Adventist Media Response and Conversation

Wednesday, May 31, 2006

The Ten Commandments Twice Removed Part 1

The Ten Commandments Twice Removed, Review Part 1

What becomes readily apparent after a quick perusal of this book is that the subject is not really the Ten Commandments, not about whether they should be allowed or disallowed in public places and not about the historic importance of the Ten commandments to Western law. The intent of this book is to show that one is not keeping the Ten Commandments unless the denomination is holding to the Seventh day Sabbath. In other words the Jewish Sabbath is an eternal covenant with all Christians, it was giving before sin entered the world and it will remain after sin is removed from this world and we are in the world made new.

While this book has a price of $9.95 most who come into possession of this book will get it free. It's use is that of being an evangelistic tool to lead people into the Seventh-day Adventist church. This is in keeping with many of the historic patterns of evangelism used within the SDA church. That is mainly to point that the beliefs of the SDA's are the correct beliefs and showing that the SDA church meets the book of Revelation's words about the being the remnant who keep the commandments of God.

The assertion in the book from which the title 'Twice Removed" comes from is the idea that some Christians hold to the view that it is the Ten Commandments which were "nailed to the cross" which apparently led to the institution of Sunday gatherings for Christians. With time the Sabbath was transferred to Sunday, the book will quote Sabbatarians of the 1800's to show the Sabbath still stands however. The second removal is based upon the current move to remove plaques and monuments and the removal of the Ten Commandments from public schools. I personally don't know of any public schools that had the Ten Commandments let alone had them removed but there are certain states which have authorized their posting and others which considered posting them but due to threatened lawsuits withdraw the idea. The book does not cover this but you can read about it at the Anti-Defamation League website.


The book is very scarce with facts for its assertions and gives little evidence about how they arrive at their positions. The book works upon the assumption that no one will question their assertions and interpretations thus the book is poorly footnoted or referenced. And as can be seen in the link below many of their interpretations are very questionable.

While in the critique which is linked here I have real problems with many of the interpretation the book gives. This does not mean I do not value the Sabbath or gathering on the seventh day of the week. I hold to the postition that each should be convinced in their own mind. I do not condemn Sunday keepers for their attendance on Sunday nor do I condemn those who promote the idea of Seventh day Sabbath keepers. I don't think these are issues that should divide Christians and that is why I have taken the time to present the problems with the book mentioned. I have placed my critique on a seperate page because I use a lot of quotes from the book and at the time of this writing there are seven pages and it is not complete yet. I am trying to catch the main issues raised yet not get to carried away.

To view the link click here.





5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Well, from someone who has probably broken all of Gods Ten Commandments (if only in my heart) I believe that God sent his Son Jesus to Save me because He knew that in my own strength and my so called good works I'd never make it. Jesus is my Lord and my Savior seven days a week. After looking at this book, I realized it was based on someone's idea. I have ideas too. Like:

Who's to say that God didn't consider Monday the first day of the week. Could it be God was resting on Sunday, Started creation on Monday and on the seventh day he rested, that would be the following Sunday.

God sure does Bless my Sunday's He meets with me every morning where ever I am but Sundays are so Special. As long as God will Bless my Sunday's by being in our midst then I'm going to church on Sunday, monrning and night. I love Wednesday's too and you know what, God is there too.

If you have a Personal Relationship with Jesus Christ and read his Word everyday He will give you peace about what ever day He desires for you to worship Him. Worship is a momemt by momemt decision to walk the walk as you talk the talk.

Have a Blessed Sunday

Granny C

Anonymous said...

Sounds like you are trying to fight what you are convicted of. I believe everyone will know the truth before it is all over and everyone will make their decision to follow God or the traditions of man. To know God is to serve Him. Matthew 7:21-27 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
7:24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
7:25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
7:26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
7:27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

Anonymous said...

Jesus said in John 14:15 "If ye love me, keep my commandments." His commandments are found in Ex 20:3-17. Jesus preached and quoted from the Old Testament. His life and ministry compliments the Old Testament beautifully.
In Matt 24:35 Jesus said "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away." It is not a matter of opinion, but rather a matter of 'thus saith the Lord' There is a reason He sanctified the Sabbath day and made it holy. He did not make all the days holy, but one. It is our responsibility to find out from Him and Him alone what He wants us to understand from His word.
Just the same way the commandments tell us not to kill and not to steal, it tells us to keep the Sabbath holy. It is amazing how the 4th commandment is the only one that testifies of God as Creator. Read Ex 20:11. This very commandment that would help us to know who gave it to us and who we would be worshipping by keeping the law is the very commandment that is attacked and neglected. Do you think the devil has to do with the confusion most experience about the Sabbath day? I think so! God does not change - Heb 13:8. If He does not change then we must conclude His law does not change! His law tells us about His character...
It is my prayer that you consider this important aspect of God's law seriously and prayerfully. God has given us 10 commandments and not nine. Please pray and ask the Lord to reveal it to you.
God bless!

Anonymous said...

It really doen't matter what the "other" person thinks. It only matters EACH individual thinks, because humans are such tribal beings anyway. You'll note how individualistic we all are, how we favor certain scriptures / doctrines to suit our own needs anyway.

Now what ?

Anonymous said...

It really doesn't matter what the "other" person thinks but what God thinks. God said He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow..God said that He created the world in six days saw that it was good and rested on the 7th day and the evening and the morning was a day...but we think we have the right to interpret what He says. If we study God's word it is plan and doesn't lead to multiple interpretation but people see what they want to see and what they want to hear. Human minds can not grasp creation or most things in the Bible nor do we want to wait on God to explain in heaven so we lend our minds and our mouth to go wherever....but inspite of our many short comings God loves us...and He loves us so much He gave us the seventh day Sabbath for rest.