Description
Book SynopsisA groundbreaking new collection, Christianity and Constitutionalism offers a variety of interdisciplinary perspectives on the relationship between Christian thought, history, and practice, and constitutional law and its related fields.
Trade ReviewScholars of the American founding have long noted the influence of Reformed Protestant Christianity on the background assumptions of the framers—both about language and the nature of republican government—but this collection of essays provides more depth and insight on that topic than ever before. I highly recommend this book for both academics and general readers interested in the connections between Christianity and the Constitution. * Michael W. McConnell, Richard & Frances Mallery Professor, Stanford Law School; Director, Stanford Constitutional Law Center; Senior Fellow, Hoover Institution *
The relationship between religious thought and constitutionalism is the focus of this book...the contribution it makes to an understanding of the important connections between religion, specifically Christianity, and constitutionalism, are worthy of attention. * Commonwealth Lawyers' Association and Contributors *
Highly recommended. Advanced undergraduates through faculty. * Choice *
Table of ContentsAcknowledgements Contributors Contents INTRODUCTION 1 INTRODUCTION: Christianity and Constitutionalism Nicholas Aroney and Ian Leigh Part I: The Historical Influence of Christianity 2 OLD TESTAMENT: Torah and Constitutionalism Jonathan Burnside 3 NEW TESTAMENT: "But our constitution is in heaven": New Testament sketches on the people of God between divine law and earthly rulers Dorothea H. Bertschmann 4 ANTIQUITY: Constantine and Constitutionalism Peter Leithart 5 PATRISTIC ERA: Augustine's Constitutionalism: Citizenship, Common Good, and Consent Mary Keys & Colleen Mitchell 6 MIDDLE AGES: Canon Law Constitutionalism? Richard Helmholz 7 REFORMATION: The Protestant Reformation of Constitutionalism John Witte Jr. 8 MODERNITY: Understanding Law and Constitutionalism in Modernity: The Critical Contribution of English Reformation Public Theology Joan Lockwood O'Donovan Part II: Christian Perspectives on Constitutionalism 9 SOVEREIGNTY: Dual, Plural and One Joel Harrison 10 RULE OF LAW: The Sacred Roots and Secular Shoots of the Supreme Law Li-ann Thio 11 DEMOCRACY: Self-Government and the Kingdom of Heaven Richard Ekins 12 SEPARATION OF POWERS: Biblical Foundations of the Separation of Powers and the Catalytical Judicial Role Carlos Bernal 13 RIGHTS: Christian Constitutional Rights? Julian Rivers 14 FREEDOM OF CONSCIENCE: Freedom of Conscience Assessing the Christian Contribution Ian Leigh 15 FEDERALISM: A Legal, Political and Religious Archaeology Nicholas Aroney PART III: Christian Theology and Constitutionalism 16 REVELATION: Scripture and Covenant David VanDrunen 17 TRINITY: Against Leviathan: The Implications of Trinitarian Theology for Constitutionalism David McIlroy 18 JUSTICE: Justice the Constitution and the Purpose of the Political Community Jonathan Chaplin 19 CHRISTOLOGY: Christology and Constitutionalism Tracey Rowland 20 NATURAL LAW: Natural Law and Natural Right Revisited John Milbank 21 SUBSIDIARITY: Origins and Contemporary Aspects Iain T. Benson 22 ESCHATOLOGY: The Greater Operation of Liberty Douglas Farrow