What do you think?
Rate this book
Words From the Fire: Hearing the Voice of God in the 10 Commandments
If God has spoken, then the highest human aspiration must be to hear what the Creator has said. God has indeed spoken, through the Ten Commandments, and Al Mohler explores this revelation of God and the implications for His people. The promise is to hear, to obey, and to live. These "Ten Words" tell us who God is and what His people should look like.
Mohler is a respected voice on the state of our culture (and the church) today. The Ten Commandments speak to current issues today such as the exclusivity of the Christian God, the essence of worship, capital punishment, just war, business ethics and the postmodern definition of truth.
Mohler is a respected voice on the state of our culture (and the church) today. The Ten Commandments speak to current issues today such as the exclusivity of the Christian God, the essence of worship, capital punishment, just war, business ethics and the postmodern definition of truth.
208 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 2009
23 people are currently reading
171 people want to read
About the author
R. Albert Mohler Jr.
113 books417 followersDr. R. Albert Mohler Jr. serves as president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary - the flagship school of the Southern Baptist Convention and one of the largest seminaries in the world.
Dr. Mohler has been recognized by such influential publications as Time and Christianity Today as a leader among American evangelicals. In fact, Time.com called him the “reigning intellectual of the evangelical movement in the U.S.”
In addition to his presidential duties, Dr. Mohler hosts two programs: “The Briefing,” a daily analysis of news and events from a Christian worldview; and “Thinking in Public,” a series of conversations with the day’s leading thinkers. He also writes a popular blog and a regular commentary on moral, cultural and theological issues. All of these can be accessed through Dr. Mohler’s website, www.AlbertMohler.com. Called “an articulate voice for conservative Christianity at large” by The Chicago Tribune, Dr. Mohler’s mission is to address contemporary issues from a consistent and explicit Christian worldview.
Dr. Mohler has been recognized by such influential publications as Time and Christianity Today as a leader among American evangelicals. In fact, Time.com called him the “reigning intellectual of the evangelical movement in the U.S.”
In addition to his presidential duties, Dr. Mohler hosts two programs: “The Briefing,” a daily analysis of news and events from a Christian worldview; and “Thinking in Public,” a series of conversations with the day’s leading thinkers. He also writes a popular blog and a regular commentary on moral, cultural and theological issues. All of these can be accessed through Dr. Mohler’s website, www.AlbertMohler.com. Called “an articulate voice for conservative Christianity at large” by The Chicago Tribune, Dr. Mohler’s mission is to address contemporary issues from a consistent and explicit Christian worldview.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
September 17, 2024
This book has some great reminders. It is a great little book on the 10 commandments! One thing that hit me as I read it it was the fact that all of the 10 commandments reveal something about God! Great read if you are studying g the 10 commandments!
December 31, 2020
This was an interesting look at the Ten Commandments and what they mean, or should mean, in the lives of Christians today. While I didn't agree with everything that Mohler had to say, he certainly did get my mind to thinking and pondering on many truths.
A few quotes I want to remember:
"Why should we turn to the Old Testament? Why should we focus on the Ten Commandments? Romans 15:4 answers the question. 'For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.' These things written in former days were written for the instruction of the church, that through the Scriptures we might have hope."
"What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us." -A.W. Tozer
"In her book Smoke on the Mountain, Joy Davidson, the wife of C.S. Lewis wrote, 'He who is not continually fizzing like champagne with sexual excitement is condemned as a failure in life.' She said, 'The modern idols are the idols of sex, the state, science, and society.' Though speaking a half a century ago, she was right. Sex, the state, science, and society - these are the idols of our day. If we are not fizzing like champagne with sexual excitement, if we are not bowing down to the state, if we're not celebrating science and scientism, if we're not finding ultimate meaning in human society, we are written off as simply out of step. Francis Bacon, in his famous aphorism in the Nova Organum, said there are four classes of idols: the idols of the tribe, the idols of the cave the idols of the marketplace, and the idols of the theater. And each is still with us."
"Idolatry is absolutely delusional. This is why again and again in Scripture, the one true and living God will say, 'I made you! You did not make Me! And I made you in My image. You can't make an image of Me.'"
"In some sense, it was a lot easier to deal with the paganisms of old, for they were more honest forms of idolatry. We face now the persistent temptation to redefine God in our image, and to make of God an idol by the corruption of His name. We bring in wrong ideas about God, wrong teachings about His character, and we create an ideological idol in our own minds."
A few quotes I want to remember:
"Why should we turn to the Old Testament? Why should we focus on the Ten Commandments? Romans 15:4 answers the question. 'For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.' These things written in former days were written for the instruction of the church, that through the Scriptures we might have hope."
"What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us." -A.W. Tozer
"In her book Smoke on the Mountain, Joy Davidson, the wife of C.S. Lewis wrote, 'He who is not continually fizzing like champagne with sexual excitement is condemned as a failure in life.' She said, 'The modern idols are the idols of sex, the state, science, and society.' Though speaking a half a century ago, she was right. Sex, the state, science, and society - these are the idols of our day. If we are not fizzing like champagne with sexual excitement, if we are not bowing down to the state, if we're not celebrating science and scientism, if we're not finding ultimate meaning in human society, we are written off as simply out of step. Francis Bacon, in his famous aphorism in the Nova Organum, said there are four classes of idols: the idols of the tribe, the idols of the cave the idols of the marketplace, and the idols of the theater. And each is still with us."
"Idolatry is absolutely delusional. This is why again and again in Scripture, the one true and living God will say, 'I made you! You did not make Me! And I made you in My image. You can't make an image of Me.'"
"In some sense, it was a lot easier to deal with the paganisms of old, for they were more honest forms of idolatry. We face now the persistent temptation to redefine God in our image, and to make of God an idol by the corruption of His name. We bring in wrong ideas about God, wrong teachings about His character, and we create an ideological idol in our own minds."
June 5, 2018
Dr. Mohler write a brief exposition on each one of the 10 Commandments. It is filled with anecdotes from church history and his own observations. Some of which the sources are not really referenced. And much of which I had hoped he would go into further detail. It is a nice reminder that the 10 Commandments should focus us like all of Scripture on to Christ. It is a good read and starting place but not a scholarly resource.
April 11, 2022
Mohler looks at each individual commandment from the Ten Commandments given by God on tablets of stone at Mt. Sinai. Each commandment is given a good explanation of the requirements from God in both the clear terms like "thou shalt not kill" as well as the spiritual "you have heard it say... But I say to you.." terms.
Nothing groundbreaking here, but these commandments are worth memorizing and being reminded of often.
Nothing groundbreaking here, but these commandments are worth memorizing and being reminded of often.
June 8, 2023
Mohler deals a little with the differing ways to interpret the 10 commandments. He takes the non-"under the law" view, but he still believes in an underlying moral principle. Good introduction to 10 commandments.
December 30, 2025
The author used far too many quotes and references to other people, especially quotes that detracted from his take. He was inconsistent in treatment of the commandments and in his writing style. I expected a lot meatier read.
December 31, 2017
I thought this was a good, solid treatment of the Ten Commandments. I listened to an audio version, and it was odd hearing Dr. Mohler's words in someone else's voice. :)
August 9, 2019
Great stuff, and some fantastic insights into the 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 10th Commandments that I don't think had come to my attention before.
January 1, 2024
I don't agree with everything Mohler says, but his take on the 10 Commandments is relatable, insightful, and helpful. If you're studying the 10 Commandments, you won't regret reading it.
February 22, 2010
In this book, Mohler, who is president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, writes an exposition of the Ten Commandments, explaining how each is still vitally important to us today, even though we live under the covenant of grace, and not under the law. Jesus, after all, was the fulfillment of the law, and we are to be like him. While Jesus’ sacrifice allows us to come to faith by the free gift of God’s grace — even though we are guilty of breaking every commandment He has ever given us — we are still called to live according to God’s Will. Jesus didn’t remove the law, though he removed it’s power over us. Rather, he raised the bar, setting an even higher level of expectation for those who bear His name. It is not enough to live according to the letter of the Law. We are to live according to its spirit, through the power of the Spirit which enables our obedience.
The purpose of the book, says Mohler, is to answer the question: “How do we know and teach what we claim to know and teach?” His answer is that God is a God who speaks. Previously, He has spoken through the law, but now He has spoken through the Living Word, Jesus Christ. This leads to what he calls “several realities that should frame our thinking”. He offers eight such realities that must be true regarding the question “How do we know?” if we operate under the assumption that God speaks, and that He has spoken: If God has spoken, then (1) we do know; (2) we know only by mercy; (3) we too must speak; (4) all He has spoken is about God, and it is all for our good; (5) it is for our redemption; (6) we must obey; (7) we must trust; and (8) we must witness.
Mohler then devotes a chapter to each of the commandments. I was amazed and challenged by the depth of his insights, particularly in regard to our worship. In fact, as I was reading the book, I shared one of those insights in a previous blog . His focus is entirely on Jesus, and this makes the 10 Commandments more “relevant” now than ever! Mohler’s summary in the penultimate paragraph of this book is spot on:
“Understood rightly, these commandments lead, not to our despair that we fall short of them, but to our thankfulness for the gospel of Jesus Christ. Christ comes to save lawbreakers like ourselves. Thus, we see the commandments themselves as grace to us. But our confidence is not in our ability to keep these commandments, for we will surely fail. Our confidence is in Christ, whose perfect obedience fulfills the law.”
This book would make an excellent resource for small group discussion, as well as for personal reading
The purpose of the book, says Mohler, is to answer the question: “How do we know and teach what we claim to know and teach?” His answer is that God is a God who speaks. Previously, He has spoken through the law, but now He has spoken through the Living Word, Jesus Christ. This leads to what he calls “several realities that should frame our thinking”. He offers eight such realities that must be true regarding the question “How do we know?” if we operate under the assumption that God speaks, and that He has spoken: If God has spoken, then (1) we do know; (2) we know only by mercy; (3) we too must speak; (4) all He has spoken is about God, and it is all for our good; (5) it is for our redemption; (6) we must obey; (7) we must trust; and (8) we must witness.
Mohler then devotes a chapter to each of the commandments. I was amazed and challenged by the depth of his insights, particularly in regard to our worship. In fact, as I was reading the book, I shared one of those insights in a previous blog . His focus is entirely on Jesus, and this makes the 10 Commandments more “relevant” now than ever! Mohler’s summary in the penultimate paragraph of this book is spot on:
“Understood rightly, these commandments lead, not to our despair that we fall short of them, but to our thankfulness for the gospel of Jesus Christ. Christ comes to save lawbreakers like ourselves. Thus, we see the commandments themselves as grace to us. But our confidence is not in our ability to keep these commandments, for we will surely fail. Our confidence is in Christ, whose perfect obedience fulfills the law.”
This book would make an excellent resource for small group discussion, as well as for personal reading
January 15, 2020
Overall, Mohler has written another extremely useful books. His treatment of the Third Commandment is a particular highlight.
August 12, 2016
In a country where people fight for the Ten Commandments to be posted in public places, but many of these same people do not even know what they say. Dr. Albert Mohler takes us on a journey along those stone tablets in the tradition of Christ himself. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus reminds that the commandments are not about outward action, but about the attitude of the heart. Where the commandments say that we must not murder, Christ took it to the heart of the matter and equated murder with hate. Mohler follows this tradition by showing how each commandment is intended to be about the attitude of the heart.
Mohler also takes the first commandment and shows how all the others follow along with it: they are all about our relationship with God, not just with others.
A very accessible book, it is no doubt a book that can be challenging for new and seasoned Christians alike. Highly recommended!
All my book reviews are here: http://lunchboxsw.wordpress.com/categ...
Mohler also takes the first commandment and shows how all the others follow along with it: they are all about our relationship with God, not just with others.
A very accessible book, it is no doubt a book that can be challenging for new and seasoned Christians alike. Highly recommended!
All my book reviews are here: http://lunchboxsw.wordpress.com/categ...
December 30, 2013
Mohler examines the Ten Commandments and their implications, not only for Israel (to whom they were originally spoken) but to God’s new covenant people today. In each case, Mohler details how the standard is higher for those who are in Christ. While we are not under the old covenant law, our lives must reflect the true nature of God. Thankfully, He has given both the commands and the power to carry them out through His Spirit.
May 18, 2010
This is a wonderful book, it is for the most part written at a level that is deep enough for the seminarian or pastor- but yet accessible to even the new student of scripture. Mohler bridges the gap between the day the stone tablets were received and where we stand- and truly applies these as words of life for the Christian living in relationship with a holy God.
January 6, 2010
Good practical and insightful look at the Decalogue. I thought the front portion on the first 3 commands was strongest as it set the stage and laid a foundation for 4 - 9. Coveting (#10) was prtrayed as a bookend to the first commandment which I thought made a lot of sense.
December 16, 2013
I've been preaching through the 10 commandments from Deuteronomy. Here are sermons for a master preacher & teacher to invigorate the preacher in his preparation. Dr. Mohler is a keen observer of the human condition and is well able to apply the words from the fire to the heart of his readers.
September 26, 2015
The book was fine. As I have studied the 10 commandments, I have found that they are unbelievably deep and rich. It would take a great tome to be written to dive deeply into all that is there. But this book is a fine primer. It is not complete, it is not revelatory. But it is fine.
March 21, 2016
Readings:
July 2010
March 2016 (for series through Exodus)
July 2010
March 2016 (for series through Exodus)
October 2, 2013
Besides the editing errors, this is a powerful and needed treatment on the 10 commandments.
September 7, 2015
Pretty good. One of the best insights from the book: "In contrast to the idols that are seen but not heard, we worship a God who is heard yet not seen" (page 56).
August 16, 2013
Pretty good handle on the 10 commandments
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews