[XJarhead]

Granted that laws against murder and theft derive for 10C.

As I said previously, I think that's inaccurate. Laws against murder and theft exist in places that have little or no knowledge of the Ten Commandments. They existed before the Ten Commandments were even written. Cain was punished for murdering Abel, right?

[pgyanke]

"As I said previously, I think that's inaccurate. Laws against murder and theft exist in places that have little or no knowledge of the Ten Commandments. They existed before the Ten Commandments were even written. Cain was punished for murdering Abel, right?"

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Exactly! Why do the Ten Commandments have any force to them at all? Look to the author. Who is it who commands them? God.

Cain was punished by God...the same God who later codified the law. He's remarkably consistent. If you understand this action and consequence, you understand that God is serious in his instruction.

Why are the Ten Commandments commandments? 'Cause God said so.