From Violence to Peace: Theology, Law and Community
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| Anteprima |
This
book contributes to the literature on jurisprudence and theology by
arguing for the role of a theoretically robust Christian theology in a
legal community dominated by secular and liberal ideology. It is not a
doctrinal or empirical analysis, but a theoretical exposition of the way
in which modern law has contingently drifted from its theological
origins. As a result, the legal system and the ideal of individual and
communal relationship it envisages is characterised by antagonism and
alienation, or more broadly, violence. The book contends that the way to
restore a legal community of peace is to return to a Christian theology
which is informed by Trinitarian thinking or the notion of unity in
diversity, and reunites faith with reason. Returning reason to its
ground in being allows peaceful persuasion by the revelation of God's
perfect being through the Trinity and Incarnation, which models and
enables the peaceful coexistence of difference through self-sacrificing
love. This in turn produces the law of love – to love your neighbour as
yourself. Since love does no wrong to a neighbour, a legal community
operating by the law of love can fulfil the obligations of law by going
beyond merely what is required by law and love individuals as part of a
community.
