Ten+Commandments

Hi guys! Please do the following:

1. Read Exodus Chapter 20, including all the footnotes in your study bible.

2. In your Book of Common Prayer, read "The Decalogue: Traditional" (p. 317-318) and "The Decalogue: Contemporary" (p. 350). a. Write down these commandments at they appear in the contemporary version. You will have a quiz on them at the next class meeting. I will ask you, "What are the ten commandments?" You will write them down for memory. b. Compare the text of the two versions. In small groups, discuss the significance of the differences. Write your answers to these questions: c. Do the differences in language matter? d. Do the differences call your attention to anything differently in one or the other style of writing?

3. In your Book of Common Prayer, read "Catechism: The Ten Commandments" (p 847 - 848). a. How does the Catechism summarize the responsibilities of the 10 commandments? b. The Decalogue and the Bible versions put the responsibilities in the negative, "Thou Shalt NOT." The Catechism puts the responsibilities in the positive, "You will ...." Explain the subtlties of the voicing. To 21st century teenagers, which is more meaningful, the negative or positive? Defend your position.

4. From Wikipedia, go to this entry on the Ten Commandments. [] a. Read especially these sections: All of Intro All of Sections 1, 2, and 3 Part of Section 4, in particular Section 4.5 which explains similarities of the laws of Islam to the laws of the Ten Commandments. b. Discuss the comparison of the Jewish / Christian 10 Commandments to the summary of the rules from the Quran. How alike or dissimilar do they appear to you? c. What major points of conflict do you see between the rules for life summarized here from each religion.

5. Now, have some fun. Click on the appropriate period link below. Find classical art, cartoon clips, or movie clips that illustrate important points of the 10 commandments. Post them / embed them on your period's page.

1st 10 Commandments Pics & Vids 3rd 10 Commandments Pics & Vids

6. Use Wikipedia and Encyclopedia Britanica to learn about the Code of Hammurabi. Post links on your period's page below. We will discuss in class on Tuesday. You will submit the following essay on Thursday, which pulls from the Ten Commandments and the Code of hammurabi.

[] Text of Hammurabi Code.

[] Interesting intro to Hammurabi code in first two paragraphs, then it gets tedious, and then at the end is a good summary of the codes.

1st Hammurabi Notes & Links 3rd Hammurabi Code Links & Notes

Some people, upon reading these instructions say, "But Mr. A, the 10 Commandments don't compare to the Hammurabi Code because they really don't spell out consequences if your break them, or what to do if you go wrong." Good point. Consider the Exodus chapters 20 through 23. It has more specific rules and consequences. A study bible with headings will give you the categories so you don't have to read every word to find the categories of rules that are interesting to you.