St. Paul, the Natural Law, and Contemporary Legal Theory

Edited by Jane Adolphe, Robert Fastiggi, Michael Vacca

Publication date:

22 March 2012

Length of book:

254 pages

Publisher

Lexington Books

ISBN-13: 9780739168578

The editors of this unique collection of essays exploring the relationship of St. Paul and the natural law bring together contributions by scripture scholars, theologians, philosophers, and international lawyers. Inspired by the special Jubilee Year from June 2008 to June 2009 – proclaimed by Pope Benedict XVI to celebrate the 2,000-year anniversary of the birth of St. Paul – the chapters in this book are the fruit of the contributors’ collaboration during the celebration of the Year of St. Paul. They share a common appreciation of the natural law as a basis for civil law and contemporary legal theory, and each chapter examines the foundations of the natural law – particularly in the writings of St. Paul – giving special recognition to the Catholic contributions to natural law and contemporary legal theory.

Preface
by Rev. John J. Coughlin, O.F.M.
Introduction
Chapter 1: St. Paul: Between the Law of Caesar and the Justice of Christ in Second Timothy
by Rev. Richard J. Cassidy
Response
by Patrick Quirk
Chapter 2: St. Paul, the Natural Law, and the Catholic Tradition
by Robert L. Fastiggi
Response
by Brian Scarnecchia
Chapter 3: TheWisdom of the Greeks vs. theWisdom of Christ in St. Paul
by Rev. Earl Muller, S.J.
Response
by Patrick Gillen
Chapter 4: The New Man: Nature, Sin, and Grace in St. Paul
by Eduardo Echeverria
Response
by Charles Lugosi
Chapter 5: TheWestern Legal Tradition: Its Contemporary Crisis, and Pauline Diagnosis
by Philip Blosser
Response
by Rev. Joseph Isanga
Chapter 6: St. Paul, Ephesians 5 and Same-Sex Marriage
by Mary Healy
Response
by Jane Adolphe
Chapter 7: The International Theological Commission and the Natural Law
by Rev. John M. McDermott, S.J.

This book possesses the best qualities of St. Paul. Both are fiercely devoted to the rewarding work of seeking to understand the world today in light of the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Both have the courage to meet the currently thorniest questions with sophisticated intellectual arguments that also ‘ring true.’