Redeeming Law

Two New Books on Vocation

2012-01-05T13:45:00.010-05:00

I had planned on posting reviews of these books as soon as I read them later this month, but there are some good reviews out there already, and I want to make sure you have these on your radar, even though I haven't started reading either of them.

Amy L. Sherman, Kingdom Calling: Vocational Stewardship for the Common Good (IVP 2011).

Perhaps the best tip I can give is to send you to Steve Bishop's always excellent blog for his multi-part summary and review. He posted Part 2 today (this is what made me give up waiting and send you over to him . . . .). Part 1 was posted Tuesday, and his introduction and overview will help you decide if you need to get the book yourself.

If that isn't enough, here's Tom Grosh's encouragement to embrace Vocational Stewardship for the New Year.

Next in the stocking:

Tom Nelson, Work Matters: Connecting Sunday Worship to Monday Work (Crossway 2011).

Again start with Steve Bishop's helpful review, then move on to his practical suggestions inspired by Nelson. Wonderful!

You might also enjoy the interview with Nelson about the book over at the Gospel Coalition and the short review from the Washington Institue for Faith, Vocation & Culture (do you know the Washington Institute, founded by Dr. Steven Garber? If not, you need to. Stop and go here.)

(Isn't the church a kick? You're getting encouraged in your vocation by a brother (Nelson) and sister (Sherman) who took the effort to write down their thoughts, through a guy who hasn't lifted a finger (yet) to read the books, who is encouraged to do so by another brother in the UK, whose reviews you are now reading . . . anyway, I enjoy being part of this mutual encouragement to use our gifts and resources to the glory of the kingdom).

I hope to add to the conversation as we move forward, and please let me know what you think of these books, and I'll post your thoughts (or you can, in the comments).

If you are looking for something on vocation that has a focus on and suggestions for lawyers, specifically, have a look at my Redeeming Law: Christian Calling and the Legal Profession (IVP 2007). While I cite many of the same sources that Sherman and Nelson do, I think their practical suggestions-- and Sherman's stories of workers doing real kindgom work-- will be helpful in building on the theoretical framework I try to set for walking out the lawyer's calling in the study or practice of law. (To my delight, Steve Bishop included Redeeming Law on his Top Books of 2011 (!) list, and my friend Byron Borger at the important Hearts and Minds Books included it in one of his recommended gift lists! It's great to have friends).

The Holy Innocents

2011-12-28T12:37:00.005-05:00

Today is the feast day on which the Church remembers the slaughter of innocent children by Herod in his maniacal search for the King revealed to him by the visiting Magi.

Bobby Gross puts it this way in Living the Christian Year: Time to Inhabit the Story of God (IVP 2009):

"To remember Herod’s atrocity is to strip sentimentality from the birth of Christ. On this day we confront the evil in our world, the violence of the powerful against the weak, the sorrow of those who suffer injustice, and the very real darkness into which the light shines." (69)

At this time of remembering the light, we often forget our darkness-- the darkness that made it necessary for a Redeemer to come as one of us.

The Coventry Carol, which we hear often at Christmas but rarely listen to, is about the Innocents:

Lully, lullay, Thou little tiny Child,
Bye, bye, lully, lullay.
Lullay, thou little tiny Child,
Bye, bye, lully, lullay.

O sisters too, how may we do,
For to preserve this day
This poor youngling for whom we do sing
Bye, bye, lully, lullay.

Herod, the king, in his raging,
Charged he hath this day
His men of might, in his own sight,
All young children to slay.

That woe is me, poor Child for Thee!
And ever mourn and sigh,
For thy parting neither say nor sing,
Bye, bye, lully, lullay.

Here is a beautiful rendition by the lovely soprano-lute duo, Valeria Mignaco and Aflonso Marin.

I'll close with the Collect for today from the Book of Common Prayer, so that we may join the collected voices of the people of God in praying for justice:

We remember today, O God, the slaughter of the holy innocents of Bethlehem by King Herod. Receive, we pray, into the arms of your mercy all innocent victims; and by your great might frustrate the designs of evil tyrants and establish your rule of justice, love, and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Exemplars of Good Legal Writing - The Green Bag

2011-12-20T11:45:00.010-05:00

The board of advisers of The Green Bag has selected "exemplars of good legal writing from the year just passed." They honor exemplars in seven categories, Opinions of the Court, Dissents/Concurrences, Books, Long Articles, Short Articles, News & Editorial, and Miscellany.

Congratulations to Professor Michael McConnell, recognized for a wonderful short piece about Professor Larry Tribe's scholarly integrity in this summer's debt ceiling discussions. McConnell's simple eloquence (and his typical grace to a colleague with whom he often disagrees) is obvious even in six short paragraphs.

In Books, the board recognized The Collapse of American Criminal Justice (Harvard 2011) by William Stuntz, the beloved Harvard Law Professor who passed away in March. I haven't read it yet, but Justice Stevens has. His conclusion, in his New York Review of Books essay:

Professor Stuntz’s account of the “collapse” of an overgrown system of criminal law enforcement is well worth reading. It is full of interesting historical discussion. It accurately describes the magnitude of the twin injustices in the administration of our criminal law. It should motivate voters and legislators to take action to minimize those injustices.

I imagine they are all well worth reading (hey, The Green Bag knows its stuff), but I was also particularly drawn to Adam White's interesting profile of Justice Alito in the Weekly Standard, The Burkean Justice, recognized as exemplary writing in the Short Articles category.

HT: Thanks to my colleague Kim Colby for bringing this list to my attention.

Christopher Hitchens, 1949-2011

2011-12-16T01:41:00.008-05:00

I have written about the talent and genius-- and half-cocked contrarian-ness-- of Christopher Hitchens, here and here, and about his battle with cancer. He died last night, having lost that battle.

May the Lord have mercy on him, and may he-- somehow by the grace of God-- rest in peace.

A friend put it this way to me last night as we lamented: "When I heard, I cried for him, and for his soul." Me, too.

The obituaries and tributes in Vanity Fair and NPR, among others, are worth reading, but my favorite is the Christianity Today obituary by Doug Wilson. Wilson traveled with Hitchens as part of Hitchens's plan to promote his (absolute worst) book, God is Not Great. Their debates became a series of interesting articles in CT, another book (Is Christianity Good for the World?), and eventually the compelling documentary, Collision.

Read the whole obituary, but here is Wilson's close:

Christopher Hitchens was baptized in his infancy, and his name means "Christ-bearer." This created an enormous burden that he tried to shake off his entire life. No creature can ever succeed in doing this. But sometimes, in the kindness of God, such failures can have a gracious twist at the end. We therefore commend Christopher to the Judge of the whole earth, who will certainly do right. Christopher Eric Hitchens (1949-2011). R.I.P.

We do indeed.

Which Law School Should I Choose?

2011-12-13T10:55:00.002-05:00

Here is the final installment of my conversation with Wheaton Professor Stephen Bretsen. Our topic is "Choosing a Law School."

Find further resources at the Wheaton College Prelaw page or at the Regent University School of Law website.

Journal of Christian Legal Thought, Volume 1, No. 3

2011-12-12T14:51:00.005-05:00

The electronic version of the Journal of Christian Legal Thought is out. Access it here.

In this issue, there is a full edition of Scott Pryor's excellent essay, The Law of Contracts: A Place to Start, which serves as a primer for anyone who desires to see human law better conform to the justice of God.

Professor Pryor begins by outlining briefly the contextual foundations of Love, Sin, and Justice, and the historical matrix of creation-fall-redemption-consummation. He then builds on those foundations by discussing four doctrines in the context of Contract law:

The Creator-Creature Distinction

The Covenantal Structure of Understanding

The Law of God

Sin

He concludes with three interpretive perspectives by which we might begin applying the parts of the law of contracts to the "whole" described by the four doctrines.

You will also find Kim Colby's regular column, Speaking of Religious Freedom, in which she discusses the assault on pluralism signaled by the situation at Vanderbilt University and the Bronx Household of Faith case.

Your comments and submissions are welcome.

Pre-Law Advice Part 4: The Personal Statement

2011-12-12T12:46:00.002-05:00

Among the brilliant insights that Professor Bretsen and I offer in this short clip: "No poetry." And "don't be creepy."

Advice on the Nuts & Bolts of the Law School Application

2011-12-10T16:41:00.004-05:00

Here is part three of my conversation with Wheaton's Steve Bretsen on applying for law school.

Some Bad Reasons to Go to Law School

2011-12-09T14:56:00.004-05:00

Part 2 of my conversation with Professor Stephen Bretsen:

Wheaton Prof Steve Bretsen on Thinking About Law School

2011-12-08T23:19:00.005-05:00

Earlier this semester, I had the chance to sit down and talk law school with my friend Stephen Bretsen, William Volkman Professor of Business and Law, Department Chair and Prelaw Advisor at Wheaton College. We made a short video as we discussed the advice that he gives Christian undergraduates as they consider law school as a next step. I think you'll enjoy our conversation.

I've divided our discussion into five short videos, 4 to 6 minutes each, and I'll be posting them between now and Tuesday. Here's the breakdown:

Part 1: Thinking about the Marriage, not Just the Wedding

Part 2: Bad Reasons and a Good Reason to Go to Law School

Part 3: Nuts and Bolts of Applying to Law School

Part 4: The (Dreaded) Personal Statement

Part 5: Choosing a Law School

Here's Part 1

Work Can Be Worship - Even for Lawyers

2011-09-22T12:27:00.001-04:00

HT: Steve Bishop's An Accidental Blog

Weekend Wanderings

2011-08-07T11:51:00.003-04:00

In case your Google reader is backed up, here are some links to get your week started:

Peter Leithart, Torah and Social Justice over at On the Square at First Things. A thoughtful piece on one of my favorite (and least favorite) topics, "social" justice. HT to Professor Pryor at PryorThoughts.

Jordan Ballor, Which Church? Whose Justice? at the Acton Institute PowerBlog.

Another terrible Ninth Circuit decision. The court holds that public university administrators may apply non-discrimination policies to student religious groups that discriminate on the basis of religion, even while allowing other student groups to restrict membership to those who hold particular beliefs. Any group, in other words, may exclude from leadership or membership anyone who does not subscribe to the group's ideology-- unless the group is a religious group, formed on the basis of "ideology." There is a clear split in the circuits now on this question, so it may be ripe for Supreme Court review. (Here is Steve Shiffrin at MOJ describing the issue).

J. Mark Bertrand, Pattern of Wounds. Bertrand's second installment in the Roland March series is getting great press, and deservedly so. If you like crime fiction, thrillers, cop stuff, noir fiction, mysteries, or any good read, pick up his first March novel, Back on Murder, then move on to Pattern of Wounds. Great stories, compelling characters, and wonderful dialogue. Add Bertrand's rich, but subtly-woven themes surrounding man's search for understanding in the face of the real evil and suffering-- and good-- in the world, and you have the complete package. Have a listen to the Books & Culture podcast and read Lars Walker's recent review of Back on Murder.

J.S. Bach, d. July 28, 1750

2011-07-28T18:43:00.006-04:00

Praying the daily office today reminded me that today we remember the life and ministry of J.S. Bach. I'm glad he was born, aren't you?

In addition to posting a note on his Facebook wall, I'll share this prayer from the Daily Office at the Mission of St. Clare website:

Almighty God, beautiful in majesty, majestic in holiness, who have shown us the splendor of creation in the work of your servant Johann Sebastian Bach: Teach us to drive from the world the ugliness of chaos and disorder, that our eyes may not be blind to your glory, and that at length everyone may know the inexhaustible richness of your new creation in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

(written by James Kiefer)

A Study in Worldview Hypocrisy

2011-07-22T12:32:00.007-04:00

I am in Seattle this week with Worldview Academy, and I stopped by Left Bank Books, a cooperative up Pike Street from Pike Place near the Public Market.

The disheveled shop had small sections with standard bookstore stock-- fiction, literature, biography-- but most of the space was reserved for edgy, "radical" (yet so culturally-hip!) social commentary.

The biggest section was the "Anarchist Books." Apparently, however, a problem for the book co-op is that the anarchists don't cooperate, so to speak. The books keep disappearing. To combat this problem, three signs are posted in the anarchist section. Here are the first two:

In other words:

"Practice what you preach . . . just not in our store!"

"Property is theft! Unless it is 'our property'"!

"We love anarchy! But only in theory!"

The anarchist worldview is apparently worth peddling, but not worth actually practicing.

The final sign read:

IF YOU MUST STEAL,

STEAL

FROM A RICHLY STOCKED

CORPORATE BOOKSTORE

Wow.

Let's face it: we are all hypocrites sometimes. I know that I don't always practice what I preach, and that I am often inconsistent . . . or just plain wrong.

But I don't think I'm ever this funny.

Getting Ready for Law School? Get Your Mind Right

2011-07-19T15:07:00.003-04:00

It's that time of year to talk about getting your mind right for law school. Here's a thoughtful piece from Laura Bergus over at Lawyerist.

Her gist is this: don't get lost in the drudgery and the difficulties. Instead, keep your head. Remember why you went to law school, keep your priorities and original vision, and don't forget to reflect regularly on who you are and what you're doing. Not her words, exactly, so read the short piece yourself.

More on this topic in the weeks to come.

And, by the way, my best advice for prospective law students: If you are not sure you should be going to law school . . . DON'T. Wait until you know.

The Christian Lawyer and Law Students and The Road

2011-07-07T20:19:00.007-04:00

The latest edition of The Christian Lawyer magazine is out and available in full edition online.

My article, "Law Students on The Road" is featured on page 22. I attempt to apply lessons from Cormac McCarthy's novel to student groups gathering on campus.

Heres a tidbit:

Many law students are pressed and discouraged by their law school experience, and they form or join a CLS group to find encouragement, rest, and Christian friendship. While I am pleased that these groups exist to encourage harried and attacked students, they are by definition inwardly focused and miss out on so much of what a student fellowship can be.

Toward the end of The Road, we figure out that it will be impossible for the father to transition from survival mode in order to attach to a community that can nurture and help his son begin to flourish as a human being. In our law school groups, there is a place for sheltering those who need to “simply survive.” It should never, however, be our main mission, and we should be committed to helping our group transition out of bunker mentality into witnessing community as quickly as possible.

The Journal of Christian Legal Thought

2011-06-29T13:18:00.011-04:00

This month the Institute for Christian Legal Studies published the inaugural issue of the Journal of Christian Thought, available in hard copy (to Christian Legal Society members) and in full electronic version at no cost. The mission of the Journal is to equip and encourage legal professionals to seek and study biblical truth as it relates to law, the practice of law, and legal institutions.

We hope to provide practitioners and students a vehicle through which to engage Christian legal scholarship that will enhance theological reflection about the law and the lawyer's work, and, in addition, to provide legal scholars a medium through which to explore the law in light of Scripture, under the broad influence of the doctrines and creeds of the Christian faith and on the shoulders of the communion of saints across the ages.

The Journal will usually feature two or three scholarly articles, abstracted in the print edition and available in full online. But we decided to make the first issue a special one, highlighting works that a variety of scholars view as important to the project of cultivating Christian legal thought. So we approached a number of Christian professors and theologians, and asked each to write 500 words on a book or article of his or her choice, “helpful to the project of cultivating Christian legal thought.” The result is a collection of 31 very short essays that give a diversity of expression to the concept of Christian legal thought.

The collection has a nice range: from broadly theological foundations—both Roman Catholic (Newman and John Paul II) and Protestant (Calvin and Kuyper) perspectives—to narrow practice areas (Climate Change and International Law), to sophisticated integration of the two (Uelmen’s Toward a Trinitarian Theory of Products Liability, and Craig Stern on Jeff Tuomala’s Christ’s Atonement as the Model for Civil Justice).

The essays cover a variety of sources for, perspectives on, and approaches to Christian thinking about law and legal institutions. Some essays address the body of work of an important thinker, others only one book or article. From the broadly philosophical to the very practical, there is something of interest here for every lawyer and law student.

I'd love to hear from readers with suggestions and ideas for future issues. Let me know what you think!

Some Thoughts for HS Graduates

2011-06-20T17:00:00.004-04:00

I was honored last Friday to be able to speak at the commencement exercises for Hampton Christian High School in Hampton, VA. My niece was class co-valedictorian. Congratulations, Ashley!

I took a contrarian approach, at least as concerns graduation speeches, and began with the bad news:

God is not on your side (Joshua 5:13-16)
You're not basically good kids (Romans 3, et al)
You can't be anything you want to be, even if 'you set your mind to it' (Eph. 2:10)

I finished with this, reminding them that the most important thing about their future was whether they really believe that God loves them and can really bring about all He desires for them:

"You are in the same position as Joshua, at his commencement. He never would have seen the power of God demonstrated in his life if he thought that he was basically a good guy and that God needed to get with his program.

"So, the bad news: You cannot be anything you want to be. But thank God that his power and his goodness and his grace are so much bigger than our own desires and dreams. You CAN be all that HE calls you to be.

"Don’t “dream big dreams”—instead follow a Big and Gracious God in little ways, and he will do more than you can ever ask or imagine as you serve and love him.

"Don’t follow your heart to find your calling, your heart will lead you to disaster. Instead follow the Caller, who created you for a purpose that, when fulfilled, will both meet your deepest desires and challenge you in ways you can’t imagine."

Duke Law Conference on Theological Argument in Law

2011-06-03T12:56:00.001-04:00

Theological Argument in Law: Engaging With Stanley Hauerwas

Duke University School of Law
September 9, 2011

Topical Essays:

* Hauerwas and Legal Ethics, W. Bradley Wendel (Cornell)
* Hauerwas and Disability Law, Elizabeth R. Schiltz (St. Thomas)
* Hauerwas and Bioethics, Michael P. Moreland (Villanova)
* Crime, Criminals, and Hauerwasian Punishment, James Logan (Earlham, Religion)

Panel Chair: Paul J. Griffiths (Duke, Theology)

Broader Applications:

Hauerwas and the Sermon on the Mount, David A. Skeel (Penn)
Hauerwas and the Common Law, M. Cathleen Kaveny (Notre Dame, Law and Theology)
Hauerwas, Reconciliation and the Courts, Richard P. Church (private practice)

Panel Chair: Guy-Uriel Charles (Duke)

Legal and Political Theory:

Must Law Be Violent?, Stephen L. Carter (Yale)
Hauerwas and Dworkin: The Limits of Integrity, John D. Inazu (Wash U.)
In Defense of Liberal Public Reason, Stephen Macedo (Princeton, Politics)

Panel Chair: Ian Baucom (Duke, English)

Response:

Stanley Hauerwas (Duke, Theology)

Moderator: H. Jefferson Powell (George Washington)

Conference papers will be published in Volume 75, Issue 4 of Law & Contemporary Problems. Sponsored by the Franklin Humanities Institute, Washington University School of Law, the John C. Danforth Center on Religion and Politics, and Duke Law School’s Program on Public Law.

Shrinking Biglaw and Career Planning

2011-04-25T16:26:00.003-04:00

Professor Paul Caron, aka Taxprof, over at the always-worth-reading Taxprof Blog, has posted two items today that bear on our ongoing discussion of job markets, presuming on the future, and planning about law school.

First, he notes that the recent National Law Journal survey of the NL250, the largest law firms in the country, shows a continuing downward trend as BigLaw loses lawyers. TaxProf concludes:

"In the 34 years the NLJ has been surveying large firms to gather headcount numbers, there have never been multiyear declines of this magnitude."

Second, he quotes Stanford Law Dean Larry Kramer:

"Many college graduates jump into law school because they don’t know what they actually want to do. Parents and friends suggest it because they think it’s a safe default. But a grad should choose his life’s path only once he knows himself well enough to be sure of what he wants. I think people should first spend a few years exploring to figure out what engages their passions...."

I couldn't have said it any better myself.

If you are not sure how these two TaxProf posts are related, read them again, slowly.

The Lawyer's Calling: Meditations on 1 Pet 4:10-12

2011-04-22T14:00:00.002-04:00

I've shared these thoughts a few times, and here is a recording of my address on the topic to the Orange County Christian Legal Society chapter.

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another,as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 4:10-12)

I talk about what it might mean for lawyers to be "stewards" of God's grace in their ordinary practice, and what "gifts" we have received to use to that end.

San Jacinto Day!

2011-04-21T17:45:00.004-04:00

175 years ago today, Texans under General Sam Houston defeated Santa Anna and his army, avenging the deaths at the Alamo and the Goliad massacre, securing independence for the Republic of Texas and paving the way for the geographical expansion of the United States.

In about 18 minutes, an outnumbered force of 900 Texians routed the Mexican army, killing 600 and receiving the surrender of 700 more. The victory changed the course of the world, at least according to a plaque on San Jacinto monument:

"Measured by its results, San Jacinto was one of the decisive battles of the world. The freedom of Texas from Mexico won here led to annexation and to the Mexican War, resulting in the acquisition by the United States of the States of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Neva

da, California, Utah, and parts of Colorado, Wyoming, Kansas and Oklahoma. Almost one-third of the present area of the American nation, nearly a million square miles of territory, changed sovereignty."

Here is a detailed and scholarly account of the battle.

In honor of this great day, visit the San Jacinto Museum of History website, too.

Happy San Jacinto Day!

The Death Penalty and the Noahide Covenant

2011-04-06T11:19:00.007-04:00

Over at First Thoughts, Joe Carter evaluates a recent discussion on the death penalty, and lays out some principles that my readers will be familiar with.

He begins by quoting Roman Catholic philosopher Ed Feser:

"[T]the legitimacy in principle of capital punishment is grounded in natural law and in the infallible moral teaching of scripture, and is the consistent teaching of the Catholic Church from her foundation down to the present day.”

I not only agree with my Catholic brother that it is legitimate in principle, but would go further by claiming that the Bible requires the death penalty to be applied for certain crimes.

Unless we deal with the Noahide Covenant-- in particular, Genesis 9:6-- we cannot claim that the death penalty as 'unbiblical' or 'unchristian.' (Go here for my earlier discussions on this). Human dignity-- the imago Dei-- humans' image-bearing nature, carried both in the innocent victim and the civil ruler is, according to God, the basis for the death penalty, not a rationale against it.

"Whoever sheds the blood of man,
by man shall his blood be shed,
for God made man in his own image.

If capital punishment is unwisely or unjustly administered, we must hasten to repair the injustice and reform the system, even to abandon the practice, if needed. But in our discussions, we ought to take the words and teaching of the Word seriously.

An Accidental Blog Looks at Redeeming Law

2011-04-04T15:30:00.002-04:00

Over at the excellent An Accidental Blog, Steve Bishop has posted a very generous review of Redeeming Law. Thanks, Steve!

Take the time to browse the site, which I have done from time to time over the past year-- it is filled with gems on Christian worldview, study guides for difficult works of philosophy and politics, video and slide presentations, and fun posts on the application of (reformed) theology to ordinary life.

Annual Conference on Catholic Legal Thought

2011-04-01T18:26:00.004-04:00

The Sixth Annual Conference on Catholic Legal Thought is set for May 17-19, 2011 at the University of Oklahoma College of Law.

The lineup this year is extraordinary:

Paul Griffiths

The Essential St. Augustine for 21st Century Lawyers and Law Professors

John Breen, Kevin Lee, Lisa Schiltz

The City of Man: What role should law playing in infusing the City of Man with the City of God?

Mark Osler, Meghan Ryan, Susan Stabile

Forgiveness and Conversion: What should be the law’s attitude toward and treatment of post-conviction criminals?

Steven Smith

“The Disenchantment of Secular Discourse”

I plan to be there.