatment of the Ten Words I’ve read. The subtitle says it all: Leithart shows how these Words are “a guide to the perfect law of liberty.” He unpacks their importance, their relevance, and their connection to Jesus Christ, “the heart and soul of the Decalogue” (6).
He also makes a compelling argument for dividing the Ten Words into a 5 + 5 pattern, the first five concerning love for God, and the second half love for neighbor.
Another stellar addition to the Lexham Christian Essentials series.
He also makes a compelling argument for dividing the Ten Words into a 5 + 5 pattern, the first five concerning love for God, and the second half love for neighbor.
Another stellar addition to the Lexham Christian Essentials series.
December 28, 2021
Leithart has written an outstanding, introductory work to the Ten Words. He convincingly shows "The Decalogue is about Israel's mission." p. 5 The laws each address "an arena of human life." p. 17
The book is very short, with each commandment receiving about ten pages of insightful commentary, reflection, and application. Highly recommended!
The book is very short, with each commandment receiving about ten pages of insightful commentary, reflection, and application. Highly recommended!
March 23, 2021
An excellent book on the 10 commandments. Leithart moves seamlessly from text to present day to Christ with each command. I’ll be recommending this often to anyone who wants to dive into an old section of Scripture in a fresh way.
April 20, 2021
A wonderful guide through the ten Words. I found it to be doxological and insightful. Will be read again.
February 18, 2024
This was probably one of the best books I have read on the 10 commandments. Very simple and clear, a much need for today’s society.
July 27, 2021
Definitely a deeper, more meaningful perspective on the 10 Commandments! Our church used this book for our summer book club.
June 4, 2021
Leithart always has interesting and delightful takes—especially on topics like the 10 commandments which might otherwise be well-trodden. I never agree with everything Leithart says, but I always find him challenging and deeply worthwhile to read. Here he breathes life into the ten words, showing how they ought to shape the whole of life.
February 18, 2025
Really short, but very good. Typical Leithart.
February 19, 2020
"The Ten Commandments" by Peter Leithart is the third edition in the "Christian Essentials" series by @lexham.press. The previous editions in the series have set the bar for creativity in a print book, and this edition is no different. The book itself is artsy, the typesetting and fonts are creative, and the contrasting pages are beautiful.
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The content of the book itself is a delight. Leithart takes on the "Ten Words", chapter by chapter, offering a fresh look at each of them. While many tend to think the Decalogue is as irrelevant as the Mosaic Covenant for modern Christians, Leithart argues just the opposite. He dissects each of the commands, showing the heart and spirit behind the words.
⠀
Leithart's theological style makes this book fresh in two ways. One, Leithart interprets the Ten Words (and Scripture in general) from a canonical perspective. He shows the relevance for the commands in light of teaching in the NT. Second, Leithart grounds each of the commands in Christ (ex. Jesus is the embodiment of YHWH's name, thus to bear YHWH's name lightly is to fall short of Christ). This canonical and Christological understanding sets this book apart from others.
⠀
This book is short and sweet, so it doesn't get into much exegesis, but Leithart will give you just enough to get you thinking differently about the Decalogue. The pictures speak for themselves, but @eleazaruiz and @a_b_stocker knocked it out the park again on this one. **book graciously provided by @lexham.press for an honest review
⠀
The content of the book itself is a delight. Leithart takes on the "Ten Words", chapter by chapter, offering a fresh look at each of them. While many tend to think the Decalogue is as irrelevant as the Mosaic Covenant for modern Christians, Leithart argues just the opposite. He dissects each of the commands, showing the heart and spirit behind the words.
⠀
Leithart's theological style makes this book fresh in two ways. One, Leithart interprets the Ten Words (and Scripture in general) from a canonical perspective. He shows the relevance for the commands in light of teaching in the NT. Second, Leithart grounds each of the commands in Christ (ex. Jesus is the embodiment of YHWH's name, thus to bear YHWH's name lightly is to fall short of Christ). This canonical and Christological understanding sets this book apart from others.
⠀
This book is short and sweet, so it doesn't get into much exegesis, but Leithart will give you just enough to get you thinking differently about the Decalogue. The pictures speak for themselves, but @eleazaruiz and @a_b_stocker knocked it out the park again on this one. **book graciously provided by @lexham.press for an honest review
February 15, 2023
Really enjoyed Leithart's interpretation of the Ten Commandments and how Jesus perfectly fulfills the requirements of the Law. As this is the essentials series, I believe this was well laid out to perfectly explain in full the Ten Words that God gave to Moses on the mountain.
I like context, and Leithart provides plenty of context around each of the commandments.
This is a short book, easily can be used as a ten day devotional. I did find a couple of the chapters seemed to run on and could have been sized down or inclusive of other materials.
Overall, fantastic.
I like context, and Leithart provides plenty of context around each of the commandments.
This is a short book, easily can be used as a ten day devotional. I did find a couple of the chapters seemed to run on and could have been sized down or inclusive of other materials.
Overall, fantastic.
February 10, 2020
Before I give my review, I want to note that I was given the book for free from the publisher and was not required to give a positive review.
Peter Leithart's book on the Ten Commandments was a refreshing read on one of the most fundamental and widely known texts in the Bible. It was insightful to see how the commandments were connected to each other, to God's desires for Israel and how they are fulfilled and magnified in Christ. It was a quick, introductory read and was applicable to how we are to live as Christians in our postmodern society. For a Christian wondering how the Ten Commandments relate to us now, this is a helpful read and sheds a lot of light on God's character and what he desires of his people.
Peter Leithart's book on the Ten Commandments was a refreshing read on one of the most fundamental and widely known texts in the Bible. It was insightful to see how the commandments were connected to each other, to God's desires for Israel and how they are fulfilled and magnified in Christ. It was a quick, introductory read and was applicable to how we are to live as Christians in our postmodern society. For a Christian wondering how the Ten Commandments relate to us now, this is a helpful read and sheds a lot of light on God's character and what he desires of his people.
February 19, 2020
A lovely and thoughtful reflection on the 10 Commandments. Leihart does an excellent job reminding Christians that these words from Sinai are just as relevant today as they were the day they were given. A wonderful quick read/devotional.
June 8, 2021
Outstanding.
July 7, 2021
Short and easy to understand. Leithart is becoming a favorite of mine.
April 28, 2024
Leithart is always a thrill to read. Although this book is for “beginners”, there’s no shortage of new things to learn about God’s “ten words”.
January 11, 2026
A concise, clear, biblically rich, practical, pastoral, and theologically illuminating examination of the 10 Commandments. Great little book!
February 15, 2020
One of the best books I’ve read all year. Gold on every page. Liethart is a master writer.
October 9, 2020
Really good on the Second Word (against images), the Ninth Word (on truth-telling), and the Tenth Word (against coveting).
Not as good as Meilaender's Thy Will Be Done, though.
Not as good as Meilaender's Thy Will Be Done, though.
October 18, 2024
Thought Provoking
Whatever tradition you come from, Leithart pushes us to consider the deeper meaning in the “ten words” and how they all relate to each other. He offers a convincing perspective on the Decalogue.
Whatever tradition you come from, Leithart pushes us to consider the deeper meaning in the “ten words” and how they all relate to each other. He offers a convincing perspective on the Decalogue.
February 4, 2020
Wonderfully clear and theological overview of the Ten Words. Leithart makes connections with other texts I have never considered, mainly because the divine author intends for us to see them, in Leithart's terms. Application is also helpful. Highly recommended.
February 13, 2021
[Full review at 'OverthinkingChristian.com.]
Much confusion surrounds the Ten Commandments and how they are to apply to us today–or if they apply at all. Enter Peter Leithart's new book which details not only each of the ten commandments in context but also relates them to discipleship and Christ-formation today.
*On Sabbath*
Peter J. Leithart is not the first one to make a connection between Sabbath and God’s expectation of, and heart for, justice. This much should be clear to any careful reader of the text. In The Ten Commandments: A Guide to The Perfect Law of Liberty, Leithart notes that Jesus picked up on this Old Testament connection/theme throughout his earthly ministry, choosing to work justice on the Sabbath since Sabbath is a call to justice, shalom, and human flourishing.
Jesus fulfilled Sabbath by making it a day about God, and one cannot make a day about God without making it a day about human flourishing and justice. On this particular day, Jesus went about releasing people from their oppression and suffering because that’s the true heart of the Sabbath as God intended.
*On Idols*
The author asks the reader to reflect on and examine where they get their cues from. Society? A perfectionist parent you’re trying to please? What you see on social media? Do you, like many, think that with a bit more money and security you would be happy? “You’re looking to a counterfeit savior—money, success, velvety comforts” (p. 25). The author also asks the reader to think on their response when they are pressured or stressed out. Who do we tend to blame? A spouse or child? It’s all too common to excuse one’s own sins by scapegoating a family member, and it’s also all too common that we subconsciously work hard to please people more than we try to please God.
Where we get our cues from can determine where our heart lies. How we respond in times of stress can also help determine what or who has our full devotion.
But aren’t idols a thing of the past? Haven’t we progressed past them in our advanced and modernized age?
Leithart insists that this is wishful thinking and that “Modernity manufactures as many idols as any age. Mammon rules the market. We kill to keep ourselves comfortably surrounded by more and new stuff” (p. 27). Not only that—our idols tear us of our true humanity. Only when we have no gods before Yahweh can we experience true wholeness and a transcendent satisfaction.
Just as no human can flourish in the presence of idols, so too no society can begin to flourish until its idols are recklessly abandoned. “When we worship the one God, our hearts can be single, our desires focused, our lives whole. Idols tear us apart, with their contradictory, shape-shifting demands. We find coherence in keeping the First Word [you shall have no other gods before you]” (p. 27). Saying no to God is saying no to human wholeness on an individual level and corporate level as well. “If we don’t honor the living God, we’ll bow before some terrible idol, who will devour our souls” (p. 28). Our independence and freedom is dependent upon our response to God and our response to idols vying for our devotion.
*Where Does Jesus Fit In?*
The author notes Israel’s hardened heart and tragic resistance to God was the norm throughout her history, and yet God was stubborn. “Israel isn’t left helpless. Yahweh will have a son who conforms to the Ten Words. The father does have such a Son, the eternal Son who became Israel to be and do what Israel failed to be and do.”
Leithart directs our attention to Moses, who mediated between God and God’s people, and how he rushed down the mountain to crush the idol of the golden calf. We are in need of one greater than Moses, a powerful mediator “who can demolish the idols of our hearts” (p. 28).
I appreciate the way in which the author connects Israel’s rich history with the story of Christ, doing so in an organic way rather than forcing the text. While at times he can come off as direct and preachy, I find that it works.
In my own upbringing, it was impressed upon me–for whatever reason–that the Ten Commandments are unattainable. Rather than promoting this, Leithart seems to suggest that the pathway to wholeness is rooted in how we respond to God’s Ten Words. That is, to embrace the Ten Words is to embrace God. Our resistance to the Ten Words is our way of saying that God is not enough and that we know better. To embrace the Ten Commandments is to embrace liberty while to reject them is to reject God’s love and his plan for vibrant human wholeness.
This is a much-needed reminder that our idols do not need mere taming but require an intentional crushing and smashing on our part, and that we need to destroy them before they devour us.
Drawing from the deep wells of biblical wisdom, The Ten Commandments is a must-read for any student of Scripture. Rooted in the Old Testament world and constantly pointing us to Christ, I have greatly benefited from Leithart’s work here.
Though written by a top-notch scholar, the book is very easy to understand, so much so that I read some of it along with my six-year-old son at his insistence, who was initially captivated by the cover and some of the visuals inside. Visually appealing, clearly and carefully written, and highly readable, this is a gem for any library. Great for personal reading or for a group setting, this is a resource that can help many who are genuinely confused about the Ten Commandments and their role today.
Thanks to Lexham Press for the copy!
Much confusion surrounds the Ten Commandments and how they are to apply to us today–or if they apply at all. Enter Peter Leithart's new book which details not only each of the ten commandments in context but also relates them to discipleship and Christ-formation today.
*On Sabbath*
Peter J. Leithart is not the first one to make a connection between Sabbath and God’s expectation of, and heart for, justice. This much should be clear to any careful reader of the text. In The Ten Commandments: A Guide to The Perfect Law of Liberty, Leithart notes that Jesus picked up on this Old Testament connection/theme throughout his earthly ministry, choosing to work justice on the Sabbath since Sabbath is a call to justice, shalom, and human flourishing.
Jesus fulfilled Sabbath by making it a day about God, and one cannot make a day about God without making it a day about human flourishing and justice. On this particular day, Jesus went about releasing people from their oppression and suffering because that’s the true heart of the Sabbath as God intended.
*On Idols*
The author asks the reader to reflect on and examine where they get their cues from. Society? A perfectionist parent you’re trying to please? What you see on social media? Do you, like many, think that with a bit more money and security you would be happy? “You’re looking to a counterfeit savior—money, success, velvety comforts” (p. 25). The author also asks the reader to think on their response when they are pressured or stressed out. Who do we tend to blame? A spouse or child? It’s all too common to excuse one’s own sins by scapegoating a family member, and it’s also all too common that we subconsciously work hard to please people more than we try to please God.
Where we get our cues from can determine where our heart lies. How we respond in times of stress can also help determine what or who has our full devotion.
But aren’t idols a thing of the past? Haven’t we progressed past them in our advanced and modernized age?
Leithart insists that this is wishful thinking and that “Modernity manufactures as many idols as any age. Mammon rules the market. We kill to keep ourselves comfortably surrounded by more and new stuff” (p. 27). Not only that—our idols tear us of our true humanity. Only when we have no gods before Yahweh can we experience true wholeness and a transcendent satisfaction.
Just as no human can flourish in the presence of idols, so too no society can begin to flourish until its idols are recklessly abandoned. “When we worship the one God, our hearts can be single, our desires focused, our lives whole. Idols tear us apart, with their contradictory, shape-shifting demands. We find coherence in keeping the First Word [you shall have no other gods before you]” (p. 27). Saying no to God is saying no to human wholeness on an individual level and corporate level as well. “If we don’t honor the living God, we’ll bow before some terrible idol, who will devour our souls” (p. 28). Our independence and freedom is dependent upon our response to God and our response to idols vying for our devotion.
*Where Does Jesus Fit In?*
The author notes Israel’s hardened heart and tragic resistance to God was the norm throughout her history, and yet God was stubborn. “Israel isn’t left helpless. Yahweh will have a son who conforms to the Ten Words. The father does have such a Son, the eternal Son who became Israel to be and do what Israel failed to be and do.”
Leithart directs our attention to Moses, who mediated between God and God’s people, and how he rushed down the mountain to crush the idol of the golden calf. We are in need of one greater than Moses, a powerful mediator “who can demolish the idols of our hearts” (p. 28).
I appreciate the way in which the author connects Israel’s rich history with the story of Christ, doing so in an organic way rather than forcing the text. While at times he can come off as direct and preachy, I find that it works.
In my own upbringing, it was impressed upon me–for whatever reason–that the Ten Commandments are unattainable. Rather than promoting this, Leithart seems to suggest that the pathway to wholeness is rooted in how we respond to God’s Ten Words. That is, to embrace the Ten Words is to embrace God. Our resistance to the Ten Words is our way of saying that God is not enough and that we know better. To embrace the Ten Commandments is to embrace liberty while to reject them is to reject God’s love and his plan for vibrant human wholeness.
This is a much-needed reminder that our idols do not need mere taming but require an intentional crushing and smashing on our part, and that we need to destroy them before they devour us.
Drawing from the deep wells of biblical wisdom, The Ten Commandments is a must-read for any student of Scripture. Rooted in the Old Testament world and constantly pointing us to Christ, I have greatly benefited from Leithart’s work here.
Though written by a top-notch scholar, the book is very easy to understand, so much so that I read some of it along with my six-year-old son at his insistence, who was initially captivated by the cover and some of the visuals inside. Visually appealing, clearly and carefully written, and highly readable, this is a gem for any library. Great for personal reading or for a group setting, this is a resource that can help many who are genuinely confused about the Ten Commandments and their role today.
Thanks to Lexham Press for the copy!
June 15, 2023
An astonishing and exciting book, one of the best books on any part of the Old Testament I've ever encountered. I have read parts of this again and again, as it describes the character of God's son through the ten words God spoke to Israel. I can't recommend this strongly enough to anyone wondering how the old testament can be relevant and alive for the twenty-first century. This is biblical theology at its sparkling and energising best.
May 22, 2021
This is a great primer on the Ten Commandments! Peter Leithart does a great job linking the commandments of Sinai, given by God to his son Israel, to the life of Jesus, the Son of God and true Israel. Jesus alone lives fully into the Ten Commandments. That is an important reminder for the church, so as to chasten our temptation to legalism.
The Ten Commandments are, of course, good and useful for reproof for the faithful. Leithart understands that they indeed can train and point in the right direction, but they cannot “grant the freedom it commands and commends,” (p. 121). The Law will ultimately condemn us. As we are unable to keep the law to its fullest extent (the Tenth Commandment is the death knell for that dream), we must flee to the gospel for the freedom from the death sentence of the law, depending on the all-sufficient sacrifice of Christ on the cross.
I fully intend to use this book when preparing folks for baptism. And I highly recommend it!
The Ten Commandments are, of course, good and useful for reproof for the faithful. Leithart understands that they indeed can train and point in the right direction, but they cannot “grant the freedom it commands and commends,” (p. 121). The Law will ultimately condemn us. As we are unable to keep the law to its fullest extent (the Tenth Commandment is the death knell for that dream), we must flee to the gospel for the freedom from the death sentence of the law, depending on the all-sufficient sacrifice of Christ on the cross.
I fully intend to use this book when preparing folks for baptism. And I highly recommend it!
March 19, 2024
An incredibly deep look into understanding the 10 Commandments that is truly practical and accessible to a person no matter their spiritual maturity. Leithart beautifully balances spiritual principles from the 10 Commandments with modern day application. Would highly recommend to anyone who has only ever viewed the 10 Commandments at their surface level reading and/or the few New Testament references that expound on them.
February 28, 2020
I couldn’t quite recommend the book as a definitive guide to the Ten Commandments, as a good deal of what he says is highly disagreeable, but the book is a fantastically insightful and interesting perspective and interpretation of the Commandments, rooted in Scripture and the ecumenical Christian tradition.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews