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Words of Love: A Healing Journey with the Ten Commandments
The Ten Commandments are more than a list of ancient rules. Beneath the surface, they offer a profound invitation to healing and transformation. In this unique Bible study, readers will discover that the Ten Commandments are words from the heart of God, given to reconcile creation to Creator and God's people to one another. In Words of Love , Eugenia Anne Gamble dives into each of the Ten Commandments and examines their application for modern-day Christians, going beyond the letter of the law to a spiritual truth pointing us toward wholeness and well-being. Each chapter includes a spiritual practice and questions for reflection and discussion to help readers engage deeply with the message of each commandment, whether individually or in a group.
200 pages, Paperback
Published February 22, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
April 28, 2022
In recent years we've seen fights over the posting of the Ten Commandments in schools and courtrooms. It's all part of a larger culture war debate suggesting that God is being pushed out of the public square. While that political debate ranges, some of us wonder if those who argue for placing the Ten Commandments in the public square truly understand these words. In fact, I see a lot of partisans breaking the commandment about bearing false witness (you know, the Big Lie about the 2020 election). In any case, it is worth pondering the meaning of these famous commandments that get so much publicity.
Eugenia Gamble offers us an interesting guide to the Ten Commandments. It's deeply spiritual and personal, revealing sides of the commandments that I think many miss. The title is intriguing because it challenges the idea that the commandments are narrow and harsh. Rather, in her telling, they are Words of Love. Having read the book, I think she's right.
Gamble is a recently retired PCUSA minister and has authored a previous study guide on the Ten Commandments as part of the Presbyterian Women's Horizon's Bible Study. One of the reasons I liked the book is that Gamble presents a side of the Old Testament that many never see. We hear a lot about God's wrath in the Old Testament, but rarely about God's love. Yet, even the Ten Commandments offer us words of love that provide us with a "healing journey."
Gamble presents the Ten Words in the context of a divine love story that emerges out of the Exodus. She writes that "Divine Love holds the Ten Words together as one great vision of human and divine life intersecting. Nothing about the Ten Words will be ultimately transformative until we understand that it begins with love, ends with love, and is framed with love. Everything else distorts." (p. 13). So, here's my question. If Gamble is correct, and I'm convinced she is, then why are the Ten Commandments held hostage in a culture war?
With this question in view, she walks us through the Ten Words, beginning with the first command that addresses destructive allegiances (you shall not have any other gods before me . . .." (Ch. 2). From there she speaks of "Langauge that Lifts: Addressing the Trivializing of God," where she deals with the wrongful use of God's name. (p. 45). Chapter 4 deals with Sabbath -- a call to stop from toxic busyness. Chapter 5 looks at the command to honor parents, by looking at questions of family dynamics and family pain. This chapter will be quite relevant to many readers. The chapter on murder expands the conversation to include our human tendency toward violence, anger, and cruelty. She addresses questions of intimacy in the chapter on adultery. As for the commandment not to steal, well she expands that conversation also, noting that stealing takes many forms. Central to this conversation is recognizing when enough is enough.
Chapter 9 takes up the command not to bear false witness. I believe this chapter needs to be read carefully. It addresses one of the big concerns of our day, the lies that are destroying lives and nations. Here is a call to a life of integrity. Here is a call to live into the truth, which is increasingly difficult but necessary.
Finally, she explores the command concerning covetousness. Here she looks at the nature of desire and how it distorts life. She notes that not all longing is covetousness, but longing becomes a problem when "a deep and authentic longing for the good devolves into the basic lie that everybody else has it easier or their lives are more together, prosperous, or exciting than our own" (p. 188). It becomes a problem when it metastasizes into greed. So, here is an invitation to enter a life of authenticity where we let go of the harmful things that often drive us.
Again, this is a word about living in the context of divine love. These are not narrow, confining, harsh laws. They are designed to free, liberate, and empower. Thus, it is a book worth exploring and embodying.
Eugenia Gamble offers us an interesting guide to the Ten Commandments. It's deeply spiritual and personal, revealing sides of the commandments that I think many miss. The title is intriguing because it challenges the idea that the commandments are narrow and harsh. Rather, in her telling, they are Words of Love. Having read the book, I think she's right.
Gamble is a recently retired PCUSA minister and has authored a previous study guide on the Ten Commandments as part of the Presbyterian Women's Horizon's Bible Study. One of the reasons I liked the book is that Gamble presents a side of the Old Testament that many never see. We hear a lot about God's wrath in the Old Testament, but rarely about God's love. Yet, even the Ten Commandments offer us words of love that provide us with a "healing journey."
Gamble presents the Ten Words in the context of a divine love story that emerges out of the Exodus. She writes that "Divine Love holds the Ten Words together as one great vision of human and divine life intersecting. Nothing about the Ten Words will be ultimately transformative until we understand that it begins with love, ends with love, and is framed with love. Everything else distorts." (p. 13). So, here's my question. If Gamble is correct, and I'm convinced she is, then why are the Ten Commandments held hostage in a culture war?
With this question in view, she walks us through the Ten Words, beginning with the first command that addresses destructive allegiances (you shall not have any other gods before me . . .." (Ch. 2). From there she speaks of "Langauge that Lifts: Addressing the Trivializing of God," where she deals with the wrongful use of God's name. (p. 45). Chapter 4 deals with Sabbath -- a call to stop from toxic busyness. Chapter 5 looks at the command to honor parents, by looking at questions of family dynamics and family pain. This chapter will be quite relevant to many readers. The chapter on murder expands the conversation to include our human tendency toward violence, anger, and cruelty. She addresses questions of intimacy in the chapter on adultery. As for the commandment not to steal, well she expands that conversation also, noting that stealing takes many forms. Central to this conversation is recognizing when enough is enough.
Chapter 9 takes up the command not to bear false witness. I believe this chapter needs to be read carefully. It addresses one of the big concerns of our day, the lies that are destroying lives and nations. Here is a call to a life of integrity. Here is a call to live into the truth, which is increasingly difficult but necessary.
Finally, she explores the command concerning covetousness. Here she looks at the nature of desire and how it distorts life. She notes that not all longing is covetousness, but longing becomes a problem when "a deep and authentic longing for the good devolves into the basic lie that everybody else has it easier or their lives are more together, prosperous, or exciting than our own" (p. 188). It becomes a problem when it metastasizes into greed. So, here is an invitation to enter a life of authenticity where we let go of the harmful things that often drive us.
Again, this is a word about living in the context of divine love. These are not narrow, confining, harsh laws. They are designed to free, liberate, and empower. Thus, it is a book worth exploring and embodying.
April 12, 2022
Words of Love
A Healing Journey with the Ten Commandments
by Eugenia Anne Gamble
Pub Date 22 Feb 2022
Westminster John Knox Press
Christian | Religion & Spirituality
I am reviewing a copy of Words of Love through WestMinster John Knox Press and Netgalley:
The Ten Commandments are much more than an ancient set of rules. Under the surface they also offer offer a profound invitation to healing and transformation.
If you’re looking for a Unique Bible Study, one that shows readers that the Ten Commandments are words from the heart of God, given to reconcile creation to Creator and God's people to one another.
In Words of Love Eugenia Anne Gamble dives into each of the Ten Commandments and examines their application for modern-day Christians, going beyond the letter of the law to a spiritual truth pointing us toward wholeness and well-being. Each chapter includes a spiritual practice and questions for reflection and discussion to help readers engage deeply with the message of each commandment, whether individually or in a group.
If you’re looking for a one of a kind Bible Study on the Ten Commandments then I would highly recommend Words of Love.
I give Words of Love five out of five stars!
Happy Reading!
September 13, 2022
I went into this read with great skepticism. I’ve long regarded the the Ten Commandments as an oversimplification of morality used by various fundamental religious sects and political parties as a cudgel to unjustly persecute opponents and oppress those on the margins. In short, to exercise power. Ms. Gamble penetrates deeply the “Words” and excavates a new, insightful, and expansive understanding, one that helped me overcome my own oversimplified, ossified assessment of this ancient wisdom. Her approach is personal, sincere, challenging, and ultimately affirming. This book should be read by all who think they know the meaning of the Ten Commandments and, more important, for whom they are intended.
August 16, 2025
This is an uplifting book. Instead of focusing on the negative aspects of the Ten Commandments, the author instead focuses on the positives of following the Words of God. In the case of murder, she encourages us to think about not doing anything to harm a person's body, soul or spirit. She really makes the reader stop and think about how to bring life and hope to others, instead of not doing specific actions.
July 10, 2025
I did this as a group Bible Study. It was easy to discuss the content in this book.
She looked at the Words (Commandments) in a different way. Great for group study.
She looked at the Words (Commandments) in a different way. Great for group study.
August 8, 2022
Based on a closer translation of the original writings, “word” rather than “commandment,” Gamble explains how they point us toward demonstrating the love of God by our caring for the vulnerable, by reforming systems, calling for the removal of barriers & fences these artificial constructs & systems create – those systems that keep people down,
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews