 |
“Far too many people look at the Law apart from Christ. They go from the Ten Commandments straight to its application to life, never asking the question: What about Christ? That inevitably leads to legalism, or the belief that we are able to fulfill the law.” So writes John Fesko in the introduction to his new little booklet, The Rule of Love: Broken, Fulfilled, and Applied (Grand Rapids: Reformation Heritage Books, 2009). He concludes his brief intro by explaining the proper way to read, study, and apply the Ten Commandments: by considering the historical, covenantal, and redemptive context of the law. That is the basic paradigm for the entire book – his discussion on each individual commandment.
The book is helpful because it is clear and concise. Fesko explains the historical setting of each commandment, how Christ fulfilled it, and how it applies to us as Christians, those in Christ. Each chapter is only around 10 pages long and concludes with a few study questions. This is a smaller hardcover book for the average parishioner. As I read it, I was thinking how it would be a great Bible study book (for a short study), a great book to give to friends just coming into the Christian faith, and a good little reference for sermons/studies on the Ten Commandments. Again, it is not a scholarly resource with footnotes and extensive quotes; it is a basic and clear Reformational treatment of the Law – as a tutor to drive us to Christ and as a guide to Christian gratitude.
I’ll post a little more on this at a later date. For more info, check it out at the publisher’s site (here).
shane lems
sunnyside wa
The Reformed Reader Blog 