The Secular Educational Value of The Ten Commandments

The Ten Commandments’ utility in secular educational is extensive. A discussion of the Decalogue’s historical value could constitute a semester’s long political science class. The Ten Commandments is one of the essential documents which has advanced both political philosophy and law. Understand modern governance would be replete without touching upon it.

Prior to the Ten Commandments, the Code of Hammurabi contributed immensely to the concept of governance. This Babylonian text involved a monarchical legal system. The Code of Hammurabi went on to influence the Ten Commandments.

The Ten Commandments, however, differed from the Babylonian Code. Most importantly, the Decalogue effectively established a government sans monarchy. The Ten Commandments’ authority was deity derived. The deity being humanity’s creator.

The Ten Commandments evidences that a “mixed multitude” of people from a lower socioeconomic class rejecting monarchical rule. [Exodus 12:38] Rather, they established their own government. Their uniting force was their relationship to humanity’s creator.

The United States Founding Fathers expanded upon this uniting force. In divorcing from the British monarchy, The crafters of the United States’ Declaration of Independence expanded upon the Ten Commandments. The Declaration states “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

The Post Ten Commandments’ Governance

The Founding Fathers embrace of the Ten Commandments’ philosophy warrants their secular study. There is far more to the Israelites’ story. The Hebrew Bible chronicles the historical trajectory of governance.

The Israelite’s direction bears striking similarities to what has occurred in the United States. Thus, there is ample discussion on political philosophy afforded by the Ten Commandments. There is much to compare and contrast with respect to the American experience in governance.

For an extended period of time, the Children of Israel lived in a tribal or state-like format. This tribal format proved problematic when they were forced to interact with neighboring monarchical nations. The Books of Judges and Samuel offer excellent example of the debate over accepting a monarchy. Also, included with these texts is a George Washington moment; a leader who decline kingship.

Eventually, the Children of Israel- a group of twelve tribes- decided upon establishing a monarchical government. In essence, they volitionally created a federal-like arrangement under the guise of a kingship.

The Israelite political history continued with the splintering of the “United Monarchy.” Despite the kinship, there was a divided kingdom which had two competing monarchies. From time to time, they engaged each other in conflict. Eventually, the divided kingdom would re-formulate into a single political entity. The dynamics of this is also worthy of academic study.

Conclusion

The Ten Commandments, as source upon which the United States Founding Father’s created their system of governance, is worthy of being part of secular education. Namely, establishing the concept of equality was derived from the acceptance of a creator of humanity. Thus, this borrowed concept created a system in which individuals could be afforded their right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Likewise, the Israelite history’s similarity to the American experience is worthy of secular study. It constituted a band of twelve tribes which eerily is close to the number of American colonies, thirteen. The Israelites created a federal-like government (of the monarchy.) The Israelites, like the Americans, faced a period of national division and reunification. Thus, there is much, on an academic and secular level, to compare and contrast.

Be well!!

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