Christianity and Family Law
An Introduction

A comprehensive analysis of Christian influences on Western family law from the first century to the present day.

John Witte, Jr (Edited by), Gary S. Hauk (Edited by)

9781108401197, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 12 October 2017

485 pages, 27 b/w illus.
22.9 x 15.4 x 2.5 cm, 0.7 kg

'The authors and editors seek to provide both legal and historical frameworks for the development of family law, stressing the relationship between Christian teachings and various topics. Most are experts on the personages discussed, frequently noting that their contributions are taken from larger works. Almost every chapter reveals new insights, and sometimes the figures themselves are novel (at least to this reader), even though their thoughts may creep into the modern discourse on the family. The editors seek to balance the various divisions in contemporary Christianity and largely succeed. They also include a variety of disciplines.' Margaret F. Brinig, Journal of Church and State

The Western tradition has always cherished the family as an essential foundation of a just and orderly society, and thus accorded it special legal and religious protection. Christianity embraced this teaching from the start, and many of the basics of Western family law were shaped by the Christian theologies of nature, sacrament, and covenant. This volume introduces readers to the enduring and evolving Christian norms and teachings on betrothals and weddings; marriage and divorce; women's and children's rights; marital property and inheritance; and human sexuality and intimate relationships. The chapters are authoritatively written but accessible to college and graduate students and scholars, as well as clergy and laity. While alert to the hot button issues of sexual liberty today, the contributing authors let the historical figures speak for themselves about what Christianity has and can contribute to the protection and guidance of our most intimate association.

Introduction John Witte, Jr and Gary S. Hauk
1. Moses, the Prophets, and the Rabbis Elliot N. Dorff
2. Jesus and St. Paul Gary S. Hauk
3. Emperor Constantine Judith Evans Grubbs
4. St. Augustine of Hippo David G. Hunter
5. St. John Chrysostom Vigen Guroian
6. Emperor Justinian Peter Sarris
7. Theodore Balsamon John McGuckin
8. Gratian Anders Winroth
9. Peter Lombard Giulio Silano
10. Popes Alexander III and Innocent III Charles Donahue
11. St. Thomas Aquinas Philip L. Reynolds
12. Martin Luther Steven Ozment and John Witte, Jr
13. John Calvin Barbara Pitkin
14. King Henry VIII Henry Ansgar Kelly
15. Thomas Sanchez Rafael Domingo
16. John Selden Jason P. Rosenblatt
17. Mary Wollstonecraft Eileen Hunt Botting
18. Abraham Kuyper James D. Bratt
19. Emil Brunner Don S. Browning and John Witte, Jr
20. Popes Leo XIII and Pius XI Russell Hittinger
21. Pope Paul VI Steven J. Pope
22. Pope John Paul II Robert P. George and Gerard V. Bradley
23. Paul Evdokimov Michael Plekon
24. Derrick Sherwin Bailey Mark D. Jordan
25. Jean Bethke Elshtain M. Christian Green.

Subject Areas: Family law [LNM]