A discussion on the tradition of American legal positivism--the theory that ""it is necessary, in working with law, to set morals aside."" Notre Dame law professor Shaffer argues that modern-day attorney-client relationships are characterized either by the ""ethics of role"" (the lawyer does what the client wants, or tells the client what to do) or by the ""ethics of isolation"" (moral statements, but no dialogue). It is a delusion, Shaffer suggests, to pretend that conscience has nothing to do with serving a client or that lawyer and client do not influence each other. In place of ""adversary ethics,"" Shaffer urges the profession to adopt an ""ethics of care"": a professional relation marked by openness in moral dialogue, in which the lawyer's calling becomes a form of ministry. Telling the client, ""it's up to you,"" after a full exchange of views, is not the same as saying ""whatever you want.""For Shaffer, the American legal system's avoidance of moral ""witnessing"" is nurtured by the legal education; the (often unstated) choice is not against morals, but ""against morals as having intellectual importance."" Law-school instruction either flatly avoids moral questions or, by failing to explore students' stated moral positions, suggests that there is no discipline in moral discourse. Law school is where things have to begin changing: there, ""we can still try to tell the truth to one another."" In elaborating his ethical view, Shaffer segues neatly from Barth to Buber to Trollope's Orley Farm to American legal history to the lives of Thomas More and Franz Jagerstatter. This is an unremittingly ""learned"" book--tough sledding for the intellectually unprepared--but intelligent, well-argued, and bound to become controversial among law-and-ethics scholars.

These 21 personal narratives answer the question of how each writer tries, sometimes but not always successfully, to be both a good Christian and a good lawyer. Reading about these real-life ethical dilemmas, conflicting loyalties, and personal difficulties should offer reassurance.

BEING A CHRISTIAN LAWYER IS POSSIBLE, BUT NOT EASY. Law professor Michael Schutt believes that Christians belong in the legal profession and should regard it as a sacred calling. Schutt offers this book as a vital resource for reconceiving the theoretical foundations of law and gives practical guidance for maintaining integrity within a challenging profession. A hopeful and practical book for law students and those serving in the legal profession.

Have you ever thought of Jesus as a lawyer? It may sound odd, but at times in His ministry, Jesus wore his lawyer hat. When he defended the adulterous woman, when he argued from Scripture that the disciples were fine to pick grain on the Sabbath, and in other instances, Jesus insightfully applied to uphold justice and promote goodwill. The legal aspects of Jesus’ ministry have long been obscured or misunderstood, particularly his interactions with and attitude toward the law and lawyers. Jesus’ desire in his day and ours is to use the law to secure the rights of people to hear the gospel and to set humanity free. In other words, to be the best citizens we can be, we need to follow in the footsteps of the greatest citizen who ever lived. Jesus in the Courtroom covers topics like: Why we should care about the law Strategic involvement with the law How God has used the law to expand His kingdom What can happen when we partner with legal professionals How citizenship is part of discipleship Christian citizenship in matters like adoption, abortion, minimum wage, foster care, and schools We are citizens of two kingdoms, but many of us duck and run when it comes to civil life. For anyone who cares about their community—parents, teachers, pastors, you name it—engagement with our legal system can play a huge role in the health of our communities and in cultivating a context where the gospel can flourish. Jesus in the Courtroom will help us understand not only why we have failed to appreciate the legal aspect of Jesus’ life, but also to understand and cooperate with his legal ministry to us and through us. If we are going to be faithful “citizen disciples” in this challenging new world, we need to look anew at how Jesus taught, thought, and interacted with the legal establishment of his day.

Are you a Christian? Are you sure? One Taken is the book a Christian in doubt about their faith would receive if they asked a lawyer to turn the relevant verses of the New Testament into an easy-to-follow manual on how to be sure they are a Christian. Why would someone turn to a lawyer with questions about their faith? Lawyers have a valuable set of skills. They typically use those skills to help clients work through complex legal problems, but those skills are readily transferable to working through other kinds of problems as well. One Taken provides uncertain Christians a lawyer's treatment of everything the New Testament says about how to be sure you are a Christian. It collects all of the verses that, taken together, answer that question, and presents them in an organized, highly accessible way with limited commentary. "The Bible tells us that blessed is the man who delights in the Word of the Lord and meditates on it day and night. Brett's thought-provoking book does just that. It takes you on a journey of wrestling with the complexities of the Scripture and discovering who Jesus is.... In the end, we all need Jesus!" -Tom Allen, Head Football Coach, Indiana University, Big Ten and AFCA Coach of the Year "Brilliantly organized and executed, convicting and encouraging, One Taken provides clarity and guidance for those striving to be true disciples of Jesus." -Lance Curry, Appellate Attorney "One Taken allows us to examine our lives and reach our own verdict on our Christianity." -Art Dykstra, Pastor, Feather Sound Church "One Taken is a well-researched and informative roadmap of the answers to questions anyone seeking Christianity must ask themselves." -Steve Farrar, Retired Attorney

Defines the crisis of the legal profession as a spiritual one rather than an ethical one, and urges lawyers to rethink their careers in terms of a vocation in the context of legal practice.

Does the Christian faith hold up under scrutiny? What does science tell us about the plausibility of a god? Can we trust the alleged eyewitness testimony of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus? These questions are worth investigating in order to find an answer solidified in fact and evidence. Mark Lanier, one of America's top trial lawyers, uses his experienced legal eye to examine the plausibility of the Christian faith. Bringing science, current knowledge, and common sense together in a courtroom approach, this "trial" elucidates a rich understanding of God and a strong foundation for Christian faith. Following the format of a traditional legal trial, Lanier takes us from opening statement to closing summation by way of testimony from well-known witnesses—the scientist, the theologian, the linguist, the humanist, the philosopher, the psychologist and the ancient biblical eye-witness. These sources and many others investigate the sticky subjects of the Christian worldview that are commonly scrutinized by skeptics or overlooked by marginal believers: Who is God in light of astronomical and subatomic science? How could divine inspiration of Scripture or Christ?s bodily resurrection be possible? How should we see the nature of reality, free will and choice, ethics, morality and the idea of heaven and afterlife? Lanier presents a persuasive case for the Christian faith and leaves it up to us to choose what is worthy of belief and what is not. Christianity on Trial provides a thought-provoking starting point in the search for truth.