Some rules of moral conduct are universal. Throughout history and across the world, most cultures have recognized certain behaviors as either bad or good. C.S. Lewis compiled a list of these universal morals, drawing from the historical and philosophical writings of ancient and not-so-ancient Jewish, Christian, Hindu, Greek, Roman, Chinese, Babylonian, Egyptian, Norse, French, Anglo-Saxon, Australian Aboriginal, English, and Indian cultures. The list includes: 1) not harming others intentionally; 2) intentionally doing good for others; 3) respecting and honoring parents, elders, and ancestors; 4) caring and providing for children and posterity; 5) fidelity in marriage and other inter-personal relations, and justice in the courts; 6) general truthfulness; 7) mercy, and 8) magnanimity.

Even with all of recorded history backing up the concept of universal morality, our culture seems to have adopted the idea that the majority decides what is right and what is wrong. By accepting this new creed, however, are we saying that we know better than God?

–Andy McClung

• How would you respond to someone who says, “The Ten Commandments were okay 4,000 years ago, but they just aren’t relevant to the modern world”?
• Do you think the Ten Commandments should be removed from the wall of the Supreme Court, national monuments, and the like? Why or why not?
• Does your Bible say “Do not kill” or “Do not murder”? What’s the difference? How does this commandment apply to self-defense? War? Capital punishment?

How Do I Act?

1. Develop a response to such statements as “The Ten Commandments are outdated” and be prepared to use it.
2. Study C. S. Lewis’ The Abolition of Man and Peter Kreeft’s commentary on it, C.S. Lewis for the Third Millennium.
3. Examine the entertainment media your youth and children or your congregation’s youth and children consume (TV, movies, music, books) and observe the morals being taught therein. Pay special attention to commercials and what they are selling.
4. Invite your Christian Education committee to consider using a curriculum that explores themes found in the Ten Commandments such as sexuality and relational issues, or capital punishment and life issues. Use the curriculum with all ages in your congregation.

Photo by Sean Foster on Unsplash