The Reformation of Rights: Law, Religion and Human Rights in Early Modern Calvinism

John Calvin developed arresting new teachings on rights and liberties, church and state, and religion and politics that shaped the law of Protestant lands. Calvin's original teachings were periodically challenged by major crises - the French Wars of Religion, Dutch Revolt, the English Civil War, American colonization, and American Revolution. In each such crisis moment, a major Calvinist figure emerged - Theodore Beza, Johannes Althusius, John Milton, John Winthrop, John Adams, and others - who modernized Calvin's teachings and translated them into dramatic new legal and political reforms. This rendered early modern Calvinism one of the driving engines of Western constitutionalism. A number of basic Western laws on religious and political rights, social and confessional pluralism, federalism and constitutionalism, and more owe a great deal to this religious movement. This book is essential reading for scholars and students of history, law, religion, politics, ethics, human rights, and the Protestant Reformation.

Author: John Witte Jr
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Published: 02/04/2008
Pages: 406
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.65lbs
Size: 8.90h x 6.00w x 1.10d
ISBN: 9780521818421

Review Citation(s):
Books & Culture 01/01/2009 pg. 28

About the Author
Witte Jr, John: - John Witte, Jr is Jonas Robitscher Professor of Law and Director of the Center for the Study of Law and Religion at Emory University. His many publications include Law and Protestantism (2002).Witte Jr, John: - John Witte, Jr is Jonas Robitscher Professor of Law and Director of the Center for the Study of Law and Religion at Emory University. His many publications include Law and Protestantism (2002).