John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, The Lord’s calling a basis of our way of life, III.X.6 (John T. McNeill ed., Ford Lewis Battles trans., Westminster Press 1960) (1559).
Chapter X, section 6 is a classic formulation of the Protestant idea of “calling.” Note that Institutes is available online here.
Showing posts with label Personal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Personal. Show all posts
A Lawyer’s Miscellany: Scriptural Resources for Christian Lawyers
Joseph A. Allegretti, A Lawyer’s Miscellany: Scriptural Resources for Christian Lawyers, 26 Fordham Urb. L. J. 1183 (1999).
Can a Good Christian be a Good Lawyer?
Can a Good Christian be a Good Lawyer?: Homilies, Witnesses, and Reflections (Thomas E. Baker & Timothy W. Floyd eds., 1998).
From the publisher: Law professors Thomas E. Baker and Timothy W. Floyd asked some of their legal colleagues to respond to this provocative question: “Can a good Christian be a good lawyer?” Here are twenty-one highly personal narratives that answer the question of how each writer tries, sometimes but not always successfully, to be both a good Christian and a good lawyer. How does a lawyer called to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ reconcile his or her faith with the secular calling to the legal profession? The editors did not set out to provide some kind of final resolution or unified consensus. Instead, they have compiled a remarkable collection of reflections by lawyers, judges, and academics who represent many different branches of Christianity. The reader is likely to find many role models to emulate and the inspiration to continue to fight the good fight in these accounts grounded in legal and Christian thought. Reading about these real-life ethical dilemmas, conflicting loyalties, and personal difficulties offers the reassurance that others have shared their ongoing struggle to rhyme their career with their faith. Although every lawyer will find Can a Good Christian Be a Good Lawyer? especially meaningful, these essays speak to all persons of faith who strive to practice their beliefs in their work.
From the publisher: Law professors Thomas E. Baker and Timothy W. Floyd asked some of their legal colleagues to respond to this provocative question: “Can a good Christian be a good lawyer?” Here are twenty-one highly personal narratives that answer the question of how each writer tries, sometimes but not always successfully, to be both a good Christian and a good lawyer. How does a lawyer called to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ reconcile his or her faith with the secular calling to the legal profession? The editors did not set out to provide some kind of final resolution or unified consensus. Instead, they have compiled a remarkable collection of reflections by lawyers, judges, and academics who represent many different branches of Christianity. The reader is likely to find many role models to emulate and the inspiration to continue to fight the good fight in these accounts grounded in legal and Christian thought. Reading about these real-life ethical dilemmas, conflicting loyalties, and personal difficulties offers the reassurance that others have shared their ongoing struggle to rhyme their career with their faith. Although every lawyer will find Can a Good Christian Be a Good Lawyer? especially meaningful, these essays speak to all persons of faith who strive to practice their beliefs in their work.
Finding and Fulfilling the Central Purpose of Your Life
Os Guinness, The Call: Finding and Fulfilling the Central Purpose of Your Life (Word 1998).
This book is divided into 26 chapters for easy use as a devotional guide.
From the publisher (1998 edition): Os Guinness has penned a classic reflective work on life's purpose. Far bigger than our jobs and accomplishments and higher than our wildest ideas of self-fulfillment, our calling does more than give purpose and meaning to our lives--it completes God's plan for us.
Note: An updated edition was published in 2003 that includes a workbook for individual or group study.
This book is divided into 26 chapters for easy use as a devotional guide.
From the publisher (1998 edition): Os Guinness has penned a classic reflective work on life's purpose. Far bigger than our jobs and accomplishments and higher than our wildest ideas of self-fulfillment, our calling does more than give purpose and meaning to our lives--it completes God's plan for us.
Note: An updated edition was published in 2003 that includes a workbook for individual or group study.
Mere Christianity
C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity (Macmillan Co. 1943).
A forceful and accessible discussion of Christian belief that has become one of the most popular introductions to Christianity and one of the most popular of Lewis's books. Uncovers common ground upon which all Christians can stand together. (From Harpers Collins Publishers).
A forceful and accessible discussion of Christian belief that has become one of the most popular introductions to Christianity and one of the most popular of Lewis's books. Uncovers common ground upon which all Christians can stand together. (From Harpers Collins Publishers).
The Abolition of Man
C.S. Lewis, The Abolition of Man (London, Oxford University Press, H. Milford 1943).
From the back cover: In this graceful work, C. S. Lewis reflects on society and nature and the challenges of how best to educate our children. He eloquently argues that we need as a society to underpin reading and writing with lessons on morality and in the process both educate and re-educate ourselves. In the words of Walter Hooper, "If someone were to come to me and say that, with the exception of the Bible, everyone on earth was going to be required to read one and the same book, and then ask what it should be, I would with no hesitation say The Abolition of Man. It is the most perfectly reasoned defense of Natural Law (Morality) I have ever seen, or believe to exist. If any book is able to save us from future excesses of folly and evil, it is this book."
From the back cover: In this graceful work, C. S. Lewis reflects on society and nature and the challenges of how best to educate our children. He eloquently argues that we need as a society to underpin reading and writing with lessons on morality and in the process both educate and re-educate ourselves. In the words of Walter Hooper, "If someone were to come to me and say that, with the exception of the Bible, everyone on earth was going to be required to read one and the same book, and then ask what it should be, I would with no hesitation say The Abolition of Man. It is the most perfectly reasoned defense of Natural Law (Morality) I have ever seen, or believe to exist. If any book is able to save us from future excesses of folly and evil, it is this book."
Roger Williams: The Church and the State
Edmund Morgan, Roger Williams: The Church and the State (1967).
From the publisher: A classic of its kind, Edmund S. Morgan's Roger Williams skillfully depicts the intellectual life of the man who, after his expulsion in 1635 from the Massachusetts Bay Colony, founded what would become Rhode Island. As Morgan re-creates the evolution of Williams's thoughts on the nature of the church and the state, he captures with characteristic economy and precision the institutions that informed Williams's worldview, from the Protestant church in England to the Massachusetts government in the seventeenth century. In doing so, Morgan reveals the origins of a perennial—and heated—American debate, told through the ideas of one of the most brilliant polemicists on the subject, a man whose mind, as Morgan describes, "drove him to examine accepted ideas and carry them to unacceptable conclusions." Forty years after its first publication, Roger Williams remains essential reading for anyone interested in the church, the state, and the right relation of the two.
From the publisher: A classic of its kind, Edmund S. Morgan's Roger Williams skillfully depicts the intellectual life of the man who, after his expulsion in 1635 from the Massachusetts Bay Colony, founded what would become Rhode Island. As Morgan re-creates the evolution of Williams's thoughts on the nature of the church and the state, he captures with characteristic economy and precision the institutions that informed Williams's worldview, from the Protestant church in England to the Massachusetts government in the seventeenth century. In doing so, Morgan reveals the origins of a perennial—and heated—American debate, told through the ideas of one of the most brilliant polemicists on the subject, a man whose mind, as Morgan describes, "drove him to examine accepted ideas and carry them to unacceptable conclusions." Forty years after its first publication, Roger Williams remains essential reading for anyone interested in the church, the state, and the right relation of the two.
Can Man Live Without God?
Ravi K. Zacharias, Can Man Live Without God? (1994).
From the publisher: In this brilliant and compelling defense of the Christian faith, Ravi Zacharias shows how affirming the reality of God's existence matters urgently in our everyday lives. According to Zacharias, how you answer the questions of God's existence will impact your relationship with others, your commitment to integrity, your attitude toward morality and your perception of truth.
From the publisher: In this brilliant and compelling defense of the Christian faith, Ravi Zacharias shows how affirming the reality of God's existence matters urgently in our everyday lives. According to Zacharias, how you answer the questions of God's existence will impact your relationship with others, your commitment to integrity, your attitude toward morality and your perception of truth.
Faith and the Law
Symposium, Faith and the Law, 27 Tex. Tech. L. Rev. 911 (1996).
More than forty lawyers and law professors share how their faiths have influenced their practice and lives in the law.
More than forty lawyers and law professors share how their faiths have influenced their practice and lives in the law.
The Relevance of Religion to a Lawyer’s Work: An Interfaith Conference
Symposium, The Relevance of Religion to a Lawyer’s Work: An Interfaith Conference, 66 Fordham L. Rev. 1075 (1998).
From the Foreword by Russell G. Pearce: Interest in the relevance of religion to a lawyer's work is no longer limited to a small group of legal academics. Religious lawyering today become a full fledged movement drawing upon a sizeable and significant body of scholarship, and attracting the attention of a growing number of lawyers and judges. In bringing together lawyers, legal scholars, clergy, and theologians from a variety of faiths including no faith at all-to examine the implications of religion for lawyers, this conference marks another milestone for the religion and lawyering movement. It offers a comprehensive series of articles and essays exploring the implications of religion for lawyering with regard to both broad theoretical issues and specific ethical questions. It also offers a series of agendas for scholarship, teaching, bar programs, and congregational activities.
Note: The table of contents for this Fordham Law Review symposium article is available here.
From the Foreword by Russell G. Pearce: Interest in the relevance of religion to a lawyer's work is no longer limited to a small group of legal academics. Religious lawyering today become a full fledged movement drawing upon a sizeable and significant body of scholarship, and attracting the attention of a growing number of lawyers and judges. In bringing together lawyers, legal scholars, clergy, and theologians from a variety of faiths including no faith at all-to examine the implications of religion for lawyers, this conference marks another milestone for the religion and lawyering movement. It offers a comprehensive series of articles and essays exploring the implications of religion for lawyering with regard to both broad theoretical issues and specific ethical questions. It also offers a series of agendas for scholarship, teaching, bar programs, and congregational activities.
Note: The table of contents for this Fordham Law Review symposium article is available here.
Condemning Current Errors
Pius IX, Encyclical Letter Condemning Current Errors: Quanta Cura (1864) and accompanying Syllabus of Errors (1864).
Pope Pius lists most of the philosophical and theological errors of modernity. The syllabus includes, among others, pantheism, naturalism, rationalism, socialism, communism, biblical societies, and a large number of other specific errors concerning the teachings of the church, the role of the state, and questions of civil and ecclesiastical authority.
Read this Resource
Pope Pius lists most of the philosophical and theological errors of modernity. The syllabus includes, among others, pantheism, naturalism, rationalism, socialism, communism, biblical societies, and a large number of other specific errors concerning the teachings of the church, the role of the state, and questions of civil and ecclesiastical authority.
Read this Resource
Understanding the Times
David A. Noebel, Understanding the Times: Religious Worldviews of Our Day and the Search for Truth (1994).
The writing style is simple, and there is a chapter each on law, theology, philosophy, ethics, biology, psychology, politics, history, and economics, covering the difference in worldview for each of those from the Marxist, Secular Humanist, New Age, and Christian perspectives.
The writing style is simple, and there is a chapter each on law, theology, philosophy, ethics, biology, psychology, politics, history, and economics, covering the difference in worldview for each of those from the Marxist, Secular Humanist, New Age, and Christian perspectives.
Love Your God with All Your Mind
J.P. Moreland, Love Your God with All Your Mind: The Role of Reason in the Life of the Soul (1997).
The best book available on the Christian life of the mind. Moreland argues why the life of the mind is central to the faith, the problems in the church and culture caused by the loss of the concept of the “Christian mind,” and personal and communal solutions.
The best book available on the Christian life of the mind. Moreland argues why the life of the mind is central to the faith, the problems in the church and culture caused by the loss of the concept of the “Christian mind,” and personal and communal solutions.
The Wedge of Truth
Phillip E. Johnson, The Wedge of Truth (2000).
Professor Johnson focuses on naturalism, and seeks to “get people to ask the right questions.” Only then will we begin to see the truth. Much easier sledding than Darwin on Trial or even Reason in the Balance and fewer than 200 pages, this is a book for a general audience. For an even easier read that provides a similar primer for those seeking to expose lies and false premises in naturalistic presuppositions, Phillip E. Johnson, Defeating Darwinism by Opening Minds (1997) is excellent.
Professor Johnson focuses on naturalism, and seeks to “get people to ask the right questions.” Only then will we begin to see the truth. Much easier sledding than Darwin on Trial or even Reason in the Balance and fewer than 200 pages, this is a book for a general audience. For an even easier read that provides a similar primer for those seeking to expose lies and false premises in naturalistic presuppositions, Phillip E. Johnson, Defeating Darwinism by Opening Minds (1997) is excellent.
Reason in the Balance
Phillip E. Johnson, Reason in the Balance: The Case Against Naturalism in Science, Law and Education (1995).
Making a compelling case for rejection of the modern view of the law, education, and scientific inquiry, Professor Johnson argues that “there is a moral order independent of what human rulers may from time to time prefer, and law is just to the extent that it comports with that moral order.” (pp. 38-39).
Making a compelling case for rejection of the modern view of the law, education, and scientific inquiry, Professor Johnson argues that “there is a moral order independent of what human rulers may from time to time prefer, and law is just to the extent that it comports with that moral order.” (pp. 38-39).
Knowing God in the Lion's Den
Charles J. Emmerich, Knowing God in the Lion’s Den: The Christian in Law School, Christian Leg. Soc. Website http://www.clsnet.org/lsmPages/index.phpx
A brief and appropriate word of encouragement for law students struggling to keep a vibrant Christian faith while under the gun in law school.
To read this brief piece, go to "Attachment A" of the CLS-LSM "Student Chapter Manual:"
http://www.clsnet.org/lsmPages/lsm_manual/2007-2008_StudentChapterManual.pdf
A brief and appropriate word of encouragement for law students struggling to keep a vibrant Christian faith while under the gun in law school.
To read this brief piece, go to "Attachment A" of the CLS-LSM "Student Chapter Manual:"
http://www.clsnet.org/lsmPages/lsm_manual/2007-2008_StudentChapterManual.pdf
Orthodoxy
G.K. Chesterton, Orthodoxy (1908).
A classic defense of the historic Christian faith against the attacks of modern materialism and scientism. Chesterton's observations during the onset of modernism seem prophetic now that the West is in the throes of post-modernism. This book is not only insightful, it is an absolute delight to read.
Read a great review of this book, celebrating its 100th anniversary:
http://www.ignatiusinsight.com/features2008/colson_gkparadox_mar08.asp
Read this Resource
A classic defense of the historic Christian faith against the attacks of modern materialism and scientism. Chesterton's observations during the onset of modernism seem prophetic now that the West is in the throes of post-modernism. This book is not only insightful, it is an absolute delight to read.
Read a great review of this book, celebrating its 100th anniversary:
http://www.ignatiusinsight.com/features2008/colson_gkparadox_mar08.asp
Read this Resource
What We Can't Not Know
J. Budziszewski, What We Can’t Not Know: A Guide (Spence 2003).
One of the finest books on “common truth”—the reality of moral law. Professor Budziszewski hoped to “achieve two things” through the book: First, “to bolster the confidence of plain people in the rational foundations of their common moral sense.” Second, “to present the explanation in such a way that all of the people who think and write about the common truths can achieve a firmer alliance in their defense.” He achieves both goals, and much more. This is both an introduction to apologetics through common truth and a primer on the cultural possibilities of natural law thinking.
One of the finest books on “common truth”—the reality of moral law. Professor Budziszewski hoped to “achieve two things” through the book: First, “to bolster the confidence of plain people in the rational foundations of their common moral sense.” Second, “to present the explanation in such a way that all of the people who think and write about the common truths can achieve a firmer alliance in their defense.” He achieves both goals, and much more. This is both an introduction to apologetics through common truth and a primer on the cultural possibilities of natural law thinking.
50 Questions on the Natural Law
Charles E. Rice, 50 Questions on the Natural Law: What It is and Why We Need It (1995).
In simple question and answer form, Professor Rice defends and discusses natural law theory and modern misconceptions about it. It is short and accessible to the novice.
In simple question and answer form, Professor Rice defends and discusses natural law theory and modern misconceptions about it. It is short and accessible to the novice.
Written on the Heart
J. Budziszewski, Written on the Heart: The Case for Natural Law (InterVarsity 1997).
A very readable, entertaining, and basic introduction to natural law theory. This is the perfect resource for the busy law student who is willing to take the time to read it. Despite its accessibility, it is a scholarly primer, with index and numerous notes (228 pages total).
If you would like a shorter, more recent work to just get your feet wet, take a look at Budziszewski's more recent and much shorter book Natural Law for Lawyers (2006). It is also quite readable and perhaps slightly more approachable.
Another great book by Budziszewski, What We Can’t Not Know (2003), is less concerned with instruction on natural law theory and is more helpful in developing an understanding of natural law theory as an evangelistic and apologetics tool (see page 23). For more on this book, check out our blog post "What We Can't Not Know."
A very readable, entertaining, and basic introduction to natural law theory. This is the perfect resource for the busy law student who is willing to take the time to read it. Despite its accessibility, it is a scholarly primer, with index and numerous notes (228 pages total).
If you would like a shorter, more recent work to just get your feet wet, take a look at Budziszewski's more recent and much shorter book Natural Law for Lawyers (2006). It is also quite readable and perhaps slightly more approachable.
Another great book by Budziszewski, What We Can’t Not Know (2003), is less concerned with instruction on natural law theory and is more helpful in developing an understanding of natural law theory as an evangelistic and apologetics tool (see page 23). For more on this book, check out our blog post "What We Can't Not Know."
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