jazzyjan94's review
Ten Words to Live By by Jen Wilkin is about the ten commandments and how they apply to Christians today. It was a pretty decent book, I learned quite a bit in the first half, but then the second half seemed to be a rehash of what I already know. But I still appreciated how Jen Wilkin takes readers through each commandment, breaks it down, and then shows how we can apply it in our daily lives. I also loved that she emphasized that while certain sins can be viewed as "personal" sins, they still have an affect on the community as a whole (especially the Christian community). She also emphasizes the importance of knowing the Lord in able to be one of His followers and strive to follow His commands. I recommend it for those who are interested in learning more about the then commandments and their applicability today, and for fans of Jen Wilkin's previous works.
wasabeegail's review
challenging
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
4.0
“ten words to live by. ten words to show us the pattern of Christlikeness and to stir in us a longing for the kingdom to come. ten words to convince hs, to shape us, and to give hs hope. ten words that Jesus came not to abolish, but to fulfill.”
mktraxel's review
4.0
4.5 ★
I read this in preparation to teach on Exodus 19-20 this month. Jen's teaching on the Ten Commandments and their relevance to the Christian today was very helpful, especially in expanding commands 6-10 from "bare minimum obedience" to their near universal root causes, and to positive action as we wait for the Kingdom to come.
I would summarize as: (1-4) Do not diminish God in your allegiance, your worship, your speech or your need for rest. (5) Honor earthly authority* (6-10) Do not murder, adulterate, steal, bear false witness or covet; but honor your fellow Image Bearer.
*I felt this chapter moved too quickly from literal parents to figurative, but that was my biggest complaint with the book.
I read this in preparation to teach on Exodus 19-20 this month. Jen's teaching on the Ten Commandments and their relevance to the Christian today was very helpful, especially in expanding commands 6-10 from "bare minimum obedience" to their near universal root causes, and to positive action as we wait for the Kingdom to come.
I would summarize as: (1-4) Do not diminish God in your allegiance, your worship, your speech or your need for rest. (5) Honor earthly authority* (6-10) Do not murder, adulterate, steal, bear false witness or covet; but honor your fellow Image Bearer.
*I felt this chapter moved too quickly from literal parents to figurative, but that was my biggest complaint with the book.
lyshreads's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
Great study on the ten commandments. Easy to listen to and lots to absorb and reflect on.
rybrookins's review
5.0
Jen Wilkin does it again. This book deepened my understanding of the law —> revealed again just how much we need grace !!
shelbiewitohers's review
5.0
More than any contemporary Christian author I've read, Jen Wilkin has a gift for making her readers contemplate the Bible in theologically deep ways with practical implications. Much like in her previous works (None Like Him, and In His Image), this book takes a familiar concept and illuminates the text with connections and significance for our lives. In this book, the passage of choice is the Ten Commandments. While most Christians are familiar with this Old Testament passage, this book is full of insights for the ways we so often break these commandments without even realizing it. I came away from this book with a deeper understanding of this passage, and learned so much about the ways the text builds on itself. I am always impressed by Jen's clarity and intention in her writing as well.