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Posted May 18, 2004 Book: The Decalogue in the Sermon on the Mount Author: Dan Lioy Peter Lang, New York, pp. 331 An Excerpt from the Jacket: In this book, Dan Lioy investigates the biblical concept of the law and conducts a thoroughgoing analysis of the Decalogue and the Sermon on the Mount, paying particular attention to the connection between these two great bodies of biblical literature. The result is a comprehensive work that argues for the enduring relevance of the moral law. This volume is appropriate for personal study and is also suitable as a college and seminary text. An Excerpt from the book: The Purposes of Law The law serves several interrelated purposes. First, it is like a mirror that reflects the perfect righteousness of God and a person’s own sinfulness and shortcomings. God uses the law to make people aware of their misdeeds. Through the work of the law in one’s life, a person sees that all have sinned and fallen short of the supreme standard of righteousness. . . . A second purpose of the law is that it not only shows people their sin but also it steers them away from transgression and toward the Savior. God placed people under the guardianship of the law to lead them to salvation in Christ. . . . A third purpose of the law is that it serves a civic function by restraining evil. The law tells people what transgression is by laying out boundaries for them. The know that the law cannot change the wicked bend of the human heart. Nevertheless, the law can, to a certain degree, inhibit anarchy by its threats of judgment, especially when those threats are reinforced by civil codes that administer punishment for confirmed transgressions. . . . A fourth purpose of the law is that it reveals the moral precepts by which God’s people must live and alerts them to the good works God has planned for them. It is true that believers are no longer under the condemnation of the law, for Christ has freed them from it. Nevertheless, the law still plays a viable role in the lives of believers. Its moral demands are worthy to be studied and heeded. The law continues to reveal whether believers are living for God as much as they should. . . . A fifth purpose of the law is that it can serve as a reminder of what believers were like before they trusted in Christ. As they reflect on God’s perfect moral standard, as revealed in the law, they will see how sinful they were. The will also appreciate God’s grace in rescuing them from eternal punishment. . . . A sixth purpose of law is that it can help believers recognize when they have done something wrong. Table of Contents: Chapter 1: The Enduring Relevance of the Moral Law Chapter 2: The Biblical Concept of the Law Chapter 3; An Overview of the Decalogue Chapter 4: Content Analysis of the Decalogue Chapter 5: An Overview of the Sermon on the Mount Chapter 6: Content Analysis of the Sermon on the Mount Chapter 7: Affirming the Moral Law’s Enduring Relevance |