James Gustafson proposes two perspectives for understanding the New Testament: revealed morality

and revealed reality. The revealed morality perspective involves seeking to determine if the text
"reveals" a new code of ethics by which individuals should live. This perspective focuses on identifying
specific ethical codes directly revealed in the scripture. On the other hand, the revealed reality
perspective suggests that our lives and world are illuminated by the Gospels, and we formulate our code
of ethics through reason, experience, and tradition in the light of God's revelation. These two
perspectives offer different approaches to understanding the moral teachings of the New Testament.

The historical perspective on the use of the Ten Commandments in moral theology is presented, tracing
the evolution of moral manuals from the fifth to the twentieth century. The document highlights the
shift from the penitentials to confessional manuals and then to moral manuals, with a focus on the Ten
Commandments as a moral foundation in various denominational movements. The subsequent sections
delve into the application and interpretation of the first, third, and fourth commandments, offering
insights on their original meaning and their relevance in contemporary contexts.

They became a staple of the moral tradition in every major denominational movement of the sixteenth
century, including Roman Catholics, Martin Luther's followers, and John Calvin's followers. The
commandments were recognized as a biblically based moral foundation, emphasizing both prescriptions
and prohibitions, the priority of interior disposition over exterior action, and the importance of our
relationship with God and with one another. The Council of Trent used the Ten Commandments as the
basis of moral instruction, repudiating the primacy accorded to the seven deadly sins. The
commandments were also incorporated into catechetical instruction and new moral manuals, marking a
break with the previous focus on sin and emphasizing the importance of the commandments in
analyzing contemporary cases. The use of the commandments in moral theology evolved over time,
reflecting a shift in focus and a recognition of their significance in shaping moral thought and practice.

The document provides insights into the original application of the third commandment in the early
church. It explains that in the Old Testament, the commandment primarily appeared as a command to
imitate God, who rested on the Sabbath. Interestingly, the early Christians did not rest on Saturday, the
Sabbath, because they were distinguishing themselves from the Jewish people. Instead, they observed
Sunday as a celebration of Jesus's death, Resurrection, and glory. The early church encouraged
participation in the Eucharist and the divine office without invoking the third commandment. The
document also highlights that the early church resisted Sabbath observance, and Sunday worship was
not originally considered a perfect match for the commandment. This historical context sheds light on
the evolution of the application of the third commandment in the early church and its significance in
shaping Christian practices.

the document explores the relationship between the language of the commandments and the concept
of natural rights, drawing on historical evidence to demonstrate the church's concern for articulating
and defending the rights of individual persons. It emphasizes the rational, responsible, and communal
origins of personal natural rights and the church's recognition of the importance of recognizing and
articulating the rights of its members as a means to attain justice and the common good.