COMMUNICATING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE BIBLICAL TEN COMMANDMENTS IN THE EVOLUTION OF MODERN LEGAL SYSTEMS

Abstract

The Ten Commandments is the character and transcript of God. He revealed how man must relate with Him and his fellow man in the law so that man can safely dwell in society. This consciousness, well imprinted, published and communicated on the Decalogue affirmed the creed and agreement between the Creator and man for the purpose of trust and harmonious co-existence.  God’s ideal society was at once a moral cum religious society. The prelude to the law gave the real reasons of ownership of the universe, God’s selection of Israel out of many nations, reminded Israel of their bondage, His salvation from slavery and therefore justified to give these laws and expected their unconditional obedience and performance of the Ten Commandments. The Ten Commandments was the core of God’s relationship with Israel. Obedience to it will produce peace and God’s providence while disobedience resulted in God’s withdrawal and consequently punishments for sin. The choices and consequences were understood from the onset and man was squarely responsible for his actions and inactions. The paper is concluded using doctrinal method of library research. The paper examined the historical evolution and contributions of Ten Commandments to modern legal systems. The paper found that the Ten Commandments and Christian teachings published via many channels and well-read have greatly influenced the world’s legal systems including the Nigerian legal system as a sui generis regime for the preservation of man and orderly environment.

KEYWORDS:

Ten Commandments, Publishing, Law, contemporary legal system, Nigerian legal system