Journal of Christian Legal Thought
Spring 2025
Introduction
The new Journal of Christian Legal Thought is out! The theme for this volume is “Christ and the Common Life.” What began as an attempt to combine the role of law and faith in the development of community life, ended up being a fascinating (and timely) discussion on the contribution of jurists, community leaders, and attorneys working in Latin America. Countries of interest included Puerto Rico, Mexico, Cuba, and a wonderful submission from our friends in Singapore.
Articles included:
Faith Misplaced by Seow Hon Tan
Advocating for Jubilee in the Midst of Colonization by Alvin Velazquez
The Shaping of Law Through Imagination by Emily A. Cole
Jesus is the Blueprint of My Heart by Destiny Herndon-De La Rosa
As a short synapsis, Seow’s piece tackles the challenge and irony perhaps of religious life and the argument of some that Christianity should not bring its doctrines to the public square as form of legal and social reasoning. Alvin offers a look into the Puerto Rico debt crisis and his role in helping restore the fabric of that community and its financial sustainability. Emily’s piece discusses the role of the poetic imagination as a bridge between the customs of Latin American nations and the lawmaking potential therein. And finally, Destiny offers a short reflection on her work along the U.S.-Mexico border, specifically running the Stellar Shelter in Juárez for women and children seeking a temporary home as they seek asylum (see video below).
The Student Note submission from Jose Pablo Sanchez looks at the development of Mexico’s Constitution as it relates to the free exercise of religion. He shows an ongoing effort by public officials to whitewash the public square of semblances of Christianity, while offering support for other forms of religious life.
The Dialogue section hosted a conversation with Luke Bretherton on his seminal work, Christ and the Common Life. It was a robust discussion on political theology and community life—with nuanced responses on topics ranging from political domination, eschatology, agency, and more.
Finally, we also had two Book Reviews. The first looks at a recent publication by three authors entitled Hopeful Realism: Evangelical Natural Law and Democratic Politics. Thank you to Daniel Darling for his incisive review of an excellent new book considering the best way for Christians to engage public life. The second book compliments the first, this time focusing on the various ways Christians can engage in constructive dialogue across difference. The book is called Habits of a Peacemaker: 10 Habits to Change Our Potentially Toxic Conversations into Healthy Dialogues, written by law professor Steven T. Collis at the University of Texas. Thank you to Candace McCune for her thoughtful review on an important book.
Special Features?
We also had one novel feature for this volume. It was the Keynote Address by Kristina Arriaga at the second annual John Witte, Jr. Lectures on Christianity and Law.
Kristina offers a wonderful historical look at the contribution of Cuban Christian jurists to the development of our human rights framework. Video here.
For more on the lecture series, go here.
READ THE JOURNAL HERE.
This issue looks real good, Anton!