This scholarly book demonstrates that despite the current diversity in our Anglo-American society, Christian ethics have played a major role in shaping the law with regard to moral issues.

Publisher Comments

Category: Law Of Interest: A History of the American Bar Law: Its Origin, Growth and Function Legal Lore: Curiosities of Law and Lawyers Men and Books Famous in the Law Readings in American Legal History Readings in Jurisprudence and Legal PhilosophyThe Reasonableness of the Law The Successful Practice of Law

Many Christians still look to the law to enforce Christian standards of morality and social behavior, particularly with regard to respect for the human person and concern for human rights. This book examines such interplay in a liberal society, namely that of the Anglo-American tradition. After stating some general principles governing the relationship between Christian morality and the law in England and the United States, the author examines several contemporary legal-moral issues: contraception, artificial insemination, human sterilization, homosexuality, suicide, and euthanasia and the role that religion can, and sometimes does, play in their legal interpretation.

From the back cover blurb:

After formulating some general principles governing the relationship between Christian morality and the law in England and the United States, particular controversial legal-moral problems are examined. These important subjects, still at the forefront today, include the control of conception, artificial insemination, human sterilization, homosexuality, suicide and euthanasia. The role that the state and the church should play in the formulation of legal policy is suggested.

Original Reviews:

From the Spectator, March 31, 1961, p. 449
"The great merit of Mr. St. John-Stevas's book lies in the remarkable lucidity with which he organizes a vast amount of material, legal, theological and scientific, all of which he regards as relevant to the proper settlement of the issues he discusses... he is not merely learned about Catholic teaching, he is totally clear and honest in its exposition."

From the Times (London) Literary Supplement, March 24, 1961, p. 182
"This is a scholarly and temperate book, admirably documented, which provides a necessary guide not only to new attitudes to the moral law and to the legislation which reflects them but also to the christian tradition in its work of judgment."

From the New Statesman, Vol. 61, p. 480, March 24, 1961
"In spite of the forest of details, a very high standard of lucidity is maintained. The book will serve as a vade mecum for anyone of progressive views anxious to go into battle against the existing law.

Norman St. John-Stevas was born in 1929. He was a Member of Parliament for Chelmsford from 1964 to 1987. He was the leader of the House of Commons from 1979 to 1981. Among other involvements, he served as Minister of State for the Arts and as the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. In 1995, he became Lord St. John of Fawsley.

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