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

St. Paul, the Natural Law and Contemporary Legal Theory is a unique collection of essays exploring the relationship of St. Paul and the natural law. It brings together contributions by scripture scholars, theologians, philosophers and international lawyers. The volume owes its inspiration to the special Jubilee Year (June, 2008-June, 2009) proclaimed by Pope Benedict XVI to celebrate the 2,000-year anniversary of the birth of St. Paul. The essays in this book are the fruit of the celebration of the Year of St. Paul undertaken by Ave Maria School of Law and Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit. Between October 2008 and April 2009, a lecture series was held at the law school featuring speakers from the seminary and respondents from the law school. The volume consists of a preface, an introduction, seven chapters, and six responses (one to each of the six chapters). The contributors share a common appreciation of the natural law as a basis for civil law and contemporary legal theory. In each chapter, they examine the foundations of the natural law in the Bible, especially the writings of St. Paul. This text gives special recognition of the Catholic contributions to the natural law and contemporary legal theory.

Jane Adoplphe LLB/B.C.L, J.C.D., is associate professor of law at Ave Maria School of Law, Naples, Florida. Robert Fastiggi, PhD, is professor of systematic theology at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, Michigan. Michael Vacca JD, is a graduate of Hillsdale College, Hillsdale, Michigan, and Ave Maria School of Law, Naples, Florida.