A native of Philadelphia, Brother John joined the
Community of Taizé, France in 1974 where he spends much of his time giving Bible introductions
to the young adults who come there for week-long meetings. The present work is a text for one such
course. In the 1980's he was part of a small
group of Taizé brothers living in the Hell's Kitchen area of Manhattan, and he frequently
travels throughout the United States for meetings and retreats. His several writings on Scripture
and spirituality have been translated into over ten languages. Among his many books, we are proud
to have published
The Adventure of Holiness: Biblical Foundations and Present Day Perspectives (Alba House,
1999), and At the Wellspring:
Jesus and the Samaritan Woman (Alba House, 2001).
Reviews
A native of Philadelphia, Brother John joined the Community of Taizé, France, in 1974, where he spends much of his time
giving Bible introductions to the young adults who come there for week-long meetings. This book is a text for one of his
courses. He rereads the texts on the commandments, or the "Ten Words," from Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5 in their historical
contexts. He concludes with a discussion of Jesus' use of the commandments in the Sermon on the Mount and how they are still
valid for followers of Jesus. --Theology Digest Book Survey, Spring 2005
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Each year, the brothers of Taizé welcome thousands of the young and not-so-young to their community in the hills of
Burgunday. The week-long meetings include thrice daily prayer with the community. Bible introductions given by the brothers,
and small group discussions among the international participants, some believers and some seekers, who share in the simple
lifestyle of the community. Reading the Ten Commandments Anew: Towards a Land of Freedom grew out of a set of Bible
introductions by the author, Brother John of Taizé, who proposes that we "reread" the Ten Commandments "as if they had
something new to tell us." Such a rereading, if acted upon, he is convinced will liberate and create a people of God. The
expression "Ten Commandments" appears to be an English interpretation of the Hebrew 'asheret ha-debarim that literally
means "ten words." Brother John, therefore, uses the capitalized phrase TEN WORDS or the singular WORD throughout the book,
a helpful reminder. Ten chapters cover each of the WORDS, with the ninth and tenth combined into one chapter and a final
chapter dealing with the teaching of Jesus as it pertains to the WORDS. Each WORD chapter begins with the appropriate biblical
passage(s) from Exodus and/or Deuteronomy followed by a commentary that draws on other texts from both the Hebrew and
Christian scriptures. Several chapters are worthy of special comment. In the interpretation of the THIRD WORD, Brother John
uses the lived experience of the Taizé Community to encourage reflection on the meaning of the Sabbath and on ways to
experience God in our lives. Reading and reflecting on this chapter is like a mini-visit to Taizé without the meditative
prayer and music. The rereading of the FOURTH WORD on honoring parents reminds us that the TEN WORDS were written for adults.
Brother John focuses on life as a gift from God "mediated through relationships with our fellow human beings." The rereading
explores the importance of parents to our existence and how we pass on what we have received. This well-written book could be
used in a number of ways. The book could easily enhance lessons on Genesis 1-3. The book also lends itself well to discussions
on what it means to be human, on the relationship between the individual and society, on the meaning of freedom and
responsibility, and on social justice issues. Since it was developed in conversation with young people at Taizé, it is
suitable as a text for an undergraduate introductory religion class. --Mary J. Brown in
Horizons, the Journal of the College Theology Society, Villanova University, Spring 2006
" Brother John claims that the Ten Commandments are not as familiar to us as we might think. To this end, he sets
out to read them anew. He compares the "ten words" as found in both Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5, pointing out their
similarities and their differences. He also shows how they spring from covenant commitment, first God's commitment toward
humankind and then humankind's toward God. True to the original meaning of Old Testament Law, Brother John presents these
"words" as guidlines for fashioning lives of integrity, as signposts along the way, as boundaries within which to live
faithfully our covenant commitment to God. Meant initially for the young adults who spend some time with the Taizé
community, these reflections will appeal to a much broader readership. Not-so-young adults will also benefit from them."
--Dianne Bergant, C.S.A. in The Bible Today, January/February
2005
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