CHRISTIANITY AND LAW - AN INTRODUCTION

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. 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 cvil courts William Bassett.