Ten Steps on Freedom Road
In the Autumn of 2019 Resource Publications released Dr. John Badertscher's book Ten Steps on Freedom Road. Subtitled "Why the Commandments are Good News," the book offers fresh and timely new takes on the 10 Commandments, and on the shape and nature of human freedom itself. We have serialized this book into a series of podcasts which will be released weekly over the fall of 2020, all of which will be made available on this page. Paper copies of the book can be ordered through the publisher, with an attractively priced e-book version available on Amazon. Of course, you can also contact a regular brick-and-mortar bookseller and have them order a copy for you.
Episode 15 - The final episode in our serialization of Dr. John Badertscher's book Ten Steps on Freedom Road: Why the Commandments are Good News. In this episode John reads the book's postscript - "Faith and Freedom".
Episode 14 - In this episode John reads the fourteenth chapter - "The Christ and the Commandments" - which considers the way in which these ancient commandments from the Hebrew scriptures still hold real significance for Christians in the 21st Century.
Episode 13 - In this episode John reads the thirteenth chapter - "Freedom of Gratitude" - which explores the commandment prohibiting coveting.
Episode 12 - In this episode John reads the twelfth chapter - "Freedom for Friendship" - which explores the commandment "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour."
Episode 11 - In this episode John reads the eleventh chapter - "Freedom for Ownership" - which explores the commandment "You shall not steal."
Episode 10 - In this episode John reads the tenth chapter - "Freedom for Intimacy" - which explores the commandment "You shall not commit adultery."
Episode 9 - In this episode John reads the ninth chapter - "Freedom for Life Together" - which explores the commandment "You shall not murder."
Episode 8 - In this episode John reads the eighth chapter - "Freedom to be Yourself" - which explores the commandment to honour your father and mother.
Episode 7 - In this episode John reads the seventh chapter - "Freedom to Rest and Enjoy" - which explores the commandment on the importance of Sabbath practice.
Episode 6 - In this episode John reads the sixth chapter - "Freedom for Listening" - which explores the commandment against making wrongful use of God's name.
Episode 5 - In this episode John reads the fifth chapter - "Freedom for Imagination" - which explores some of the ways in which the matter of idolatry is not one confined to the ancient world.
Episode 4 - In this episode John reads the fourth chapter - "A Faithful Atheism" - and quite happily challenges some of our assumptions around that term.
Episode 3 - In this episode John reads the third chapter - "The Big Picture" - offering a sweeping overview of the whole of the biblical story in just over 13 minutes.
Episode 2 - In this episode the author reads three brief, introductory chapters from his book: the Preface, followed by “The Shape of Freedom” and “Law and Story”.
Episode 1 - An introduction to John Badertscher and his book, by way of a conversation shared with Jamie Howison.
John Badertscher has been a Methodist minister, the circulation manager of the Chicago Journalism Review, an immigrant to Canada, a professor of Religious Studies at the University of Winnipeg, the official agent for a successful candidate for the Manitoba Legislature, a member of the General Council of the United Church of Canada, and a volunteer at the drop-in centre of the West Broadway Community Ministry. Currently he is husband to Lynn and a father, step-father and grandfather. He is an active member of saint benedict’s table, and enjoys living in downtown Winnipeg among some of the world’s most interesting people.