What rules are to be observed

for the right understanding of the ten commandments?

For the right understanding of the ten commandments, these rules are to be observed:

1. That the law is perfect, and bindeth everyone to full conformity in the whole man unto the righteousness thereof, and unto entire obedience forever; so as to require the utmost perfection of every duty, and to forbid the least degree of every sin.[1] 
2. That it is spiritual, and so reaches the understanding, will, affections, and all other powers of the soul; as well as words, works, and gestures.[2]
3. That one and the same thing, in divers respects, is required or forbidden in several commandments.[3]
4. That as, where a duty is commanded, the contrary sin is forbidden;[4] and, where a sin is forbidden, the contrary duty is commanded:[5] so, where a promise is annexed, the contrary threatening is included;[6] and, where a threatening is annexed, the contrary promise is included.[7]
5. That what God forbids, is at no time to be done;[8] What he commands, is always our duty;[9] and yet every particular duty is not to be done at all times.[10]
6. That under one sin or duty, all of the same kind are forbidden or commanded; together with all the causes, means, occasions, and appearances thereof, and provocations thereunto.[11]
7. That what is forbidden or commanded to ourselves, we are bound, according to our places, to endeavor that it may be avoided or performed by others, according to the duty of their places.[12]
8. That in what is commanded to others, we are bound, according to our places and callings, to be helpful to them;[13] and to take heed of partaking with others in: What is forbidden them.[14]

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Theological Term of the Week

 

exegesis

The process of drawing out the original (or author-intended) meaning of a text of scripture.

• From scripture:

  Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15 ESV) 
  

• From John Piper in Biblical Exegesis: Discovering the Scriptural Meaning of Biblical Texts.

  For those who think the Bible is infallible and authoritative in matters of faith and practice, good exegesis becomes a very humbling task. It demands that our own ideas take second place. The way we feel and think about life is restrained as we allow ourselves to listen to what the author feels and thinks. Good exegesis becomes a threat to our pride. By it we run the risk of honestly discovering that the prophetic and apostolic view of life is different from our own, so that our view — and with it our pride — must crumble.  
  

Learn more

1. D. A. Carson: Must I Learn How to Interpret the Bible (pdf)
2. Sam Storms: Essential Tools for Exegesis
3. D. A. Carson: R. C. Sproul interviews D. A. Carson on biblical exegesis (video)
4. Basics of the Bible: Interpretation, Hermeneutics, Exegesis…
5. J. I. Packer: Interpretation of Scripture

Related terms:

• biblical hermeneutics
• eisegesis
• perspicuity of scripture

Filed under Scripture.

This theological term was suggested by Pam who blogs at a rustling of leaves …. ( I think that’s the right Pam. If it’s not, I’m hoping the right Pam will let me know.) Have you come across a theological term that you don’t understand and you’d like to see featured here as a Theological Term of the Week? If you email it to me, I’ll seriously consider using it, giving you credit for the suggestion and linking back to your blog when I do.

 

Click on the graphic to find a list of all the past Theological Terms of the Week in alphabetical order. 

Dog Days of February

 Photo by Andrew Stark

 
This is Taffy. It’s been cold here and she’s been hibernating, except for the trip to her dog dish for supper and the 4 AM trip outside to do what she really should have done earlier. She’s made the wing chair in the living room her den, so I’ve covered it with a sheet.

More February Dog Days posts:

• Stacy’s long-haired dachshund is not hibernating. She likes to go outside, but the results are disastrous.
• Dorothy, guest blogging at Vizslocity, tells us a coyote adventure story that involves her little Maltese, Charlie.
• Kim’s dog post will increase your Vizsla vocabulary.
• Tim posts a photo of his family’s miniature schnauzer puppy. I helped puppysit a miniature schnauzer for a week in January and she was such fun! Only four months old, but so well behaved.
  

To give credit where credit is due: Rosemary used the title phrase in her comment about this month’s dog theme and I liked it, so I’m borrowing it from her until the end of the month when she can have it back. 

I’m inviting you to participate in the Dog Days of February. If you post anything dog related during this month, send me the link by clicking on the Contact button in the sidebar. I’ll link back to your post in the next February Dog Days post.

Need some ideas? Why not

• Post a photo or video of your dog.
• Tell us a doggy story.
  
• Write a piece about a childhood pet dog.
  
• Explain why you chose the pet dog you did.
  
• Say why you’d never in a million years have a pet dog.
• Search YouTube for humourous dog video and embed it.
  
• Rant about dog blogging and how stupid it is.
• Research dingoes or any other wild dog and inform us.
  
• Scan pictures from the bad dog calendar you got for Christmas and post them.
• Instruct us on the proper way to clip doggy toenails.
• Compose a poem on the delights of puppy breath.
• Share your homemade dog treat recipe.
  

And you don’t have to have a blog to participate. Just send me your contribution and I’ll post it right here for you.

Expect to see the next collection of doggy post sometime this coming Friday, February 8th.

What are you waiting for? Here’s your chance to dote on your pets in your blog and not feel guilty or foolish, because, after all, you’re just being a good sport and helping me out!