The Ten Commandments Project

This week at In The Past Lane, the podcast about history and why it matters, we look at the fascinating history of the Ten Commandments in the U.S. You might think that a history of the Ten Commandments would be situated in Israel, but it turns out that it’s a very American story. In fact, over the last 150 years Americans have found many imaginative ways to embrace, reimagine, and repurpose the Ten Commandments. To learn more about this story, I’ll talk with historian Jenna Weissman Joselit about her book, Set In Stone: America's Embrace of the Ten Commandments. Among the many things we'll discuss:  The great Ten Commandments Hoax of 1860. How Americans came to embrace the Ten Commandments as an icon of religious devotion. How the Ten Commandments have served as an emblem of order and stability in times of wrenching social change in US history. Why Jewish Americans after World War II promoted the idea of an American Judeo-Christian tradition with the Ten Commandments as its iconic expression. How some late-19th century Americans supported a proposal to make knowledge of the Ten Commandments a requirement of US citizenship and a proposal to create a national holiday to honor the Ten Commandments. How the famous 1956 Cecil B. DeMille film, “The Ten Commandments,” helped promote the idea of erecting Ten Commandments monuments in the US. How Americans have come to use the Ten Commandments as a template for everything from the Ten Commandments of Safe Driving to the Ten Commandments of Healthy Relationships. Why monuments of the Ten Commandments have become the focus of so many First Amendment controversies. About Jenna Joselit Weissman – website https://history.columbian.gwu.edu/jenna-weissman-joselit Further Reading Jenna Weissman Joselit about her book, Set In Stone: America's Embrace of the Ten Commandments (Oxford, 2017). Katherine Orrison, Written in Stone: Making Cecil B. DeMille's Epic, The Ten Commandments (1999). Dr. Laura Schlessinger and Stewart Vogel, The Ten Commandments: The Significance of God’s Laws in Everyday Life (1998).   Music for This Episode Jay Graham, ITPL Intro (JayGMusic.com) Kevin McCleod, “Impact Moderato” (Free Music Archive) Lee Rosevere, “Going Home” (Free Music Archive) David Szesztay, “Joyful Meeting” (Free Music Archive) The Bell, “I Am History” (Free Music Archive) Production Credits Executive Producer: Lulu Spencer Technical Advisors: Holly Hunt and Jesse Anderson Podcasting Consultant: Darrell Darnell of Pro Podcast Solutions Photographer: John Buckingham Graphic Designer: Maggie Cellucci Website by: ERI Design Legal services: Tippecanoe and Tyler Too Social Media management: The Pony Express Risk Assessment: Little Big Horn Associates Growth strategies: 54 40 or Fight © Snoring Beagle International, 2017

Pastor John continues to look at the Westminster Shorter Catechism:Quest. 42. What is the sum of the ten commandments?Ans. 42. The sum of the ten commandments is, To love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our strength, and with all our mind; and our neighbor as ourselves.(1)(1) Matt. 22:37-40.Quest. 43. What is the preface to the ten commandments?Ans. 43. The preface to the ten commandments is in these words, I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.(1)(1) Exod. 20:2.Quest. 44. What doth the preface to the ten commandments teach us?Ans. 44. The preface to the ten commandments teaches us, That because God is the Lord, and our God, and Redeemer, therefore we are bound to keep all his commandments.(1)(1) Luke 1:74-75; I Pet. 1:15-19.

The Ten Commandments:  https://www.loyolapress.com/catholic-resources/scripture-and-tradition/catholic-basics/catholic-beliefs-and-practices/the-ten-commandments/

Many people know about the ten commandments. But in this digital age where secularism and self are the predominant factors, many view the ten commandments as an antiquated set of laws for a bygone era. Are the ten commandments still relevant and in force today or did Christ and the apostle Paul nail them to the cross long ago?