Christianity and law : an introduction / edited by John Witte, Jr., Frank S. Alexander.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Witte, John, Jr., 1959-

Alexander, Frank S., 1952-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Christianity and law.

Christianity and politics.

Christian sociology.

Physical Description:

xvi, 343 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

Cambridge ; New York : Cambridge University Press, 2008.

Summary:

What impact has Christianity had on the law from its beginnings to the present day? This introduction explores the main legal teachings of Western Christianity, set out in the texts and traditions of Scripture and theology, philosophy and jurisprudence. It takes up the weightier matters of the law that Christianity has profoundly shaped - justice and mercy, rule and equity, discipline and love - as well as more technical topics of canon law, natural law, and state law. Some of these legal creations were wholly original to Christianity. Others were converted from Jewish and classical traditions. Still others were reformed by Renaissance humanists and Enlightenment philosophers. But whether original or reformed, these Christian teachings on law, politics, and society have made and can continue to make fundamental contributions to modern law in the West and beyond.

Contents:

1 Law and religion in Judaism / David Novak 33

2 Law in early Christianity / Luke Timothy Johnson 53

3 Western canon law / R.H. Helmholz 71

4 Natural law and natural rights / Brian Tierney 89

5 Conscientious objection, civil disobedience, and resistance / Kent Greenawalt 105

6 The Christian sources of general contract law / Harold J. Berman 125

7 Proof, procedure, and evidence / Mathias Schmoeckel 143

8 Family law and Christian jurisprudence / Don S. Browning 163

9 Poverty, charity, and social welfare / Brian S. Pullan 185

10 Property and Christian theology / Frank S. Alexander 205

11 Christian love and criminal punishment / Jeffrie G. Murphy 219

12 Christianity and human rights / Michael J. Perry 237

13 Religious liberty / David Little 249

14 Modern church law / Norman Doe 271

15 Religious organizations and the state: the laws of ecclesiastical polity and the civil courts / William W. Bassett 293

16 Christianity and the large-scale corporation / David A. Skeel, Jr. 311.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

ISBN:

9780521697491

0521697492

9780521874625

0521874629

OCLC:

213457301