Rendering to Caesar and God : St Paul, the natural law tradition and the authority of law


Autoria(s): Deagon, Alex
Data(s)

2014

Resumo

The question of the authority of law has occupied and vexed the literature and philosophy of law for centuries. Law is something that characteristically implies obedience, but the precise nature of law’s authority remains contentious. The return to the writings of the Apostle Paul in contemporary philosophy, theology and jurisprudence begs attention in relation to the authority of law, and so this article will consider his analysis and critique of law with a focus on his Epistle to the Romans. It argues that Paul’s conception of the authority of law is explained on the basis that the law is from God, it externally sanctions obedience by virtue of the civil authorities, and it convicts internally in conscience. This triad is justified by the law of love (‘‘love your neighbor as yourself’’), and will be explained in relation to the natural law tradition as well as converse ideas in positivism. Hence, considering the reasoning of Paul in relation to traditional jurisprudential themes and the law of love provides a useful alternative analysis and basis for further investigation regarding the authority of law and the need for its obedience.

Formato

application/pdf

Identificador

http://eprints.qut.edu.au/79409/

Publicador

Sage Publications Ltd.

Relação

http://eprints.qut.edu.au/79409/1/79409_acceptedVersion.pdf

DOI:10.1177/1743872114524324

Deagon, Alex (2014) Rendering to Caesar and God : St Paul, the natural law tradition and the authority of law. Law, Culture and the Humanities. (In Press)

Direitos

Copyright 2014 The Author

Fonte

Faculty of Law

Palavras-Chave #180000 LAW AND LEGAL STUDIES #220401 Christian Studies (incl. Biblical Studies and Church History) #Paul #Law #Love #Authority
Tipo

Journal Article