God's Ten Commandments, Yesterday, Today, Forever
When I chose this book to review, I should have looked more closely at the author's pedigree. Francis Nigel Lee, has more letters after his name, than I believed was humanly possible. I am very much in awe. This book is obviously written by a scholar for a scholar. As a non-scholar/ lay person, I will attempt to justly render a passable review of his work. Having said that, I did find Dr. Lee's arguments convincing, and the overarching theme is excellent. His quote by Martin Luther is central the book's premise: '"The Law of Nature," explains Luther, "is the Ten Commandments. It is written in the heart of every human being by creation. It was clearly and comprehensively put on Mount Sinai...It does not come from men, but is a created Law to which everyone who hears it cannot but consent."' (p. 30) The book is broken up in parts chronologically from Creation to present day. And in each section, Dr. Lee argues that from the beginning of time, the laws of the Ten Commandments have been in force and are a fundamental natural part of human kind. He contends that all societies from the beginning of time to present, have formed their governing laws upon the same precepts as The Ten Commandments: from Hammurabi's Law (which he argues was created after the handing down of the Ten Commandments and not before as scholars contend) to The Constitution of the United States and beyond. "Ancient Greek, Ancient Roman, and also Ancient Celtic law were all formed much later than the Mosaic Decalogue. Remarkably, however, they all show traces of the Pre-Mosaic Decalogue - as also do the Ancient Law Codes of India and China, etc." (p. 40) Further, (quoting Calvin) "..all Gentiles alike...make laws to punish adultery, theft, and murder; and commend good faith in commercial transactions and contracts. In this way, they prove their knowledge...that adultery, theft, and murder are evils; and that honesty is to be esteemed...There is, therefore, a certain natural knowledge of the Law..." (p. 66)
I found most of the arguments presented compelling; however, some of the individual points for each time period were a bit of a stretch. For example, in Chapter 4, "Unfallen Man and the Decalogue", the argument presented is that "To be able to subdue the whole Earth, it was necessary for Adam to marry and to raise children - to help him do this (Genesis 1:26-28, 2:18: cf. the Seventh Commandment)." (p.16) I fail to see how simply because he had a wife and children, why that would enforce the 7th Commandment (you shall not commit adultery) when, presumably, Adam had no one with whom to commit adultery. There is nothing in the text that would imply that Adam knew or didn't know whether adultery was acceptable or not. Especially when the society of that time became polygamist in nature, with several wives, concubines, handmaidens, etc.
Nevertheless, despite a few minor, debatable points, the overall argument is made and the final paragraphs are vital. Dr. Lee addresses the reader and encourages him/her to take to heart the Commandments and live them out in his/her life. That if you really love Jesus, you will delight in the Law and keep them in your heart.
This book was, admittedly, difficult for me to chew through. However, if you are looking for a scholarly work to back up research, or for deeper reading into the universality and foundational principals of the Ten Commandments, then this book is key.
God's Ten Commandments, Yesterday, Today, Forever
by Rev. Dr. Adv. Francis Nigel Lee, L.L.B., D.Jur., D.C.L., Ph.D., Th.D.
available from Nordskog Publishing $11.95
Reviewer Biography
Koni Gould is a homeschool mother of three, who lives in Phoenix, Arizona. She enjoys reading, baking and spending way too much time on Facebook.
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End Date: 10/12/2011
