Why the Ten Commandments Matter [Hardcover]

D. James Kennedy (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 16, 2005

From the acclaimed author and minister comes a rejuvenating, meditative examination of the value of the Ten Commandments in today's America. D. James Kennedy believes many of the social ills that plague America today-from an exponentially rising divorce rate to the violence in our schools-stem from society's ever-increasing distance from the Ten Commandments. Kennedy advocates a return to these fundamental laws, which have the power to prevent further tragedy and transgression, and to unify a nation. Kennedy's message on the urgency of regression is aimed at Christians and non-Christians alike, and what results is a biblical prescription for happier, healthier living.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Kennedy, a Florida minister with national influence through writing and hosting the television program The Coral Ridge Hour, says that our morally sick society needs the antidote found in God's law. Kennedy begins by explaining why the Ten Commandments remain relevant: they summarize God's timeless moral law, convince people that they are sinners, and teach believers what pleases God. Kennedy then walks the reader through the positive and negative imperatives of each commandment. Interpretations that would have been familiar in American culture a generation ago might sound foreign to many readers. For example, Kennedy suggests that it's wrong to go out to eat on Sunday, and he says that the fifth commandment mandates respect not only for parents but for all those in authority. His sermonic style, reliance on hypothetical examples and tired anecdotes limit the book's effectiveness. He fails to provide sources for purported facts; for example, statements like "Today, in Los Angeles, there are more gang members than there are police officers" beg for attribution. Kennedy also prefaces several assertions with "I believe" or "in my opinion," a distraction during a discussion of absolute truth. While Kennedy answers the question implicit in the title, stylistic shortcomings muffle this book's message. (May 16)

About the Author

AUTHORBIO: D. James Kennedy lives in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: FaithWords (May 16, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446577278
• ISBN-13: 978-0446577274
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,463,042 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Ten Commandments still matter..., December 27, 2005

By 

R. Setliff - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Why the Ten Commandments Matter (Hardcover)

This is an insightful exposition on the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:2-7) and their continued relevance today. It is written by one of America's leading conservative evangelical Christian thinkers. Dr. D. James Kennedy, pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Florida, offers a thought-provoking overview of the Commandments and it explains their application today. Liberal critics who prejudge the book and dismiss it as a plea for civil religion are missing the point. Likewise, antinomians who think grace is some carte blanche for Christians being like the rest of the world ought to take a cue from Kennedy. Salvation is not of works, it is of grace.

Jesus Christ himself itinerated the importance of the commandments, but the Gospel message reminds us that we fallible sinners who fall short of God's perfect righteousness which is where grace abounds for those of faith. Nonetheless, the fruit of a geniune saving are the good works that God has ordained that we should walk in. If we love God we will obey his commandments. We turn to His Holy Spirit for strength to accomplish that purpose. The Ten Commandments are as relevant as ever. I was disheartened to hear fellow students at Christians colleges pronounce their irrelevance in a classroom discussion about grace. That is just bad doctrine. D. James Kennedy corrects such misguided notions, and reminds us of the consequences of sin.

This is one of the best new books on the Ten Commandments in recent years. I think D. James Kennedy has done a better job than Pat Robertson's book, The Ten Offenses, which is also pretty good.

In the Gospel of Matthew, specifically Matthew 22:37-40, our Lord Jesus Christ explictly encapsulated the Ten Commandments in this statement: Jesus replied, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbour as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars No new information here, just preaching and moralizing., October 1, 2007

By 

Kerry Rose (Utah, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Why the Ten Commandments Matter (Hardcover)

I picked up this book strictly on the basis of its title (not knowing anything about the author), hoping it would provide a scholarly discussion of the Ten Commandments. I was disappointed to discover that it was essentially a sermon in book form, continuing the tired old diatribe about how our society is going to hell in a handbasket.

Obviously, the Decalogue covers some of the basic rules that any society must follow if it wishes to survive, namely, those against murder and theft. Some of the others require much more explanation and justification to be taken seriously. But Kennedy doesn't add any information of value; worse, he continues to foster the many misconceptions about these rules.

For example, in his discussion of the commandment not to take "the Lord's name in vain," he immediately launches into a lecture about profanity, about people who say "G-- D--- this" and "G-- D--- that." Clearly, the "name" of the god of the Old Testament is NOT "God." It's YHWH. So how can one break this commandment by speaking the word "god" in any context? He also fails to explain the "in vain" part of the commandment, and how one would go about using the name YHWH "in vain" (for one's own selfish purposes). Disappointing.

Another example is the discussion of the stricture against bearing "false witness" against a neighbor, which, according to the words, seems to be specifically about presenting a false testimony or bringing false legal charges. Yet the author ignores this and sermonizes on the general evils of lying, as if the commandment were "thou shalt not lie." His discussion on why the concept of Sabbath is valid for non-Jews, as well as why Sunday should be observed as the Sabbath Day rather than the "Lord's Day," is likewise lacking foundation.

If you want a sermon aimed at believers, this is your book. If you are looking for a good treatise on the real meaning of ALL of the Ten Commandments (or an explanation for why secular citizens should pay them any heed), look elsewhere.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Which Commandments Are You Breaking?, November 25, 2008

By 

Rebecca Johnson "The Rebecca Review" (Washington State) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Why the Ten Commandments Matter (Hardcover)

"The truth is that not one of us has kept the commandments. In thought and word and deed we have broken all of them." ~ pg. 143

If you are curious to know which of the Ten Commandments you could possibly be breaking, this book is an excellent place to start. D. James Kennedy not only explains the Ten Commandments in detail he also brings up salient points about each commandment that you may have never considered. When discussing the commandment about not stealing he not only speaks about stealing from our fellow humans but how we may also be stealing from God.

To say the least this is a very thought-provoking book. One of the issues that is set straight in this book is the issue of murder. The correct translation of "thou shalt not kill" is actually "thou shalt not murder."

This book may be difficult for some people to read, especially if you are not open to confessing your sins. Each chapter ends with a prayer of confession that leads to more peace and harmony in the heart. So the initial shock of realizing you have broken many of the commandments (who hasn't sworn or taken the Lord's name in vain and who hasn't lied) is softened by knowing you can ask for forgiveness and that God forgives all sins. OK, there is apparently one unforgiveable sin.

While this book focuses mostly on the Ten Commandments there are some interesting discussions on the qualities of God and a short section on pantheism, polytheism, deism and New Age religious beliefs.

"As a society, we have blatantly turned away from the Ten Commandments, and as a result, our world has become unstable, frightening, and dangerous." ~ pg. 9

This is a very serious book with a serious message. How you deal with your sin could determine your eternal destiny. I can highly recommend this book to all Christians and to anyone curious about what it takes to be a good Christian. I can also highly recommend The Ten Commandments: The Significance of God's Laws in Everyday Life.

~The Rebecca Review