Doug Bandow, Beyond Good Intentions: A Biblical View of Politics (1988).
From the back cover: Beyond Good Intentions brings a wealth of knowledge and insight to the question of how Christianity and politics interrelate. Author Doug Bandow believes the key lies in the correct use of the Bible in addressing public policy issues. Too often Christians either ignore or misapply the Bible in the political arena. Beyond Good Intentions is a much-needed corrective which takes the Bible seriously yet avoids proof-texting and questionable interpretive methods.
Showing posts with label Supplemental Resources. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Supplemental Resources. Show all posts
Caesar's Coin Revisited: Christians and the Limits of Government
Michael Cromartie, ed., Caesar's Coin Revisited: Christians and the Limits of Government (1996).
From Publishers Weekly: “These papers from a conference on the obligation of the Christian citizen to the state explore a variety of responses to Jesus' injunction to "render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are God's." For example, University of Chicago professor of ethics Jean Bethke Elshtain examines the question of the emperor's sovereignty and the state's power through a reading of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's reaction to Hilter's state. The Cato Institute's Doug Bandow argues for the necessity of a limited government. Each chapter contains responses from all the conference participants with the end result being that Caesar's Coin constructs a meaningful dialogue among thinkers at all points along theological and political continuums."
Note: Al Mohler has also written an interesting essay addressing a particular angle of this topic.
From Publishers Weekly: “These papers from a conference on the obligation of the Christian citizen to the state explore a variety of responses to Jesus' injunction to "render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are God's." For example, University of Chicago professor of ethics Jean Bethke Elshtain examines the question of the emperor's sovereignty and the state's power through a reading of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's reaction to Hilter's state. The Cato Institute's Doug Bandow argues for the necessity of a limited government. Each chapter contains responses from all the conference participants with the end result being that Caesar's Coin constructs a meaningful dialogue among thinkers at all points along theological and political continuums."
Note: Al Mohler has also written an interesting essay addressing a particular angle of this topic.
Natural Law and Public Reason
Robert George and Christopher Wolfe eds., Natural Law and Public Reason (Georgetown University Press 2000).
From the publisher: "Public reason" is one of the central concepts in modern liberal political theory. As articulated by John Rawls, it presents a way to overcome the difficulties created by intractable differences among citizens' religious and moral beliefs by strictly confining the place of such convictions in the public sphere. Identifying this conception as a key point of conflict, this book presents a debate among contemporary natural law and liberal political theorists on the definition and validity of the idea of public reason. Its distinguished contributors examine the consequences of interpreting public reason more broadly as "right reason," according to natural law theory, versus understanding it in the narrower sense in which Rawls intended. They test public reason by examining its implications for current issues, confronting the questions of abortion and slavery and matters relating to citizenship. This energetic exchange advances our understanding of both Rawls's contribution to political philosophy and the lasting relevance of natural law. It provides new insights into crucial issues facing society today as it points to new ways of thinking about political theory and practice.
From the publisher: "Public reason" is one of the central concepts in modern liberal political theory. As articulated by John Rawls, it presents a way to overcome the difficulties created by intractable differences among citizens' religious and moral beliefs by strictly confining the place of such convictions in the public sphere. Identifying this conception as a key point of conflict, this book presents a debate among contemporary natural law and liberal political theorists on the definition and validity of the idea of public reason. Its distinguished contributors examine the consequences of interpreting public reason more broadly as "right reason," according to natural law theory, versus understanding it in the narrower sense in which Rawls intended. They test public reason by examining its implications for current issues, confronting the questions of abortion and slavery and matters relating to citizenship. This energetic exchange advances our understanding of both Rawls's contribution to political philosophy and the lasting relevance of natural law. It provides new insights into crucial issues facing society today as it points to new ways of thinking about political theory and practice.
Making Men Moral: Civil Liberties and Public Morality
Robert P. George, Making Men Moral: Civil Liberties and Public Morality (1995).
From the publisher: Contemporary liberal thinkers commonly suppose that there is something in principle unjust about the legal prohibition of putatively victimless crimes. Here Robert P. George defends the traditional justification of morals legislation against criticisms advanced by leading liberal theorists. He argues that such legislation can play a legitimate role in maintaining a moral environment conducive to virtue and inhospitable to at least some forms of vice. Among the liberal critics of morals legislation whose views George considers are Ronald Dworkin, Jeremy Waldron, David A.J. Richards, and Joseph Raz. He also considers the influential modern justification for morals legislation offered by Patrick Devlin as an alternative to the traditional approach. George closes with a sketch of a "pluralistic perfectionist" theory of civil liberties and public morality, showing that it is fully compatible with a defense of morals legislation. Making Men Moral will interest legal scholars and political theorists as well as theologians and philosophers focusing on questions of social justice and political morality.
From the publisher: Contemporary liberal thinkers commonly suppose that there is something in principle unjust about the legal prohibition of putatively victimless crimes. Here Robert P. George defends the traditional justification of morals legislation against criticisms advanced by leading liberal theorists. He argues that such legislation can play a legitimate role in maintaining a moral environment conducive to virtue and inhospitable to at least some forms of vice. Among the liberal critics of morals legislation whose views George considers are Ronald Dworkin, Jeremy Waldron, David A.J. Richards, and Joseph Raz. He also considers the influential modern justification for morals legislation offered by Patrick Devlin as an alternative to the traditional approach. George closes with a sketch of a "pluralistic perfectionist" theory of civil liberties and public morality, showing that it is fully compatible with a defense of morals legislation. Making Men Moral will interest legal scholars and political theorists as well as theologians and philosophers focusing on questions of social justice and political morality.
Savior or Servant? Putting Government in its Place
David W. Hall, Savior or Servant? Putting Government in its Place (1996).
From Amazon: David Hall is a rare breed -- a pastor, scholar, activist, and popular communicator. His electronic journal Premise and a wide array of online sources are treasure troves of information, and his several books on church polity are substantial. With Savior or Servant? he turns his eye upon the realm of the state -- and with no less remarkable results. The book may well be the single best volume of Christian thinking on the issue of the increasingly intrusive state... Examining virtually every passage of scripture as well as every historical and theological movement dealing with the proper place and role of civil government, it is encyclopedic in scope. -- George Grant, World, May 11/18, 1996. P. 22.
From Amazon: David Hall is a rare breed -- a pastor, scholar, activist, and popular communicator. His electronic journal Premise and a wide array of online sources are treasure troves of information, and his several books on church polity are substantial. With Savior or Servant? he turns his eye upon the realm of the state -- and with no less remarkable results. The book may well be the single best volume of Christian thinking on the issue of the increasingly intrusive state... Examining virtually every passage of scripture as well as every historical and theological movement dealing with the proper place and role of civil government, it is encyclopedic in scope. -- George Grant, World, May 11/18, 1996. P. 22.
The Law of the Covenant: An Exposition of Exodus 21-23
James B. Jordan, The Law of the Covenant: An Exposition of Exodus 21-23 (1984).
From the inside flap: How relevant are the laws of the Old Testament for today? God said that Israel was to be a light to the nations (Hebrews 42:6). That someday all nations would come to Jerusalem to receive the Law (Micah 4:2). That in His Law, "every transgression and disobedience receives a just recompense" (Hebrews 2:2). That all peoples would marvel at the wisdom and justice of Israel's laws (Deuteronomy 4:6-8). Yet, with the change from the Old to the New Covenant, there are clearly changes in the Law, "for when the priesthood changes, there must also take place a change of law" (Hebrews 7:12). How, then, are we to approach the many laws found in the Old Testament? Some of them are obviously superior to our modern law today (such as restitution instead of imprisonment for theft.) Some of them have obviously been superseded in Christ (such as the sacrificial system). Some of them seem overly harsh (such as the death penalty for "cursing" parents). Some of them seem weird and strange (such as the prohibition on boiling a kid in its mother's milk). In this book, Mr. Jordan provides four introductory chapters of the nature of Biblical law, on the redemptive historical context in which the law was first written, and on the overall changes in the law system which the New Covenant brings. Then, moving to the concrete, Mr. Jordan provides the first truly in-depth commentary on the case laws of Exodus 21-23, the Book of the Covenant. The laws are taken up one at a time. In each case, the question is asked, "What did this law mean to the people of the Old Testament age?" Then the question is asked, "What relevance might this law have for the Christian faith today?" Finally, the question is asked, "How does this law shed light on the work of Jesus Christ, of whom all Scripture speaks? That is, how can we preach Christ from this law?" In his preface, Mr. Jordan states that he has not tried to say the last word on these chapters of Scripture, but that he has tried to say a first word, and to challenge the Church to look further into these verses to find the wisdom for today. No preacher and no student of the Word can afford to be without this study.
Note: This book, published by the Institute for Christian Economics, is a worth-while introduction to a theonomist view towards Exodus 21-23. One should be sure to read the Introduction by John M. Frame. Pages 93 – 130 address Criminal Law, and pages 131 – 144 address Property Law.
The book is available for download here, or here (PDF).
From the inside flap: How relevant are the laws of the Old Testament for today? God said that Israel was to be a light to the nations (Hebrews 42:6). That someday all nations would come to Jerusalem to receive the Law (Micah 4:2). That in His Law, "every transgression and disobedience receives a just recompense" (Hebrews 2:2). That all peoples would marvel at the wisdom and justice of Israel's laws (Deuteronomy 4:6-8). Yet, with the change from the Old to the New Covenant, there are clearly changes in the Law, "for when the priesthood changes, there must also take place a change of law" (Hebrews 7:12). How, then, are we to approach the many laws found in the Old Testament? Some of them are obviously superior to our modern law today (such as restitution instead of imprisonment for theft.) Some of them have obviously been superseded in Christ (such as the sacrificial system). Some of them seem overly harsh (such as the death penalty for "cursing" parents). Some of them seem weird and strange (such as the prohibition on boiling a kid in its mother's milk). In this book, Mr. Jordan provides four introductory chapters of the nature of Biblical law, on the redemptive historical context in which the law was first written, and on the overall changes in the law system which the New Covenant brings. Then, moving to the concrete, Mr. Jordan provides the first truly in-depth commentary on the case laws of Exodus 21-23, the Book of the Covenant. The laws are taken up one at a time. In each case, the question is asked, "What did this law mean to the people of the Old Testament age?" Then the question is asked, "What relevance might this law have for the Christian faith today?" Finally, the question is asked, "How does this law shed light on the work of Jesus Christ, of whom all Scripture speaks? That is, how can we preach Christ from this law?" In his preface, Mr. Jordan states that he has not tried to say the last word on these chapters of Scripture, but that he has tried to say a first word, and to challenge the Church to look further into these verses to find the wisdom for today. No preacher and no student of the Word can afford to be without this study.
Note: This book, published by the Institute for Christian Economics, is a worth-while introduction to a theonomist view towards Exodus 21-23. One should be sure to read the Introduction by John M. Frame. Pages 93 – 130 address Criminal Law, and pages 131 – 144 address Property Law.
The book is available for download here, or here (PDF).
The City of God Meets Anabaptist Monasticism
David M. Smolin, The City of God Meets Anabaptist Monasticism: Reflections on the Twenty-fifth Anniversary of Wisconsin v. Yoder, 25 Capital U. L. Rev. 841 (1996).
Some Religiously-Devout Justices, Civil Religion, and the Culture War
Christopher Wolfe, Some Religiously-Devout Justices, Civil Religion, and the Culture War, 81 Marq. L. Rev. 427 (1998).
A Treatise on the Study of Law
William Murray, Earl of Mansfield, A Treatise on the Study of Law (William S. Hein & Co. 1973) (1797).
The Gladsome Light of Jurisprudence
Michael H. Hoeflich, The Gladsome Light of Jurisprudence: Learning the Law in England and the United States in the 18th and 19th Centuries (1988).
From the publisher: Jurist of the 18th and 19th centuries were often in disagreement as to the proper method of instructing students who wished to take up the practice of law. This volume distills the essential elements of the controversy over legal education and offers many articles and papers on the topic that are no longer available in print. A compilation of seventeen essays by influential legal scholars of the period, it presents arguments for and against the educations approaches that dominated English and American legal study for more than two centuries. Dean Hoeflich's introduction examines the historical and legal context that formed the background of the controversy. Many of the essays that follow are polemical contributions to the debate on the relative merits of apprenticeship and academic training--the methods of legal education that were commonly practiced. Some authors favored a pragmatic, non-elitist training, others recommended greater emphasis on systematization and method through the teaching of logic, moral philosophy, or Roman law. Still others proposed a blending of approaches or altogether new types of legal education--some of which were frankly utopian. Several essays focus on the need to develop American legal education independent of English models. Renowned jurists such as Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., and William Blackstone are represented, together with lesser known legal thinkers credited with substantial or original contributions to the field. The editor provides supplementary notes on the authors, a bibliography, and an index.
From the publisher: Jurist of the 18th and 19th centuries were often in disagreement as to the proper method of instructing students who wished to take up the practice of law. This volume distills the essential elements of the controversy over legal education and offers many articles and papers on the topic that are no longer available in print. A compilation of seventeen essays by influential legal scholars of the period, it presents arguments for and against the educations approaches that dominated English and American legal study for more than two centuries. Dean Hoeflich's introduction examines the historical and legal context that formed the background of the controversy. Many of the essays that follow are polemical contributions to the debate on the relative merits of apprenticeship and academic training--the methods of legal education that were commonly practiced. Some authors favored a pragmatic, non-elitist training, others recommended greater emphasis on systematization and method through the teaching of logic, moral philosophy, or Roman law. Still others proposed a blending of approaches or altogether new types of legal education--some of which were frankly utopian. Several essays focus on the need to develop American legal education independent of English models. Renowned jurists such as Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., and William Blackstone are represented, together with lesser known legal thinkers credited with substantial or original contributions to the field. The editor provides supplementary notes on the authors, a bibliography, and an index.
The Idea of a Christian College
Arthur F. Holmes, The Idea of a Christian College (Wm. B. Eerdmans Publ’g Co. 1987) (1975).
From the publisher (regarding the 1987 edition): This revised edition of a classic text provides a concise case for the role of the Christian college and its distinctive mission and contribution. Holmes has extensively revised several chapters and included two new chapters: "Liberal Arts as Career Preparation" and "The Marks of an Educated Person."
From the publisher (regarding the 1987 edition): This revised edition of a classic text provides a concise case for the role of the Christian college and its distinctive mission and contribution. Holmes has extensively revised several chapters and included two new chapters: "Liberal Arts as Career Preparation" and "The Marks of an Educated Person."
The Ideal of a (Catholic) Law School
Christopher Wolfe, The Ideal of a (Catholic) Law School, 78 Marq. L. Rev. 487 (1995).
A Critique of the New Natural Law Theory
Russell Hittinger, A Critique of the New Natural Law Theory (1989).
Reviews from the publisher:
"Few authors possess Hittinger’s extraordinary command of contemporary as well as classical moral theory…This book establishes Hittinger as a moral philosopher of first rank."
-Jude Doughterty, Catholic University of America
"The book is written in a clear and forceful style. It is ideal for use in ethics and logic classes as a model of critical reasoning, although its principal audience will no doubt be philosophers and theologians interested in natural law ethics."
-International Philosophical Quarterly
Reviews from the publisher:
"Few authors possess Hittinger’s extraordinary command of contemporary as well as classical moral theory…This book establishes Hittinger as a moral philosopher of first rank."
-Jude Doughterty, Catholic University of America
"The book is written in a clear and forceful style. It is ideal for use in ethics and logic classes as a model of critical reasoning, although its principal audience will no doubt be philosophers and theologians interested in natural law ethics."
-International Philosophical Quarterly
God Has Spoken: Revelation And The Bible
J.I. Packer, God Has Spoken: Revelation and the Bible (Baker Academic 3d ed. 1994).
"At no time since the Reformation," observes J.I. Packer, "have Protestant Christians as a body been so unsure, tentative and confused as to what they should believe and do." The church has suffered a famine of hearing God's Word, Packer contends, and he points the way to the understanding and application of the life-changing truths of the Bible. Packer urges a reborn church to
*preach the Word as a means of grace
*teach the Word as vital doctrine
*subject the mind of faith to God's promises
*expect lay Bible reading as a constant lifestyle
*follow the real person of Jesus Christ as revealed in the gospel.
"At no time since the Reformation," observes J.I. Packer, "have Protestant Christians as a body been so unsure, tentative and confused as to what they should believe and do." The church has suffered a famine of hearing God's Word, Packer contends, and he points the way to the understanding and application of the life-changing truths of the Bible. Packer urges a reborn church to
*preach the Word as a means of grace
*teach the Word as vital doctrine
*subject the mind of faith to God's promises
*expect lay Bible reading as a constant lifestyle
*follow the real person of Jesus Christ as revealed in the gospel.
God's People in God's Land: Family, Land, and Property In The Old Testament
Christopher J.H. Wright, God's People in God's Land: Family, Land, and Property In The Old Testament (Wm. B. Eerdmans Publ’g Co. 1990).
From the publisher: In recent sociological approaches to the Old Testament, Christians have been finding unexpected resources for their ethical reflection and action relative to the modern world's pressing social and economic dilemmas. This unique survey by Christopher Wright examines life in Old Testament Israel from an ethical perspective by considering how the economic facts of Israel's social structure were related to the people's religious beliefs. Observing the centrality of the family in the social, economic and religious spheres of Israelite life, Wright analyzes Israel's theology of land, the rights and responsibilities of property owners, and the socioeconomic and legal status of dependent persons in ancient Israel — wives, children, and slaves — showing the mutual interaction between such laws, institutions, and customs and the nation's covenant relationship with God. While primarily exegetical, God's People in God's Land contains many useful insights for Christian social ethics: Wright suggests how the ethical application of his findings might proceed as Christians with different theological perspectives and cultural contexts seek to work out the relevance of the Old Testament for today.
From the publisher: In recent sociological approaches to the Old Testament, Christians have been finding unexpected resources for their ethical reflection and action relative to the modern world's pressing social and economic dilemmas. This unique survey by Christopher Wright examines life in Old Testament Israel from an ethical perspective by considering how the economic facts of Israel's social structure were related to the people's religious beliefs. Observing the centrality of the family in the social, economic and religious spheres of Israelite life, Wright analyzes Israel's theology of land, the rights and responsibilities of property owners, and the socioeconomic and legal status of dependent persons in ancient Israel — wives, children, and slaves — showing the mutual interaction between such laws, institutions, and customs and the nation's covenant relationship with God. While primarily exegetical, God's People in God's Land contains many useful insights for Christian social ethics: Wright suggests how the ethical application of his findings might proceed as Christians with different theological perspectives and cultural contexts seek to work out the relevance of the Old Testament for today.
Law and Christianity (Symposium at Vanderbilt)
Symposium, Law and Christianity, 10 Vand. L. Rev. 879 (1957).
Includes Samuel E. Stumpf, Theology and Jurisprudence (885); William S. Ellis, The Christian Lawyer as Public Servant (912); and William G. Stringfellow, The Christian Lawyer as Churchman (939), among others.
Includes Samuel E. Stumpf, Theology and Jurisprudence (885); William S. Ellis, The Christian Lawyer as Public Servant (912); and William G. Stringfellow, The Christian Lawyer as Churchman (939), among others.
Law and Christianity (Symposium at Oklahoma)
Symposium, Law and Christianity, 12 Okla. L. Rev.
This symposium from over fifty years ago raised a number of issues that are still relevant to Christians who study and practice law.
The contributors and their topics included: James A. Pike, Introduction (45); Albert Mollegen, Christ and Law (48); Wilbur G. Katz, Christ and Law (57); Markus Barth, Christ and Law (67); Harold J. Berman, The Influence of Christianity upon the Development of Law (86); John Mulder and Karl Olsson, Christian and Lawyer (113); and Jacques Ellul, Propositions Concerning the Christian Attitude Toward Law (134).
This symposium from over fifty years ago raised a number of issues that are still relevant to Christians who study and practice law.
The contributors and their topics included: James A. Pike, Introduction (45); Albert Mollegen, Christ and Law (48); Wilbur G. Katz, Christ and Law (57); Markus Barth, Christ and Law (67); Harold J. Berman, The Influence of Christianity upon the Development of Law (86); John Mulder and Karl Olsson, Christian and Lawyer (113); and Jacques Ellul, Propositions Concerning the Christian Attitude Toward Law (134).
Christian Perspectives on Law and Legal Scholarship
Symposium, Christian Perspectives on Law and Legal Scholarship, 47 J. Leg. Ed. 1 (1997).
Professors Gerard Bradley, David Caudill, David Smolin, and Robert Cochran contributed to this symposium.
More recently, Mark Osler points to an article by Prof. David Skeel, Jr. exploring this topic. Prof. Skeel's article discusses why evangelicals have not contributed much in the way of legal scholarship, and it's worth a read: 57 Emory L.J. 1471 (2008).
Professors Gerard Bradley, David Caudill, David Smolin, and Robert Cochran contributed to this symposium.
More recently, Mark Osler points to an article by Prof. David Skeel, Jr. exploring this topic. Prof. Skeel's article discusses why evangelicals have not contributed much in the way of legal scholarship, and it's worth a read: 57 Emory L.J. 1471 (2008).
Fountain of Justice
John C. H. Wu, Fountain of Justice: A Study in Natural Law (New York, Sheed and Ward, 1955; Taipei, Mei Ya Publications, 1971).
For an excellent (if dated) review, one should read John T. Noonan, Jr.'s piece in the Harvard Law Review. The citation is: John T. Noonan, Jr., Review, 69 Harv. L. Rev. 1519 (1956).
A short biography and bibliography can be found here.
For an excellent (if dated) review, one should read John T. Noonan, Jr.'s piece in the Harvard Law Review. The citation is: John T. Noonan, Jr., Review, 69 Harv. L. Rev. 1519 (1956).
A short biography and bibliography can be found here.
Essays on Faith and Liberal Democracy
Christopher Wolfe, Essays on Faith and Liberal Democracy (University Press of America, l987).
This collection of essays includes a discussion of A Letter Concerning Toleration by Locke as well as Tocqueville’s Democracy in America.
If you would like to learn more about Prof. Wolfe and his scholarship, here's a short biography.
This collection of essays includes a discussion of A Letter Concerning Toleration by Locke as well as Tocqueville’s Democracy in America.
If you would like to learn more about Prof. Wolfe and his scholarship, here's a short biography.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)