Christianity and Law: An Introduction

Coeditor, Christianity and Law: An Introduction (Cambridge/New York: Cambridge University Press, 2008) (with Frank S. Alexander) (Chinese translation by Paul Lui, 2014)
Description

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.

  • The only comprehensive introduction to Western Christianity and Western law available in English
  • An excellent text for classroom use
  • An integrated and systematic study of this burgeoning field of interdisciplinary study
Table of Contents

  • Introduction – John Witte, Jr.
  1. Law and religion in Judaism – David Novak
  2. Law in early Christianity – Luke Timothy Johnson
  3. Western canon law – R. H. Helmholz
  4. Natural law and natural rights – Brian Tierney
  5. Conscientious objection, civil disobedience, and resistance – Kent Greenawalt
  6. The Christian sources of general contract law – Harold J. Berman
  7. Proof, procedure, and evidence – Mathias Schmoeckel
  8. Family law and Christian jurisprudence – Don S. Browning
  9. Poverty, charity and social welfare – Brian S. Pullan
  10. Property and Christian theology – Frank S. Alexander
  11. Christian love and criminal punishment – Jeffrie G. Murphy
  12. Christianity and human rights – Michael J. Perry
  13. Religious liberty – David Little
  14. Modern church law – Norman Doe
  15. Religious organizations and the state: the laws of ecclesiastical polity and the civil courts – William Bassett
  16. Christianity and the large scale corporation –​ David A. Skeel, Jr.
Reviews

“The editors are to be congratulated in bringing together within a single cover material which is authoritative, incisive and provocative. I anticipate that this volume will soon find itself on the bookshelves of law school libraries and theological colleges alike, and it will readily take its place as the first port of call on reading lists across a broad range of subjects.”
-- Ecclesiology

“This volume provides an authoritative introduction to some of the legal teachings of Western Christian tradition - as set out in the texts and traditions of Scripture and theology, philosophy and jurisprudence. ... there will be few readers who do not come away having learned more and having been inspired to think more deeply on the past and continuing impact of Christianity on the law.”
-- Ecclesiastical Law Journal
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Chinese Translation 2014