MANDATE TO HUMANITY

The sub title of this book: ""An Inquiry into the History and Meaning of the Ten Commandments and Their Relation to Contemporary Culture"" indicates that is no superficial exposition of the Ten Commandments. Dr. Poteat is rather concerned with the moral and ethical principles embodied in the Decalogue, their development throughout subsequent history and their relevance to contemporary life. The author believes that the commandments constituted a mandate not only to Moses but to humanity in all ages and especially today when man's moral principles are under attack from materialism within and from communism without, Dr. Poteat is presently the pastor of the Pullen Memorial Baptist church in Haleigh, N.C., but he has been a missionary in China and president of Colgate- Rochester Divinity School. His approach is that of the scholar; his aim is that of the pastor. A thoughtful, but not easily read book.