The First and Final Commandment

by Laurence B. Brown

A powerful Islamic challenge to conventional Judeo-Christian theology, The First and Final Commandment combines this best-selling author's two books, MisGod'ed and God'ed, within one cover. Written in a clear, fluid style, The First and Final Commandment incorporates common sense with scholarly analysis to demand reappraisal of the Judeo-Christian religions. Beginning with an examination of the internal conflicts that fracture the metaphysical worlds of Judaism and Christianity from within, this work concludes by leading the audience down the continuity in revelation from Judaism to Christianity and, in the end, to orthodox (Sunni) Islam. Authored by a prominent, internationally-respected Western convert to the Islamic religion, the content is provocative and thought-provoking, intelligent and inspiring, and a joy to read. The First and Final Commandment enters the melee of two thousand years of religious debate with clarity of vision, accuracy of detail, and common sense conclusions which boldly assert what it truly means to be a person of God.

Genres: Judaism, Christianity, Religion, Nonfiction, Islam

564 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2004

About the author

A product of Christian-American ancestry dating back to the year 1677, up until his conversion to Islam in April of 1994, Dr. Brown easily could have passed as an example of a man who lived the stereotypical American dream. A graduate from two Ivy League universities with subspecialty training in ophthalmology, Dr. Brown served as a respected ophthalmologist in the U.S. Air Force for a period of eight years.

Midway through his Air Force career, Dr. Brown's ideal American family' included a wife, two children, and the requisite two cars and a dog. His country home was crowded with the full array of comforts and toys which clutter the lives of those preoccupied with materialism. Yet Dr. Brown ended up sacrificing virtually everything he had worked for when he faced a religious conviction that overturned his lifelong priorities.

Following a personal miracle through which the life of his daughter was saved, Dr. Brown redirected his focus to religious study in an attempt to make good on a promise made to God. In the process, Dr. Brown followed the chain of revelation through the Abrahamic religions from Judaism to Christianity and, in the end, to Islam. It is the result of that study that he relates in this series of thought-provoking books. In the same manner that Dr. Brown's choice of religion confronted his slice of the American dream, so too do his religious conclusions challenge the Western religous establishment.

Laurence Brown received his B.A. from Cornell University, his MD from Brown University Medical School, and his ophthalmology residency training at George Washington University Hospital in Washington, DC. His immediate family presently consists of his wife, three daughters, and an ever changing assortment of parrots and hamsters.

Reviews

[Malina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book takes an in depth look at various aspects of the Abrahamic religions. The author offers a history of the evolution of faith. He then goes on to take a look at the nature of God, and monotheism. The book also offers some insights on how the belief that Jesus Christ as the son of God is problematic. My favorite part of the book was the part that explores the origins of scripture. The book also offers a fascinating look at the ways in which scriptures have been passed on. Any reader stands to gain from this book, whether the gain is new information of just a fresh perspective the something already known.

[Oana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book came into my life when I was searching for answers to questions about the faith I was born with, and when the answers from my spiritual adviser did little to nothing to actually make sense, but bring more questions to life. This book make everything be clear and help me find my way.

[Susan Janke · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book makes an attempt to compare and contrast Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. While there is a lot of good information, the author is clearly biased toward Islam - and it detracts from the overall quality of this book.

[Ietrio · Rating 1 out of 5]

Here is a guy who makes his own laws, starting with the first: to search something. It's just ”something” because god works in mysterious ways so anyone can be right or wrong to feed the confirmation bias of the audience.

[Hafsah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Logical, clear and backed with evidence from the texts, this book is invaluable for seekers of truth and purpose.

[Mohammad Rayyan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly mind-awakening, I do recommend this book to all demographics (Muslims, Christians, Jews and Atheists).

[Noor Saadeh · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Must Read to understand the distortions present in Christianity and other revelations in the Bible. The author is at times sarcastic which is the sole drawback that may turn off the non Muslim, and perhaps Muslim reader as well.

[Naveed Shams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing book. It explores all Abrahamic religions and provides logical explanations.