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Scots' Church

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Francis Macnab & the Ten Commandments

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A poster published and displayed by Scots' Church in response to a poster from St. Michael's Uniting Church describing the Ten Commandments as "one of the most negative documents ever written".

In the 16 September 2008, Dr Macnab of St Michael's Uniting Church launched what he called a "new faith" with a $120,000 advertising campaign including posters reading, "The Ten Commandments, one of the most negative documents ever written."[1][2]

The Session of Scots' Church published a reply defending the Ten Commandments from "[t]he most incredible publicity war... being waged against the historic Christian faith."[3] They installed a poster outlining the influence of the Ten Commandments on their Russell Street frontage facing towards St. Michael's. The text reads:

The Ten Commandments: the most positive and influential document ever written
More than 3000 years of history that engender and promote...

  • respect for the Divine Creator, which saves us from the arrogance of our humanity as we enjoy and make use of his creation
  • respect for the Divine character, which saves us from misplaced trust in the frivolous and transient gods of our age
  • respect for the name of God, which teaches us humility and service
  • respect for the spiritual nurture of our soul, because we are more than an accident of nature
  • respect for family and especially parents
  • respect for life, seeking to nurture and value all people, including the weak, the marginalised and the displaced
  • respect for our spouse, for the sanctity of marriage and for the value of commitment
  • respect for property and the rights of other people, taking nothing to ourselves that is not ours
  • respect for the truth, including the value of rational, scientific enquiry as well as the gospel truth about God and his Son Jesus Christ
  • respect for personal integrity and the purity of our hearts’ desires[3]

In an address on 5 October Dr Macnab defended his comments saying, "While I have no intention of denigrating the Ten Commandments as a sacred symbol of the Jewish Torah and the Old Covenant, I say they are negative."[4] He gave 8 reasons why he believes the Ten Commandments to be negative, and outlined his alternative 10 Commandments, which he described as "positive, plausible and powerful".[4]

References

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  1. ^ Barney Zwartz (2008-09-16). "New faith throws out the Ten Commandments". The Age. Fairfax. Retrieved 2008-09-26.
  2. ^ Hall, Cheryl (2008-10-05). "Controversial clergyman advertises his new faith on billboards". Stateline Victoria. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 2008-10-10.
  3. ^ a b "The Ten Commandments". Scots' Church website. The Session of Scots' Church. Retrieved 2008-10-10.
  4. ^ a b Francis Macnab (2008-10-05). "The New Faith and 10 New Commandments". St Michael's Uniting Church. Retrieved October 25, 2008.