We should study them because most of us are ignorant about them; because they have historically been at the center of Christian instruction; because they are key to ethics under the Mosaic covenant; because they are key to New Testament ethics; and because God’s Law is good and worthy of our delight. We should obey them because they speak to God’s people who have been set apart to live in God’s way; because they reveal the heart and the character of God himself; because they explain who God is to us; because they guide us into true freedom before God; and because this law is meant to follow (not replace) gospel.

When I was in my late teens and early twenties, I underwent a significant shift in my understanding and practice of the Christian faith. Though I had spent my younger years in the Dutch Reformed tradition, I found myself increasingly drawn to Reformed Baptist churches. Though that transition was quite smooth, there is one issue more than any other that continued to perplex and concern me—the role and relevance of the Ten Commandments in the New Covenant. This was an area of significant and ongoing emphasis in the Dutch Reformed churches of my youth—the Ten Commandments were read aloud each Sunday and we were told to live according to them. Yet I found they typically received scant attention in Baptist churches. Frankly, I was not perfectly comfortable with either approach.

Though my understanding and convictions have since deepened, I was still excited to learn that Kevin DeYoung has written a book on the Ten Commandments. One of the reasons I enjoy DeYoung’s books and wider ministry is that he grew up in a very similar tradition. He gets me, or I get him, or something. I looked forward to reading this take on the commandments and am grateful I took the time to do so. It was time well spent.

DeYoung begins by answering two key questions: Why should we study the Ten Commandments and why should we obey them? We should study them because most of us are ignorant about them; because they have historically been at the center of Christian instruction; because they are key to ethics under the Mosaic covenant; because they are key to New Testament ethics; and because God’s Law is good and worthy of our delight. We should obey them because they speak to God’s people who have been set apart to live in God’s way; because they reveal the heart and the character of God himself; because they explain who God is to us; because they guide us into true freedom before God; and because this law is meant to follow (not replace) gospel.

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