The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum The 10 Commandments

Recently, I discovered that the Catholics and Protestants list different 10 Commandments. Also, I think the Jews have a different list as well. It might not be such a big deal in that they are combined, not added or subtracted (I think they combine 1 and 2 as one; and they split 10 into two commandments). I'm not sure about the Jews. What I would be interesting in finding out was when the particular groups of 10 were established. Did the Protestant Reformation changed the list, or did the Catholics came about during Trent? Did even Christians have an established list of 10 Commandments during the first centuries of Christianity?

In the first century the Christians and the Jews had Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5. The 10 Commandments that were given to Moses on Mt. Sinai were not something new. They were the publishing of the moral law that was resident in the very soul of every human being at conception. (cf. Rom 1:19,20,28-32; 2:11-15: 5:12-14)

Right, I'm not questioning that. When did Christians begin to use the term, 'Ten Commandments' and why the Protestants and Catholics number them differently?

There are several instances of "Ten Commandments" in the Pentateuch (Ex.20:1, Ex.34:28, Deut.4:13, Deut.10:4), so the term was used ever since they were given. I have no doubt that early new testament Christians would have continued that use.

That the RC ten are different than the Protestant ten I knew; that the Jewish ten were different, I had not heard before. That is a good question.

Interesting, what are the differences?

Tom

Tom, although your question was directed to John, I will provide a short reply. A quick search turns up many sites discussing this matter, from which I will list just three that appear near the beginning:

Teaching the Word Ministries

Girded with Truth

Preparing for Eternity

Each of these show the differences in the commandments. I know nothing about any of these three sites, and reference them only in so far as they provide an answer to the question.

I will vouch for the first one: Teaching the Word Ministries" as being quite reliable in most things. As with any church, ministry, renown person, etc., one must always use discernment and not elevate any man to the status of an idol. I personally do not have any knowledge of the other two in the list.

That's good to know; thanks. I've bookmarked it, and will give it further perusal.