The Oxford Handbook of Christianity and Law

This volume explores the interaction between Christianity and law over the past two millennia,including the influence of Christian teachings on core public,private,penal,and procedural laws. It also discusses Christian canon law,natural law theory,and religious freedom norms,as well as Christian contributions to controversial legal issues. The book defines Christianity broadly to include Catholic,Protestant,and Orthodox traditions and various denominations and schools of thought.

Format: Hardback
Length: 864 pages
Publication date: 29 February 2024
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

This comprehensive volume explores the intricate relationship between Christianity and law, spanning both historical and contemporary contexts. Written by renowned scholars, it comprises sixty new chapters that provide authoritative and accessible accounts of foundational Christian teachings on law and legal thought over the past two millennia. The book delves into the current interaction and contestation of law and Christianity on all continents, examining how Christianity has shaped and been shaped by core public, private, penal, and procedural laws. It also explores various old and new forms of Christian canon law, natural law theory, and religious freedom norms, as well as Christian teachings on fundamental principles of law and legal order.

The chapters collectively demonstrate that Christianity and law have had a perennial and permanent influence on each other throughout history and across cultures, albeit with varying degrees of intensity and effectiveness. The volume defines Christianity broadly to include Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox traditions and various denominations and schools of thought within them. It draws on Christian ideas and institutions, norms and practices, texts, and titans to tell the story of Christianity's engagement with the world of law over the past two millennia.

Furthermore, the book defines law broadly as the normative order of justice, power, and freedom. The chapters address natural laws of conscience, reason, and the Bible, as well as positive laws enacted by states, churches, and voluntary associations. Several chapters focus on Christian engagement with specific types of law, such as canon law, family law, education law, constitutional law, criminal law, procedural law, and laws governing labor, tax, contracts, torts, property, and beyond. Other chapters take up cutting-edge legal issues.

In conclusion, this volume offers a valuable contribution to the study of Christianity and law, providing a comprehensive and interdisciplinary exploration of the complex interplay between these two influential forces. It will be of interest to scholars, students, and practitioners in the fields of religion, law, and society.

Weight: 1766g
Dimension: 185 x 256 x 57 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780197606759