Editorial Introduction

in John Witte, Jr. and Gary S. Hauk, eds., Christianity and Family Law: An Introduction (Cambridge University Press, 2017), 1-15.

14 Pages Posted: 28 Dec 2017 Last revised: 19 Jul 2019

See all articles by John Witte

John Witte

Emory University School of Law

Gary S. Hauk

Emory University

Date Written: December 21, 2017

Abstract

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 helped to shape many of the basics of Western family law using its theologies of nature, sacrament, and covenant. This is the Introduction to a text that 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; 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.

Keywords: Marriage; family; family law; Western tradition; Bible; sex; sexuality; Augustine; John Chrysostom; Thomas Aquinas; Martin Luther; John Calvin; Mary Wollstonecraft; Abraham Kuyper; Pope Leo XIII; Pope John Paul II

Suggested Citation

Witte, John and Hauk, Gary, Editorial Introduction (December 21, 2017). in John Witte, Jr. and Gary S. Hauk, eds., Christianity and Family Law: An Introduction (Cambridge University Press, 2017), 1-15., Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3091873

John Witte (Contact Author)

Emory University School of Law ( email )

1301 Clifton Road
Atlanta, GA 30322
United States
404-727-6980 (Phone)
404-712-8605 (Fax)

Gary Hauk

Emory University

201 Dowman Drive
Atlanta, GA 30322
United States

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