God, Justice, and Society
Aspects of Law and Legality in the Bible
Jonathan Burnside
Reviews and Awards
"A real tour de force in the area of biblical law. Legal historians, as well as biblical scholars, will remain in the author's debt for years to come as this book sets the mark for excellence in this field." - Prof. Walter C. Kaiser, Jr., Colman M. Mockler Emeritus Professor of Biblical Law and Old Testament, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
"God, Justice, and Society is an ambitious work that brings to the study of biblical law a rich, sensitive understanding of the cultural, linguistic, and theological landscape in which biblical law was developed. The result is a work of such depth and insight that it will be at the center of academic discussion for decades to come." - Rev. Prof. Dale. S. Kuehne, Department of Politics, Saint Anselm College
"In comparing biblical and modern English approaches to a range of legal subjects, Burnside draws on the former to challenge the latter. He succeeds in making a convincing case for the contemporary relevance of the study of biblical law. This is a book which deserves to inform and provoke legal, sociological and theological debate." - Sir Roger Toulson, Lord Justice of Appeal, The Court of Appeal, Her Majesty's Courts Service
"This is a first-rate vade mecum for students of law wishing to relate modern legal concepts to biblical legal principles. A series of areas of central, contemporary importance are discussed from a biblical perspective in substantial chapters rich in detail and explanation, in which the supralegal function of biblical law as 'wisdom' and as visionary in what it holds out to humanity emerges most clearly. Lawyers are used to handling heavy tomes; this sizeable introduction and its challenge to legal positivism should command a wide and appreciative readership." - Robert P. Gordon, Regius Professor of Hebrew, University of Cambridge
"God, Justice and Society comes as a timely challenge for us to rethink the whole purpose of law in society." - Prof. Carver T. Yu, President, China Graduate School of Theology