The Words That Created God

The list of the Ten Commandments from the story of Exodus is known to almost everyone, but its contents are largely taken for granted. We conjure up an image of Moses holding the carved tablets in his hands, leading his people to freedom across the desert. Yet there is far more to it. Compiled from ancient sources to suit the ambitions of an Israelite king of the seventh century BCE, the Ten Commandments resonate with us to this day. Yet they aren't what most of us think. Their wisdom goes back to well before the idea of a single god, to a time when man was discovering more elemental truths. Upon closer examination, in fact, it is more accurate to say that it is these words that in effect created God for the Israelites and posterity. Viewed not primarily as a religious document, but as a testament to the nature of being human, the Ten Commandments give unexpected insights into our modern world, a world where the Ten Commandments are violated every day . . . in the name of God. Though written by an atheist, this is not an anti-religious or anti-God book in the least. Rather it is an appreciation of the timeless truths that skeptics and the faithful accept and share, whether they realize it or not. This is a fascinating little book. It is well-written, entertaining, and full of serious food for thought without being too heavy. Unlike many books written by self-proclaimed atheists, it isn't at all a rant against religion. In fact the author spends most of his time talking about the nature of faith. His insights into the Ten Commandments are surprising, and he finds a great deal happening beneath the surface. The way he reorders them is logical and challenges a lot of assumptions. The book is just the right length and ends on an intriguing note, the tensions between faith and belief. All in all a very rewarding read!