Christians: are there exceptions to the Ten Commandments?

Question

For example: would you blame a girl for not honoring her father, after that same father had raped her?

And would you blame the mother in Africa, that couldn't feed her child for a week, for stealing an apple?

Or suppose someone breaks into your house and says "Where is your child? I'm going to murder him." Would you be allowed to lie when you answered?

Well, etc, etc.

I'm just wondering if the 10 Commandments are of absolute value to you, or if certain exceptions would make sense to you as well.

Answer 1

good question, and from what I have seen you have some varied and different answers.

So here is my thinking. At first I would say they were absolute and then after I thought about it, I would say maybe they are more of a guideline, something to strive for, something to aim at.

It is hard for any child to honor either of their parents after they have been abused. But if that child holds in that hate and anger then it will just eat the child up from the inside. So I would say that maybe honor is not the right word, but with the appropriate professional counseling then the child can accept what happened to them and move on.

As for your other two examples, a parent has to protect and defend their children.... so if the only option was stealing and/or telling a lie - then the parent didn't have a choice.

Only God truly knows what is in each of our hearts. So I strive to live by the commandments, but I am not perfect and sometimes I fail. The only person I have to reason and explain it to in the end is God. As he will be the only one judging me.....

Answer 2

I do not believe that the ten commandments as they were written, place them selves into morally questionable realms on their own accord. Placed into human language, those that would commit sin against it would use language to justify not following it. You are also asking us to judge, when an assessment of our own behavior in those situations is more appropriate.

If the woman who was raped, says this man is not my father, that is dishonour. She need not live with him, could even testify against him (bearing true witness). Is it morally healthier for her to be a bigger person than him, move on with her life and not even associate with him? I think so. To continue a destructive tear down because one was sinned against is revenge. How well does that sit with you?

Stealing to feed a child...classic case. Who is the victim? The woman who steals for her hungry child or the clerk who can't feed his family because of theft? If your hard work, effort, creativity was taken because someone else felt thier need was greater than your own, you would assume they were arrogant in their assumptions.

The last scenario tests the "shall not bear false witness" commandment. The only option you have to protect a child is to lie? Not only would I not be having the conversation, but several things can be done that protects your kid.

Answer 3

What about not keeping the Sabbath holy? Some people need to work 7 days a week to feed their families?

I don't get it? What's so great about these 10 commandments?

For example? Wouldn't "Thou shalt not rape" be a better commandment than "Don't covet your neighbor's property (wife being property according to the 10 Commandments)?

*EDIT* No commandment agaisnt stealing? There must be a misprint in my bible because it clearly says "Thou shalt not steal".

Answer 4

How about "Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy."
Is a lie the same as bearing false witness? I think not.
Rabbis have written a lot on the subject, but it makes for boring reading.
Suppose you keep in spirit the two greatest commandments and use your common sense for the rest.

Answer 5

the ten commandments is absolute.

1. the father who rapes his own daughter is an animal, not a father. so the daughter should honor the one who truly is her father - in many cases the only father some of us know is God.

2. the african mom who stole food to feed her starving child did commit a sin. however, she has the chance to repent for her sin when she consumes the food with gratitude, apologizes for her theft, and then brings repayment for what she has stolen.

3. when the murderer breaks into my house intent on murdering my child, why am i going to waste time lying? i'm going to defend my child to the death if necessary...

God wants our hearts, not mindless obedience through legalism.

Answer 6

Christians are not bound by the Ten Commandments, at least not in the way you see them.

There is no commandment against stealing by the way. Coveting yes, stealing no.

When Jesus was asked which is the greatest commandment he answered, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart with all your soul and with all your mind, and the second is like unto it, love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." And again, as he washed the feet of his apostles, "I give you a new commandment, love one another as I have loved you."

Answer 7

The 11th Commandment(or more?) probably broke off the bottom of the tablet.

Guessing it was "It all depends ." ;D

Answer 8

Well, there's a big standard caveat: "Unless God tells you different." You know, it's ok to kill, as long as it's Midianites or whatever; it's ok not to honor your parents, since Jesus said you had to hate them, it's ok to steal donkeys if they're for Jesus' personal use, etc., etc.

Hey, Linda R, what Bible are you using? "Thou shalt not steal" is in every damn one.

Answer 9

I forgot how I loved Christianity so!!!..we got to make up the rules as we went along and change whatever the Bible says to suit whatever else the Bible says..

Answer 10

if there is exceptions to the ten commandments then i better read the bible again. i haven't read the exceptions in any bible.if you think there is your reading the wrong bible or your not reading it at all or you have been getting your information from the wrong people.