The problem is half of the 10 commandments are specifically addressing the inner religious beliefs and outward practices of the people. Israel was established as a theocracy, i.e. a holy land where justified holy war maintained the purity of the land, as well as holy punishments on unholy sinners, etc. and they were explicitly marked out as a people cherished especially by God, that was supposed to be evidenced by their singular devotion to him alone. God did not covenant with any other nation in this way. Read through ALL of Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy, Joshua, and so on to get a real grasp on both the blessings and the severity of Israel entering into covenant with God, with the 10 commandments being the pinnacle summary of their responsibilities to maintain life and peace in the land.
This does not diminish the fact that God will judge all mankind according to their deeds and knowledge of him, but the provisional standard by which nations and societies ought to function (apart from theocratic Israel) is characterized by Natural Law - i.e. the moral character of God known in nature and human conscience, which directs our sense of right and wrong towards our fellow man. A life-affirming general equity of justice and peace to allow humanity to be preserved.
The problem is half of the 10 commandments are specifically addressing the inner religious beliefs and outward practices of the people. Israel was established as a theocracy, i.e. a holy land where justified holy war maintained the purity of the land, as well as holy punishments on unholy sinners, etc. and they were explicitly marked out as a people cherished especially by God, that was supposed to be evidenced by their singular devotion to him alone. God did not covenant with any other nation in this way. Read through ALL of Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy, Joshua, and so on to get a real grasp on both the blessings and the severity of Israel entering into covenant with God, with the 10 commandments being the pinnacle summary of their responsibilities to maintain life and peace in the land.
This does not diminish the fact that God will judge all mankind according to their deeds and knowledge of him, but the provisional standard by which nations and societies ought to function (apart from theocratic Israel) is characterized by Natural Law - i.e. the moral character of God known in nature and human conscience, which directs our sense of right and wrong towards our fellow man. A life-affirming general equity of justice and peace to allow humanity to be preserved.
I love it when good people, smart people, can agree to disagree, amiably and civilly. Thank you for your response.
It's becoming a rare quality, most especially online.