The Power of Mercy in Biblical Law

Bibliographic Data

ID19183243
AuthorsM Welker (0000-0002-0278-780X, Heidelberg University, corresponding author)
Year2014
Volume29
Issue2
Pages225-235
Publication date2014-05-13
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Law and Religion (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0748-0814 • E-ISSN: 2163-3088
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/jlr.2014.9
OpenAlexW2312412666
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited7

Biblical law is a complex concept that contains several distinct legal currents. In an effort to explore the interplay of these currents, this article first focuses on the overlap between the biblical law of God and the strictly legal regulations of the Old Testament. It then unpacks the principles and inner rationalities of what is termed “archaic law” and shows that this law is connected with regulations that could be termed “mercy laws” and with cultic regulations. By extrapolating the normative dynamics between these three codes of the law, the article exposes the enormous moral, religious, and legal influence of biblical law in general and of the mercy code in particular. In this way, the article reveals a backbone of our occidental culture. The interdependence of justice and mercy drives societies and cultures to search for (humane) justice in a deep and truth-bound way and, further, to routinize social care and welfare beyond the boundaries of families and tribal relations. The article finally illuminates both commonalities and differences between mercy and a deep and encompassing understanding of love

Economic Justice · Normative · Old Testament · Political science · Sociology · Theology · American Constitutional Law and Politics · Law · Marriage and Sexual Relationships · Multicultural Socio-Legal Studies · Philosophy

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