A DOUBTER'S GUIDE TO THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

Saturday, July 23, 2016

A DOUBTER'S GUIDED TO THE
TEN COMMANDMENTS
How, For Better Or Worse, Our Ideas About
The Good Life Come From Moses And Jesus
By John Dickson

OVERVIEW: In A Doubter's Guide to the Ten Commandments, bestselling author John Dickson explores how these ten ancient instructions have not only changed our world but show us what the Good Life looks like as well. Whether or not one believes in the Bible, these instructions open up a window to the Western world and on our own souls.

AUTHOR: John Dickson (PhD, Ancient History) is an Honorary Fellow of the Department of Ancient History at Macquarie University, Founding Director of the Centre for Public Christianity, and Senior Minister of  St. Andrew's Roseville. The author of more than a dozen books, he is the host of two major historical documentaries for Australian television, and is a busy public speaker, university lecturer, and media commentator.

MY REVIEW: This is a good book about an important subject. It is well written but not an "easy" read. It is practical but scholarly and therefore needs to be read slowly and meditated upon. "Skeptics and believers alike will find fresh insights and new topics of discussion, and, quite possibly, renewed bones of contention as they take a deeper look at the Ten Commandments that have helped shape our world."

Dickson explains each of the Ten Commandments in their original Hebrew context. And then he also explains how Mose's commandments were "transposed" by Jesus into a melody being sung even today. We still turn to them to discuss what constitutes the Good. This book should be of value to your whether you are a believer or a doubter. It is an interesting account of the influence of the Ten Commandments in moral decisions. The book offers inspiration for the Good life itself. Dickson wrote the book hoping to show that this most ancient of Western traditions is as current as Google and Wikipedia—more so. I think he accomplished that. I recommend this book to all who are interested in morality and genuine ethical freedom.

(I received this book from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for a fair and honest review.)