From Sacrament to Contract, Second Edition
Marriage, Religion, and Law in the Western Tradition
by John Witte Jr.
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Pub Date Jan 31 2012 | Archive Date Sep 01 2012
Description
This newly revised and enlarged edition of John Witte's authoritative historical study explores the interplay of law, theology, and marriage in the Western tradition. Witte uncovers the core beliefs that formed the theological genetic code of Western marriage and family law. He explores the systematic models of marriage developed by Catholics, Lutherans, Calvinists, Anglicans, and Enlightenment thinkers, and the transformative influence of each model on Western marriage law. In addition, he traces the millennium-long reduction of marriage from a complex spiritual, social, contractual, and natural institution into a simple private contract with freedom of entrance, exercise, and exit for husband and wife alike.
This second edition updates and expands each chapter and the bibliography. It also includes three new chapters on classical, biblical, and patristic sources.
Advance Praise
“A fascinating tour through the legal, philosophical, and religious ideas that have shaped and reshaped Western thinking about the relations between men and women.”
—Mary Ann Glendon, Learned Hand Professor of Law, Harvard University
“A magisterial work in the history of marriage, nuptial theology, and marriage law. John Witte is that rare combination of a first-rate legal scholar and a historical theologian.”
—David Novak, J. Richard and Dorothy Shiff Chair of Jewish Studies, University of Toronto
Praise for the first edition:
“This book should long be the standard reference for anyone interested in knowing how Europeans have sought to connect the personal and the public in the family life.”
—Donald W. Shriver, The Christian Century
“From Sacrament to Contract is a penetrating study of five conflicting models of marriage and their impact on domestic legislation and organization over the last millennium. Rarely has the interaction of religious belief, law, and marriage been so incisively illuminated. This book is a touchstone for a new intellectual history of religion.”
—Steven Ozment, McLean Professor of Ancient and Modern History, Harvard University
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9780664234324 |
| PRICE | $50.00 (USD) |
| PAGES | 409 |
