Description:
Law professors Thomas E. Baker and Timothy W. Floyd asked some of their legal colleagues to respond to this provocative question: "Can a good Christian be a good lawyer?" Here are twenty-one highly personal narratives that answer the question of how each writer tries, sometimes but not always successfully, to be both a good Christian and a good lawyer.
How does a lawyer called to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ reconcile his or her faith with the secular calling to the legal profession? The editors did not set out to provide some kind of final resolution or unified consensus. Instead, they have compiled a remarkable collection of reflections by lawyers, judges, and academics who represent many different branches of Christianity.
The reader is likely to find many role models to emulate and the inspiration to continue to fight the good fight in these accounts grounded in legal and Christian thought. Reading about these real-life ethical dilemmas, conflicting loyalties, and personal difficulties offers the reassurance that others have shared their ongoing struggle to rhyme their career with their faith.
Although every lawyer will find Can a Good Christian Be a Good Lawyer? especially meaningful, these essays speak to all persons of faith who strive to practice their beliefs in their work.
Brief description:
Thomas E. Baker is professor of law in the College of Law at Florida International University. He is a nationally prominent constitution law scholar who has received numerous awards for his teaching, including the first-ever Pioneer Award in Appreciation for Guidance and Dedication to the College of Law from the Florida International University Student Bar Association in 2004. He is the author or co-author of ten books, including Constitutional Analysis in a Nutshell (2003); and First Amendment Law: Freedom of Expression and Freedom of Religion (2006).
Review Quotes:
"Arguing that 'the practice of law for too many lawyers presents either a Faustian bargain or a Godfather's offer, ' the editors present an alternative by way of meditations, case histories, and exhortations on the integration of one's family and legal practice. While the primary intended audience is clearly lawyers, the lessons taught, experiences shared, and questions raised offer much insight to all those seeking to make their occupation a bona fide calling of the Lord." --Books & Culture