What is the Law? Where does it get its authority? With unparalleled scope and minute detail; Historical Theological Foundations of Law studies the earliest origins of Law in the legal systems of ancient societies all across the earth; explores their common threads and differences; traces their development through history; and notes common trends that should cause hope or alarm today. Volume I: Ancient Wisdom. Book I; The Foundation begins by exploring the laws of ancient civilizations: Egyptian stability; Babylonian precision; Persian enlightenment; Indian philosophy; Chinese Taoism/Buddhism/Confucianism; Polynesian kapu; Incan absolutism and efficiency; Mayan oligarchy; Aztec judicial independence; Cheyenne volunteerism; and the Iroquois Confederacy's sage balancing of power. How did these systems arise? What are the trends? Polytheism to monotheism; or monotheism to polytheism? Decentralization or centralization of power? Fewer laws or more laws? Gentleness or brutality? Book II; The Cornerstone; focuses on a unique people who many believe have influenced the world more than any other. In a canon of 39 books; the Hebrews established the Tanakh (Old Testament). How did the Hebrew constitution function; and upon what precepts was it based? Are the Ten Commandments truly the foundation of Western Law? Why is their influence so often overlooked today? Volume II: Classical and Medieval. Book III; The Structure; turns to Greece and Rome. Hailed as the birthplace of democracy; the Athenian system was unstable; inefficient; and short-lived. Nevertheless; Plato laid a philosophical basis for natural law; and Aristotle provided a foundation for justice. Rome had a genius for law and organization; but the constitutional constraints of the Republic gradually gave way to the Empire. However; the followers of Christ; once a persecuted minority; came to rule the Empire and put a Christian stamp on Roman law. Out of Roman law the rise of the Canon law of the Church occurs. The Sharia law of Islam is also surveyed. Book IV; The Centerpiece; begins with the Dark Ages―the darkness of the womb; out of which was born the Common Law. From the Celtic mists; with the Druids and their Brehon lawyers; St. Patrick and the Senchus Mor; the Anglo-Saxons in the forests of Germany with their witans and juries which they brought to Britain; Alfred the Great who began his Book of Dooms with the Ten Commandments; to the Norman Conquest and the warfare between the centralizing Norman kings and their opponents; the precepts and institutions of the Common Law took form. What is the Common Law? If it is so common; why is it so seldom defined? How does it relate to Canon law or civil law? And is it Christian; Roman; or a fusion of both? Volume III: Reformation and Colonial. Book V; The Pinnacle; examines the Lutheran and Calvinist Reformations; whereby the doctrines of justification by grace through faith and the priesthood of all believers led to republican concepts of government by consent of the governed; social contract; God-given rights; and justified resistance against tyranny. Constitutional jurists such as Selden; Milton; Coke; Althusius; Grotius; Locke; Montesquieu; and Blackstone fused Biblical theology with the Common Law. To take root and grow; the Common Law needed fresh soil. In Book VI; The Beacon; the Anglicans establish the Common Law in Jamestown and the Southern Colonies; Puritans in the New England Colonies; Presbyterians; Quakers; Catholics; and others in the Middle Colonies. In 1776 they took the ultimate republican step of declaring independence. When; in 1787; 55 delegates gathered in Independence Hall to draft a Constitution; they did not write on a blank slate. Rather; they were prepared with thousands of years of "echoes of Eden;" Holy Writ; and the Common Law. The event; Washington said; was "in the hands of God." This book provides information and answers; but just as important are the questions it raises about the nature; purpose; and source of law. Jurists have articulated it; philosophers have theorized about it; theologians have explored the moral principles that underlie it. Statesmen have enacted it; judges have interpreted it; sheriffs have enforced it; soldiers have defended it; kings have implemented it. And then; after the fact; people have written about it; to try to explain what it is; and what it should be. This is a journey worth taking; for its insight into mankind's legal heritage. The truths contained in these volumes will reverberate to future generations who may well need reminding; even as needed today; of the foundations as well as the Founder of the unique American system of Law.
#7383 in Books Joy DeGruy 2005-01-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.02 x .51 x 5.98l; .73 #File Name: 0985217200244 pagesPost Traumatic Slave Syndrome America s Legacy of Enduring Injury and Healing
Review
115 of 121 people found the following review helpful. Very Validating; Especially in the Wake of Michael Brown's DeathBy EmpathyI had came across this phenomenal lecturer on Youtube.com (from the advice of my mentor) and knew instantly that I wanted to hear more of what this woman had to say. This book is a great supplement to her Youtube.com video at http://youtu.be/PMVRyD4UlHk?t=20s. The Youtube video could stand alone; whereas; this book is icing. The Youtube seemed more detailed; especially in terms of cognitive dissonance and other things like the postcard pictures of lynchings. I think the video is more recent and therefore there are more supporting facts. Regardless; this should be required reading for African Americans; especially in an academic setting.Even though America has a tarnished past; especially when it comes to the stain of slavery and the subsequent treatment of African Americans; this book offers hope and concrete steps to heal from PTSS. This book has touched me at a deep level; just hearing about other people's reactions was very validating; especially when it comes to anger seething beneath the surface.One thing that I enjoyed learning through the video that wasn't in the book was that the Statue of Liberty's chains (not shown in most photos or on film) was supposed to symbolize America's abolition of slavery in 1865. We don't hear about that; but this has been a fact verified on the government's website at www.nps.gov/stli/historyculture/abolition.htm. This woman is phenomenal and I hope the truth continues to come out.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Let the healing begin!!By Kisha B JohnsonExactly what I needed at this juncture of my life! At a crossroads; attempting to better understand my nation; its brutal; ugly maltreatment of its black inhabitants; and the damaging effects of that cruel savagery; this book is proving to be a Godsend!! Thank you for exhibiting the courage necessary to take on such a daunting task!! Let the healing begin . . .2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. DeGrue is needed.......By deniseI was searching for answers to personality issues; and I found; Dr. DeGrue. This book has given me the ability to understand; and gain confidence to be me. Dr. DeGrue is amazing; highly intelligent. She understands the underlying issues that makes Us; Amazing. Every educator should be required to read this; clinical discussion on African Americans.
