This volume is the result of an international exchange between legal scholars, theologians, scientists, and philosophers. During the course of several years, these thinkers explored analogies and differences between concepts of law in various academic disciplines, probing the sustainability of an interdisciplinary understanding of law.
This volume documents the results of an international, interdisciplinary exchange between legal scholars, theologians, scientists, and philosophers. During the course of several years, these thinkers explored analogies and differences between concepts of law in various academic disciplines, probing the sustainability of an interdisciplinary concept of law. While inspired by objectives of the natural law debate, the contributions nonetheless assume that a dialogue between theology and philosophy is not sufficient to forge both a critical and constructive association of »reason and religion.« Instead, for the combination of »reason and religion« to be truly fruitful, various academic disciplines are required to engage on specific issues, relating constructively to different methods and modes of thought. The contributors pursue a concept of law which is viable in multidisciplinary as well as international regard and, while drawing on the goals of the natural law debate, leaves its shortcomings behind.
Table of contents:
Acknowledgments
Michael Welker/Gregor Etzelmüller: Introduction
1. Laws of NatureJohn Polkinghorne: Introduction -
John Polkinghorne: The Character of the Laws of Nature -
Jörg Hüfner: Origins of the Concept Law of Nature -
Nicolaidis Agyris: The Laws of Nature and the Nature of Laws -
Judy Wornat: Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons: A Case Study in the Laws of Natural Science -
Jeff Schloss: Laws of Life? -
Niels Henrik Gregersen: From Laws of Nature to Nature's Capacities: A Theological Thought Experiment
2. God's Laws and Human Laws in Biblical TraditionsMichael Welker: Introduction -
Konrad Schmid: The Genesis of Normativity in Biblical Law -
Patrick Miller: »That You May Live:« Dimensions of Law in Deuteronomy -
Gregor Etzelmüller: Law and Ritual: The Power of Cultic Regulations in the Old Testament to Shape Christian Liturgical History -
Matthias Konradt: Law, Salvation and Christian Identity in Paul and Matthew -
Michael Welker: Justice-Mercy-Worship: The »Weighty Matters« of Biblical Law
3. Laws in Reformation Theology and Modern Legal and Political EvolutionJohn Witte: Introduction -
Christoph Strohm: Philosophical, Juridical and Scientific Arguments in Protestant Concepts of Law -
Mathias Schmoeckel: Education by Means of Law: The Reformation and the Idea of Codification -
John Witte: A Demonstrative Theory of Natural Law: Johannes Althusius and the Rise of Calvinist Jurisprudence -
Harold J. Berman: Integrative Jurisprudence
4. Moral Laws and Moral SkepticismChristiane Tietz/Gregor Etzelmüller: Introduction -
Wentzel van Huyssteen: Construction and Constraint: What Do the Laws of Nature Teach Us about Moral Laws? -
Rüdiger Bittner: Without Laws -
Christiane Tietz: Why Should Naturally Given Moral Laws Exist? Reconsidering Theological Arguments for Natural Laws -
Wang Liuer: Natural Law and Chinese Traditions
