by Hal Eaton » Mon Sep 01, 2014 3:10 pm
I have appreciated the comments above on my book. Perhaps to inspire further interest in the effort, please read the following comments . . .
" Moses, the Ten Commandments, and Me" has an appropriate sub-title--"An Unauthorized Biography." It is not a devotional book, seeking to inspire renewed respect for the commandments, but is aimed at several problems with the usual routine of sermonizing on the topic.
One retired Episcopal priest read it and offered, "There are ten sermons in this book." (I thouht there were at least 15 ...)
First, there is an analysis of how the Bible is regarded by the public, and the difficulties of language, translation, and decisions
(or opinions) regarding Biblical inerrancy. There follows a dissection of the usual attitudes regarding revelations from God. Then comes a review of Moses's education prior to his verbalization of God's revelation, together with the fact that he must have been home-schooled in his Jewish faith. Noteworthy is his willingness to assign capital punishment to those who "broke the law;" he probably had
no perception of an after-life with the options of Heaven or Hell; early or untimely death was the penalty for most disobedience. Note, too, that Paul, in Romans I:29-32, perhaps before further knowledge in his new-found faith had ameliorated his theology, suggested death as the punishment for all sorts of ignoble (and/or sinful) conduct.
Each of the Ten Commandments is re-assessed in the light of centuries of debate, probing, application, and (perhaps) denigration and debasement of their intent and design. I worried about these laws for 50 years before attempting to re-word them.
Hey, it's only 104 pages, and can be read in one sitting. Try it; I think you'll like it. If you choose not to use the suggested sermons, it would make a good source for a Bible Study segment.
It is error only, and not truth, that shrinks from inquiry. -- Thomas Paine