ABSTRACT
This collection brings together lawyers and theologians in the U.S. and Europe to reflect on Lutheran understandings of the political use of the law by secular governments. The book furthers the intellectual conversation about how Lutheran insights can be used to develop jurisprudence and specific solutions to legal issues in which there is strong conflict. It presents the basic theological and interpretive assumptions of the Lutheran tradition as they may inform the creation of legislation and judicial interpretation at local, national and international levels. The authors explore Luther’s conception of the foundations of modern secular law and understanding of vocation. The work discusses the application of Lutheran theological principles to contemporary issues such as the war on terror, native land rights, property law, family law, church and state, medical experimentation, and the criminal law of rape, providing ethical insights for lawyers and lawmakers.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
part I|13 pages
Our secular age
chapter 1|13 pages
The contribution of law to the secularization of politics
part II|24 pages
Lutheran theology and legal philosophy
part III|48 pages
The individual and the state
chapter 6|12 pages
Luther’s two strategies and political advocacy
chapter 7|12 pages
A case for toleration
part IV|28 pages
International law and human rights
part V|44 pages
Domestic legal issues
chapter 11|15 pages
The Doctrine of Discovery in American Indian law
part VI|23 pages
Professionals, law and neighbor-love