Ethan Walker
The Catholic Church is often accused of changing the Ten Commandments, particularly by anti-Catholics and Protestants. The Catholic Church is said to have omitted the commandment that forbids the making of graven images, which confirms the accusation that Catholics worship idols. However, the Catholic Church condemns idolatry explicitly, and the Catechism of the Catholic Church gives an authoritative list of the Ten Commandments. The difference in the way the Catholic Church separates the Ten Commandments becomes most pronounced when the portion relating to the commandments in catechisms is presented. The Catholic Church largely follows St. Augustine, who wrote about the division of the commandments in the fourth century.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| The Catholic Church changed the Ten Commandments | No |
| The Catholic Church condemns idolatry | Yes |
| The Catholic Church changed the Sabbath to the Lord's Day | Yes |
| The Catholic Church divides Exodus 20:17, prohibiting covetousness, into two commandments | Yes |
| The Catholic Church combines coveting your neighbor's wife and coveting your neighbor's property into one commandment | Yes |
| The Catholic Church separates the Ten Commandments differently | Yes |
| The Catholic Church's listing of the Ten Commandments is based on the version found in Deuteronomy | Yes |
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What You'll Learn
- The Catholic Ten Commandments omit the commandment against making graven images
- The Catechism of the Catholic Church gives an authoritative list of the Ten Commandments
- The Catholic Church condemns idolatry, including the worship of images
- The Catholic Church separates Exodus 20:17, prohibiting covetousness, into two commandments
- The Catholic Church follows St. Augustine's division of the commandments
The Catholic Ten Commandments omit the commandment against making graven images
The Catholic Ten Commandments have been accused of omitting the commandment against making graven images. This accusation stems from the fact that the Catholic Church presents the Ten Commandments in a different way than some other Christian denominations, such as Protestants. The Catholic Church separates the commandment prohibiting covetousness into two commandments, resulting in a total of ten commandments. This separation is based on the teachings of St. Augustine, who sought to properly obey and venerate all the commandments of the Lord.
The omission of the commandment against making graven images, often referred to as the prohibition of idolatry, has led to accusations that Catholics worship idols. However, the Catholic Church explicitly condemns idolatry and the worship of images. They argue that there was no established and universally accepted canon of the Ten Commandments at the time of Augustine's writing, and there was disagreement among Jews and Christians about how to interpret the commandments regarding idolatry and covetousness.
The Catholic Church uses the listing of the Ten Commandments found in Exodus 20, which is also followed by those who adhere to the western rite. They argue that the commandment against making graven images is not a strict prohibition against making "any likeness of anything". This is evidenced by biblical texts where God commands or praises the creation of images and statues, such as in Exodus 25:18, Numbers 21:8-9, and 1 Kings 6:23-28, 9:3.
The numbering and arrangement of the Ten Commandments vary across different traditions. For example, Jews count the commandments differently from Greek Orthodox and Reformed Churches, who may further differ from Roman Catholics and Lutherans. These variations in numbering and arrangement contribute to the perception that the Catholic Church changed the Ten Commandments by omitting the commandment against making graven images. However, the Catholic Church maintains that their interpretation is based on a careful reading of the Bible and the teachings of St. Augustine.
In conclusion, while the Catholic Ten Commandments may appear to omit the commandment against making graven images, it is important to understand the context of biblical interpretation and the theological traditions that influence how the commandments are presented and understood.
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The Catechism of the Catholic Church gives an authoritative list of the Ten Commandments
The Catechism specifies the duties of citizens and nations, which include obedience and honour to those in authority, as well as the payment of taxes, the right to vote, and the defence of one's country. The fifth commandment, according to the Catechism, is related to scandal, which it defines as "an attitude or behaviour that leads another to do evil". It also states that causing another's faith, hope, and love to be weakened is considered a serious crime, especially if the perpetrator is a person of authority.
The Catechism also addresses the commandment, "You shall not kill", adding to it the proscriptions against anger, hatred, and vengeance. It teaches that self-defence is legitimate and that someone who defends their life is not guilty of murder, even if they are forced to deal a lethal blow. Furthermore, it asserts that "it is legitimate to insist on respect for one's own right to life".
The Catechism of the Catholic Church has been subject to changes and updates over time. For example, on August 2, 2018, the Church adopted the view that capital punishment is "inadmissible" as it violates human dignity. While the exact numbering of the commandments may vary, the Catechism of the Catholic Church provides an authoritative list that guides Catholic morality and doctrine.
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The Catholic Church condemns idolatry, including the worship of images
The Catholic Church has been accused of idolatry, or the worship of idols, due to its use of statues, relics, icons, and images in religious practices and teachings. The Church, however, strongly condemns idolatry and considers it a sin. While the Church utilizes visual representations, it maintains that these are not worshipped but serve as visual aids or tools to enhance worship and deepen devotion to God and the saints.
The accusation of idolatry against the Catholic Church often revolves around its use of statues and images, which some interpret as a violation of the second commandment: "You shall not make for yourself a graven image or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth" (Exodus 20:4). Critics argue that the Church's inclusion of statues and images in its worship practices contradicts this commandment and promotes idolatry.
In defence, the Catholic Church asserts that the use of images and statues does not constitute idolatry. They argue that these visual representations aid in worship and help to deepen the knowledge and love of God and the saints. The Church emphasizes that the objects themselves are not worshipped but are tools to enhance devotion to the divine. This practice is not unique to Catholicism, as many other Christian denominations also use images and statues in their worship without considering it idolatrous.
Additionally, the Catholic Church combines and summarizes the first and second commandments as "I am the Lord your God" in its catechism and official documents. This combination has been criticized as an attempt to hide the prohibition against making graven images. However, the Church maintains that its interpretation and numbering of the commandments are authoritative and do not promote idolatry.
While the Catholic Church denies the accusation of idolatry, some critics remain unconvinced. They argue that certain practices within Catholicism, such as the veneration of saints and the Virgin Mary, elevate these figures to a status akin to worship. Furthermore, the presence of statues, relics, and lavish displays of wealth in Catholic churches reinforces the perception of idolatry for some. However, Catholics assert that their devotion to saints and sacred objects does not constitute worship in the traditional sense and that their ultimate worship is directed solely toward God.
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The Catholic Church separates Exodus 20:17, prohibiting covetousness, into two commandments
The Catholic Church's interpretation of the Ten Commandments is based on the version found in Deuteronomy, which is different from the Protestant version based on Exodus. The Catholic Church separates Exodus 20:17, prohibiting covetousness, into two commandments: the ninth commandment regarding coveting one's neighbour's wife, and the tenth commandment regarding coveting one's neighbour's property. This separation is attributed to St. Augustine, who aimed to properly obey and venerate all the commandments without "deleting" anything.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church provides an authoritative list of the Ten Commandments. The Catholic numbering starts with "Thou shalt not have strange gods before me" and "Thou shalt not make to thyself a graven thing nor the likeness of anything", combining these into the first commandment. This combination has been criticised by some who argue that the Catholic Church is omitting the commandment against idolatry. However, the Church explicitly condemns idolatry and the worship of images.
The separation of Exodus 20:17 into two commandments is a matter of interpretation. The text itself does not provide numbering or arrangement for the commandments. The Catholic Church's approach is similar to that of Jews and Lutherans, who also divide the commandment on covetousness into two. The Catechism of the Catholic Church, published in 1992, reiterates St. Augustine's teachings and changes "the sabbath" to "the Lord's day".
The Catholic Church's interpretation of the Ten Commandments has been a subject of debate, with some accusing the Church of changing the commandments to mislead its followers. However, the Church's division of the commandment on covetousness is not a recent development, and it is based on the teachings of St. Augustine, who sought to give proper focus to each commandment. The specific individuals responsible for the Catholic version are not known, but it is believed that the Church has the authority to provide an authoritative list, as reflected in the Catechism.
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The Catholic Church follows St. Augustine's division of the commandments
St. Augustine's division is considered better didactically because it teaches at one and the same time the ten commandments and their essence found in the commandment of love, which is twofold, and the origin of each in creation and procreation. This makes us understand more deeply their meaning. The Catholic Church has always condemned idolatry explicitly, both the worship of images and the exaltation of anything above God.
The Catholic Church received an unnumbered and undivided lump of fourteen-ish commandments, and it was up to them to formulate them into a list of ten. The Catholic Church believes that it alone has the authority to give God's people an authoritative list of the Ten Commandments. The division and numbering of the commandments have varied throughout history. The present catechism follows the division of the commandments established by St. Augustine, which has become traditional in the Catholic Church and is also that of the Lutheran confessions.
The Greek Fathers worked out a slightly different division, which is found in the Orthodox Churches and Reformed communities. The ten commandments are said to be "ten" in Exodus 34:28, but they are not numbered by the inspired authors of Sacred Scripture. The actual numbering of the commandments depends on which "you shall nots" are lumped together as one commandment and which ones are separated. The Catechism of the Catholic Church gives an authoritative list of the Ten Commandments.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the Catholic Church did not change the Ten Commandments. The Catholic Church condemns idolatry explicitly, both the worship of images and the exaltation of any thing above God.
The Catholic Church does not include a commandment forbidding the making of "graven images". However, this is not a change, as there was no established and universally accepted canon of "the Ten Commandments" at the time of Augustine's writing.
The Catholic Church separates Exodus 20:17, prohibiting covetousness, into two commandments, which is different from the Protestant listing that combines coveting a neighbour's wife and property into one commandment.
The Catholic Church largely follows St. Augustine's interpretation of the commandments, which aims to properly obey and venerate all the commandments of the Lord and to give each of the Ten its proper focus.
The numbering and arrangement of the commandments differ between the two. For example, the Catholic ninth commandment is the ninth commandment for Protestants, but their tenth commandment is the Catholic ninth and tenth commandments combined.
