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Christianity and Family Law

An Introduction

John Witte Jr editor Gary S Hauk editor

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Cambridge University Press

Published:12th Oct '17

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

Christianity and Family Law cover

A comprehensive analysis of Christian influences on Western family law from the first century to the present day.

Analyzing Christian influences on Western family law over the past two millennia, this volume explores marriage and divorce, women's and children's rights, marital property and inheritance, and human sexuality. In twenty-five lively and accessible chapters, readers are exposed to the enduring and evolving Christian norms and teachings on family life.The Western tradition has always cherished the family as an essential foundation of a just and orderly society, and thus accorded it special legal and religious protection. Christianity embraced this teaching from the start, and many of the basics of Western family law were shaped by the Christian theologies of nature, sacrament, and covenant. This volume introduces readers to the enduring and evolving Christian norms and teachings on betrothals and weddings; marriage and divorce; women's and children's rights; marital property and inheritance; and human sexuality and intimate relationships. The chapters are authoritatively written but accessible to college and graduate students and scholars, as well as clergy and laity. While alert to the hot button issues of sexual liberty today, the contributing authors let the historical figures speak for themselves about what Christianity has and can contribute to the protection and guidance of our most intimate association.

'The authors and editors seek to provide both legal and historical frameworks for the development of family law, stressing the relationship between Christian teachings and various topics. Most are experts on the personages discussed, frequently noting that their contributions are taken from larger works. Almost every chapter reveals new insights, and sometimes the figures themselves are novel (at least to this reader), even though their thoughts may creep into the modern discourse on the family. The editors seek to balance the various divisions in contemporary Christianity and largely succeed. They also include a variety of disciplines.' Margaret F. Brinig, Journal of Church and State

ISBN: 9781108401197

Dimensions: 229mm x 154mm x 25mm

Weight: 700g

485 pages