Biblical Natural Law: A Theocentric and Teleological ApproachNatural law theory is controversial today because it presumes that there is a stable 'human nature' that is subject to a 'law.' How do we know that 'human nature' is stable and not ever-evolving? How can we expect 'law' not to constrict human freedom and potential? Furthermore if there is a 'law,' there must be a lawgiver. Matthew Levering argues that natural law theory makes sense only within a broader worldview, and that the Bible sketches both such a persuasive worldview and an account of natural law that offers an exciting portrait of the moral life. To establish the relevance of biblical readings to the wider philosophical debate on natural law, this study offers an overview of modern natural law theories from Cicero to Nietzsche, which reverse the biblical portrait by placing human beings at the center of the moral universe. Whereas the biblical portrait of natural law is other-directed, ordered to self-giving love, the modern accounts turn inward upon the self. Drawing on the thought of St. Thomas Aquinas, Levering employs theological and philosophical investigation to achieve a contemporary doctrine of natural law that accords with the biblical witness to a loving Creator who draws human beings to share in the divine life. This book provides both an introduction to natural law theory and a compelling challenge to re-think current biblical scholarship on the topic. |
Contents
| 1 | |
1 The Bible and Natural Law | 22 |
2 Anthropocentric Natural Law | 69 |
3 Natural Law and Natural Inclinations | 140 |
4 Natural Law and the Order of Charity | 189 |
Other editions - View all
Biblical Natural Law: A Theocentric and Teleological Approach Matthew Levering No preview available - 2012 |
Common terms and phrases
account of natural acts affirms America Press animals anthropocentric Aquinas's argues Augustine autonomy Balthasar Barth Barton bodily body Catholic University Christ Christian Ethics Cicero command communion constituted created order creation creatures David Novak Decalogue Descartes divine law ecstasis ecstatic Eerdmans freedom fulfilment God’s grace Grand Rapids happiness Hays Hegel Hittinger Hobbes Holy Spirit human nature human person Hume I-II I–II Ibid imago imago dei Jesus John John Finnis Kant law and natural law of nature McAleer metaphysical modern Moral Theology natural inclinations natural law doctrine Natural Law Theory Nietzsche norms Novak observes Old Testament Oxford participation Paul Philosophy Pinckaers political positive law practical reason precepts principles rational reflection regard Rhonheimer Rousseau self-giving self-preservation sexual soul Stanley Hauerwas story Summa Theologiae teleological teleological ordering theocentric things Thomas Aquinas Thomist Torah tradition transcendent Truth of Subjectivity understanding University of America Verhey Veritatis Splendor virtue wisdom literature