Christianity and Natural Law
An Introduction

This book compares historical and modern natural law ideas across global Christian traditions and explores their use in church law.

Norman Doe (Edited by)

9781107186446, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 20 July 2017

276 pages
23.5 x 15.7 x 1.9 cm, 0.53 kg

'… the treatment of the importance of natural law in the theology of John Calvin and its subsequent reception and revival, filtered through Karl Barth, is of great benefit for understanding recent reformed interest in natural law. For all of those outside these traditions, and perhaps even those within them with an interest in natural law, these chapters could be immensely helpful in tracking the broader reception of natural law in the Protestant theological tradition.' Gideon Barr, Reading Religion

Historically, natural law has played a pivotal role in Christian approaches to the law, and a contested role in legal philosophy generally. However, comparative study of natural law across global Christian traditions is largely neglected. This book provides not only the history of natural law ideas across mainstream Christian traditions worldwide, but also an ecumenical comparison of the contemporary natural law positions of different traditions. Its focus is not solely theoretical: it tests the practical utility of natural law by exploring its use in the legal systems of the churches studied. Alongside analysis of the assumptions underlying the concept, it also proposes a jurisprudence of Christian law itself. With chapters written by distinguished lawyers and theologians across the world, this book is designed for those studying and teaching law or theology, those who practice and study ecumenism, and those involved in the practice of church law.

Preface Norman Doe
1. Natural law and Christianity: a brief history R. H. Helmholz
2. Natural law in the Roman Catholic tradition Helen Costigane
3. Natural law in the Orthodox tradition Paul Babie
4. Natural law in the Anglican tradition Will Adam
5. Natural law in the Lutheran tradition Antti Raunio
6. Natural law in the Methodist tradition John A. Harrod
7. Natural law in the Reformed tradition Mary Anne Plaatjies van Huffel
8. Natural law in the Baptist tradition Paul Goodliff
9. Natural law in the Ecumenical movement Leo J. Koffeman
10. Natural law in an interfaith context: the Abrahamic religions Norman Doe
11. Natural law and philosophical presuppositions Owen Anderson
12. Towards a jurisprudence of Christian law Russell Sandberg.

Subject Areas: Customary law [LBBC1], Law & society [LAQ], Ecclesiastical [canon law LAFX], Systems of law [LAF], Law [L], History of religion [HRAX], Religion: general [HRA], Religion & beliefs [HR]