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Religion Matters pp 231–243Cite as

Law, Religion, and Theology: A Relationship That Matters

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Abstract

This chapter examines why the relationship between law, religion, and theology matters. It contains four sections. The first explores why, in addition to sociology, we ought to be concerned to study the relationship between law and religion. If it is important, the second section suggests how we can go about studying this relationship. For that, we must make a distinction between ‘religion’ and ‘theology’. From that distinction, the third section suggests two methodological approaches for use in such study. And, finally, the chapter concludes with some brief reflections on the relationship between religion, theology, and law.

Earlier versions of parts of this chapter appeared as Babie (2007a, 2009). Sincere thanks to the publishers for permission to reproduce them here in this revised and updated form.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    The seminal works in this area, and those which masterfully summarise the historical evidence of this relationship, are those of Berman (1974, 1983, 1993). See also the stimulating collection of essays found in Pennock and Chapman (1988).

  2. 2.

    In relation to Judaic law: see, e.g., Litman (2005); in relation to Christian law, ZENIT (2005); in relation to Shari‘a law, Abou El Fadl (2001, 2004), Hussain (2011), Fyzee (1974), Rosen (2000), Rauf (2006), Emon (2005: 20).

  3. 3.

    And see also Freeman (2001: 120–3).

  4. 4.

    This is not an unknown approach in the American literature: see, e.g., Singer (2000).

  5. 5.

    This approach is known to the American academy through the integrative jurisprudence of scholars like Berman (1983: Chap. 13).

  6. 6.

    Preece’s fifth approach falls into both theology and law, and law and religion, because it is possible that in some cases, ethics may be founded upon theological assumptions, while in others they may draw upon the dogmatic teachings of a particular religion.

  7. 7.

    See, e.g., Church of the New Faith v Commissioner of Pay-Roll Tax (Vic) (1983) 154 CLR 120, in which the High Court of Australia dealt with the meaning of religion for the purposes of taxation laws.

  8. 8.

    See also Babie (2007b), Oliphant and Babie (2006), Babie (2002, 2004, 2006).

  9. 9.

    ‘Unlike scavenging and foraging, which tend to be individual enterprises with commercial potential, gleaning has almost always been communal and charitable. Its roots lie in the allocation of fair shares between individuals. The leavings of prosperity, the unneeded or overlooked fragments, are made available to those who need help, whether in dole at the monastery gate or from a sacking bag filled in a harvested field (The Economist 2018).’

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia

    Paul Babie

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  1. Paul Babie
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Correspondence to Paul Babie .

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  1. Adelaide Law School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia

    Paul Babie

  2. School of Law, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia

    Rick Sarre

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Babie, P. (2020). Law, Religion, and Theology: A Relationship That Matters. In: Babie, P., Sarre, R. (eds) Religion Matters. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-2489-9_14

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