The Ten commandments form one of the "classics" of Western culture, authoritative in both Hebrew and Christian Scriptures. They come to us from a distant past, and Thorwald Lorenzen offers thoughtful reflections on their meaning in today's tumultuous world. He contends that it is important to hear God's invitation to an alternative lifestyle: "you shall not kill," "you shall not commit adultery," "you shall not covet," as God "speaking" ten words to liberate His people from oppression. Grounded in God's liberating "yes," the Commandments are neither laws nor rules, but elements in a culture of freedom in which people are invited to celebrate life. "Combining exegetical acumen with sharp theological insight, Lorenzen has produced a fresh and deeply profound meditation on the Ten Words of the Torah. Filled with historical and contemporary illustrations, Lorenzen proves that the Decalogue is as relevant, practical, challenging, and disturbing today as ever. Highly readable yet informed by a lifetime of scholarly study, Lorenzen's book will be valuable to pastors and the laity and would make an excellent supplemental classroom text." - Kent Blevins, Professor, Department of Religious Studies and Philosophy, Gardner-Webb University "Here is the most careful and relevant study of the Ten Commandments available. Biblically grounded, theologically astute, Lorenzen's penetrating treatment of each commandment results in a mature, global ethic for Christians." - D. Dixon Sutherland, Professor of Religious Studies, Director, Christian Ethics Institute, Stetson University " 'Toward a Culture of Freedom' is a superb ethical treatise based on the Ten Commandments. Deeply grounded in scriptures and equipped with an expansive and compassionate experience of today's world, Professor Lorenzen will help readers to discern some solid rocks to stand on in an era when all human foundations seem to be quivering." - E. Glenn Hinson, Professor Emeritus, Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond Thorwald Lorenzen is Professor of Theology at Charles Sturt University, Canberra; a guest lecturer at St. Mark's Theological Centre and Whitley College, University of Melbourne; and a Principal Researcher within the Public and Contextual Theology Strategic Research Centre, Charles Sturt University. He is author of 'Resurrection and Discipleship: Interpretive Models, Biblical Re?ections, Theological Consequences' (1995 and 2003) and 'Resurrection - Discipleship - Justice: Af?rming the Resurrection of Jesus Christ Today' (2003).
