The Eighth Commandment (Sadler's Church Teacher's Manual)

The Eighth Commandment (Sadler's Church Teacher's Manual)

The Eighth Commandment is Section XLI of The Church Teacher's Manual of Christian Instruction, Michael Ferrebee Sadler's 1872 expansion of the Church Catechism in question-and-answer form.

Summary

Sadler reads the commandment against stealing as a call to honesty, restitution, diligence, and respect for another's goods. The section includes both direct theft and indirect forms of injustice.

Sadler's Text

Sadler's catechetical treatment of this topic is anchored in the statement, "Thou shalt not steal." He further explains the section by saying, "Robbery, theft, and every kind of dishonesty."

Theological Themes

• Honesty
• Restitution
• Property and justice
• Labor and generosity

Scripture References

The following references are representative biblical texts used or implied in this section of Sadler's catechetical exposition:

• Exodus 20:15
• Psalm 37:21
• 1 Corinthians 6:9-10
• Ephesians 4:28
• Mark 10:19
• Romans 13:8

Anglican Context

This section belongs to Sadler's treatment of the baptismal promise to keep God's commandments. It is connected with the Decalogue in the Church Catechism and with the use of the commandments in Anglican moral and liturgical instruction. Sadler's treatment reflects nineteenth-century Church of England catechesis and should be read as a historical Anglican source alongside current provincial formularies and catechetical resources.

See Also

• The Church Teacher's Manual of Christian Instruction
• Ten Commandments
• Church Catechism
• Anglican Ethics
• Book of Common Prayer