Words of Life

Praise

“Adam Hamilton is a teacher of the highest order, able to bridge the gap between very old divine teaching and very current human reality with fidelity, intelligence, and a heart so attuned to his readers that even the most damaged truster can relax. Whether you ever plan to step inside a church or not, be sure to step inside this book. I have no doubt that your life and the life of the world will be richer if you do.”—Barbara Brown Taylor, author of Always a Guest: Speaking of Faith Far from Home

“Right after Sinai, Moses declared, ‘Not with our ancestors did the Lord make this covenant, but with us, who are all of us here alive today.’ In our generation of moral relativism and ethical confusion, Hamilton has a powerful voice for ethical clarity and moral imagination. Here he takes up ‘the big ten’ and in a winsome study shows how the commandments both mandate us and yield new life for us. Hamilton is a master teacher and offers his work in a way that is accessible and persuasive.”—Walter Brueggemann, professor emeritus, Columbia Theological Seminary, author of The Prophetic Imagination

“What a thoughtful, timely exploration of the Ten Commandments! Many of us slip into believing that there’s no more for us to learn from these familiar passages, but Hamilton’s smart, clear writing brings new understanding and new inspiration to this lifelong Christian. . . . A grounding and challenging book that I’ll be recommending over and over—to both younger and more mature Christians alike.”—Shauna Niequist, New York Times bestselling author of Present Over Perfect

“Biblically faithful, personally courageous, and pastorally sensitive, Hamilton shows how the Ten Commandments provide necessary guidance for today’s troubled times.”—Amy-Jill Levine, University Professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies, Vanderbilt Divinity School

“We have learned that whenever we are in the hands of Hamilton, we are in for a biblical, vibrantly Christian presentation of the gospel. But the Ten Commandments? Yes, even these ancient, imposing ‘thou shalt nots,’ under Hamilton’s guidance, can be seen as divine gifts pointing us the way toward more joyful, abundant living. His reflections will enable you to rejoice again at the wonder of a God who loves us enough not to leave us to wander alone but to show us, in the Decalogue, the way to become who we were created to be.”—Will Willimon, professor of the practice of Christian ministry, United Methodist bishop, retired, and author of Accidental Preacher: A Memoir