On Thursday, 21 October 2021 at 1400 UTC/GMT, Dr. Daniel Block, Gunther H. Knoedler Professor Emeritus of Old Testament at Wheaton College (USA), will explore the Decalogue in the Hebrew Scriptures as a “Bill of Rights.” INCHE is pleased to partner with the Society of Christian Scholars in considering its implications for contemporary academics serving in pluralistic universities.

For Christians worldwide, the Decalogue is probably the best-known text in the First Testament. Many of us have memorized it; and theologians often declare that although other law codes in the Pentateuch have no bearing on Christians, the Ten Commandments function as a universal moral or natural law, uniquely binding us as they circumscribe a way of life.

Considering its ancient Near Eastern context, some might argue that the Decalogue is the world’s first publicly promulgated “Bill of Rights”. However, unlike modern bills of rights, rather than guaranteeing people’s rights, the Decalogue seeks to rein in the propensity to abuse authority and trample on the rights of those in near-by households and neighborhoods.

In light of Jesus’ interpretation of the Decalogue, saying that “You shall demonstrate love for YHWH your God and for your neighbor as you do for yourself”, what might be the implications for Christian living? What might be the implications for people of other faith traditions?

In preparation for the webinar, read Dr. Block’s essay “The Decalogue in the Hebrew Scriptures” in The Decalogue Through the Centuries (WJK Press, 2012).

Join this conversation about the Decalogue and Christian ethics by registering at: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_1mc2RmiXRyyXaA7v77QEog.