Why Commandments are Good, but Stories are Better

Turns out God is brilliant.

Naked truths, rules, and blatant commandments are necessary things. We need to know what is acceptable to God, to a parent, to a chemistry teacher, to an amusement park ride operator, to a police officer, etc. Knowing what is expected enables us to use our ability to choose between what has been declared right and what has been declared wrong.

Commands and commandments are vital.

But stories show us why commandments matter. A story is arguably the best teacher in the world (personal experience is the only more potent thing I can think of). Stories show us what happens when people abide by certain truths or commands and what happens when they don’t.

Stories allow us to weigh, test, and virtually explore the parameters of commandments that characters in a book encounter—often under extreme virtual circumstances—before actually having to endure those circumstances and make those decisions ourselves. (Perhaps if the set of now infamous alleged adulterers at the Coldplay concert last year had read the story of Joseph in Egypt more earnestly, they would have been more wise and “got them out” before massive embarrassment, regret, and life destruction ensued.)

At any rate, commandments dictate behavior. A story illustrates why I should or should not engage in that behavior, complete with complicated loyalties, persuasive villains, heart wrenching sacrifices, and world-saving consequences. So, the more stories we read that let us weigh and heft and embrace truth and the commandments that go with it, the better off we are.

The scriptures are full of stories that illustrate the commandments that are declared alongside them. It’s brilliant that God not only provided two tablets with 10 commandments etched on them, but he gave us hundreds of pages of stories to go along with them.

In addition to the scriptures, some key books have helped me perceive and commit to the commandments and God and the truths behind them. And that got me thinking: What if we could compile a list of books that—in some way or another—illustrate each of the Ten Commandments? I’ve been working on it, and it’s a tougher task than I thought! Of course, most books of any length and complexity illustrate more than just one truth or one commandment so, many books could fit into multiple slots.

I’m working on the list…and I’d love your input! What books would YOU put on the list? What books have helped you understand and commit to one or more of the 10 Commandments? What stories would be best for children or families to read to reinforce the commands of God in their minds and hearts?

(One obvious one I’d put on the list is The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis. Edmund’s lying, covetousness, and eventual repentance is extremely instructive.)

I plan to start a Substack chat on this topic soon where you can let me know which books you think best illustrate one or more of the Ten Commandments and why. Or you can reply to this email! I can’t wait to hear from you! Join my chat here:

With love,

Kimberly

Me and my boy recently at the feet of a replica of a statue of Jesus known as The Christus, carved by Bertel Thorvaldsen.