Q: In Matthew 19:17-18, Jesus lists the "ten commandments," but his list has only six, and the sixth is not one of the ten. The commandments given by Jesus are secular, not religious, in nature. Isnt it absurd that Jesus lists only six commandments -- six which focus on secular concerns?
A: No. First, Jesus does not list the Ten Commandments here. He cites five commandments which are among the Ten Commandments, plus Leviticus 19:18. This saying looks to me like a customized answer, not a formulaic one. The /expected/ answer would be All of them, but Jesus specifies those areas which were among the most crucial and the most challenging to this particular questioner.
Also, the commandments which Jesus lists are not "secular," but social. Christians ought to regard moral social behavior as acts of worship/obedience to God just as much as the first commandment. Respecting human life, avoiding adultery, avoiding theft, speaking truthfully, honoring your parents, and loving your neighbor -- these are religious acts. After all, in the same way that men who love their country will tend to respect and honor the flag that represents it (regarding it as more than fabric and dye), those who love God should tend to respect and honor and care for their fellow-men who were made, as James 3:9 says, in God's likeness. A set of strictly "secular" commandments advocating the same things that Jesus lists here would have to find some other foundation(s) to really be considered "secular."
Yours in Christ,
Waterrock
A: No. First, Jesus does not list the Ten Commandments here. He cites five commandments which are among the Ten Commandments, plus Leviticus 19:18. This saying looks to me like a customized answer, not a formulaic one. The /expected/ answer would be All of them, but Jesus specifies those areas which were among the most crucial and the most challenging to this particular questioner.
Also, the commandments which Jesus lists are not "secular," but social. Christians ought to regard moral social behavior as acts of worship/obedience to God just as much as the first commandment. Respecting human life, avoiding adultery, avoiding theft, speaking truthfully, honoring your parents, and loving your neighbor -- these are religious acts. After all, in the same way that men who love their country will tend to respect and honor the flag that represents it (regarding it as more than fabric and dye), those who love God should tend to respect and honor and care for their fellow-men who were made, as James 3:9 says, in God's likeness. A set of strictly "secular" commandments advocating the same things that Jesus lists here would have to find some other foundation(s) to really be considered "secular."
Yours in Christ,
Waterrock
