An excellent post by John Stackhouse about the Manhattan Declaration.
Author: David Opderbeck
My second post on “law” is up at the Jesus Creed.
- Just signed a book contract with Ashgate for my critical realist approach to IP policy — who knew, 43 years ago today when I was born? #
- Hair blows in the wind
After years there is still wind
Sadly no more hair
— Herman Van Rompuy # - Tired of sitting in traffic, traffic, traffic #
- “Although … preaching reveals him to the godless and brings them to faith, when Christ rose, he did not turn into words.” J. Moltmann #
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My second post on ID and Law is up at Science and the Sacred.
My first post in the “Law” series is up on Jesus Creed.
Last week we held the Religious Legal Theory: The State of the Field conference at the law school. I’m incredibly gratified at how the conference went. Organizing this conference was, in fact, one of the most satisfying projects of my professional career.
This was a unique conference in that we focused on legal theory from an ecumenically religious perspective. The keynote speakers included Christian, Jewish, and Muslim scholars, and presenters included Catholics, Evangelicals, Presbyterians, Mormons, Buddhists, and others. None of the speakers or presenters minimized their own faith distinctives — indeed, many of the presentations were explicitly theological — and yet we found common ground in the desire to develop legal theory that acknowledges, celebrates, and integrates religious distinctives. It was a thrill to see all these diverse scholars interacting with each other in peace. This mood was summarized nicely by a scripture I read at the start of the conference’s second day: And the word of the Lord came again to Zechariah: “This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. In your hearts do not think evil of each other.” (Zech. 7:8-10).
Ok, I know it’s maybe a bit too snarky, but those of us who grew up in certain kinds of churches will greatly appreciate the Semi-Pelagian Narrower Catechism. (Let me say, sincerely, that I offer this having laughed warmly, and not angrily, as I read it.)
I’m too busy at work to comment in detail, but I stumbled on an excellent series by David Congdon at The Fire and the Rose on the “Heresies of Evangelicalism” this morning. I would suggest that “evangelical” theology is changing in many ways that address some of these “heresies.” Nevertheless, Congdon articulates almost perfectly a number of concerns that have nagged at me for years. I also particularly appreciate the spirit in which Congdon offers the series: “Let me remind my readers that this series is not intended to condemn the church but to prod it toward maturity in the faith. We live in an age in which the line between piety and idolatry is very thin indeed. We must be diligent in weeding out “everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles” (Heb. 12:1), but never at the expense of Christian charity toward all, especially toward those with whom we most disagree. Toward that end, I offer this series in the hope that churches in America will proclaim the gospel with clarity and integrity.” Amen.
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Religious Legal Theory Conference
Tonight kicks off the “Religious Legal Theory: The State of the Field” conference that I organized along with my colleagues Angela Carmella and John Coverdale. The conference will explore religious perspectives on legal theory from a variety of backgrounds, including Christian (both Catholic and Protestant), Jewish, Muslim, Mormon, Buddhist, and Hindu. I’m very excited about hearing from and meeting all our speakers.