約翰·維特，已故著名法學傢《法律與革命》的作者伯爾曼教授的弟子，埃默裏大學法律教授，法律和宗教研究中心主任，宗教交叉研究中心主任，發錶過150篇論文，齣版過22本著作，還有5本正在寫作當中，在西方學界享有盛譽。

鍾瑞華，女，1975年生，江蘇沛具人，中國社會科學院國際法研究所研究人員，法學博士（中國社會科學院）、法學碩士和學士（中國政法大學）、美國埃默裏大學法律和宗教研究中心訪問學者，在《中外法學》、《清華法學》、《環球法律評論》等雜誌發錶文章多篇，譯著有：《西方法律和宗教傳統中的非婚生子女》、《權利革命之後》等。

Review

"[A] superb study..."

Paul R. Hinlicky, Roanoke College, Sixteenth Century Journal

"...an excellent book."

Journal of Religion

"Witte's book is an excellent dissertation on how law in early modern Germany coalesced with Roman law and the Code of Canon Law under the influence of Lutheran scriptural interpretation and how, in time, this aided the emergence of the secular state."

Chronicles

"Witte has written an informative and learned treatise on the development of law that should exercise a considerable influence."

First Things

"This book breaks new ground. With a binocular vision of law and theology, as the author calls it, it succeeds in mastering the daunting task of tracing the link between law and theology in the Lutheran Reformation, with special attention to law. The task is accomplished with solid scholarship, presented in an engaging literary style."

Theology Today

"This wonderful book will be edifying for all those interested in the social impact of religious movements...[it] adds a much needed counterpoint to the unflattering story of Lutheranism told so often among academics in this country."

The Christian Century

"Witte's provocative and deeply insightful examination...probes theological and legal sources which have commanded too little attention in past analysis of the Reformation...This book replaces earlier studies of the subject."

Religious Studies Review

"Witte offers an important contribution to our understanding of the Reformation generally and confessionalism specifically.... A must for scholars of the Reformation or legal history. Recommended for upper-division undergraduates through practitioners."

Choice

"...well researched and superbly written by a scholar of considerable reputation... an eye opener..."

Journal of Church and State

"...provocative and rewarding..."

Law & Social Inquiry

Book Description

The Lutheran Reformation of the early sixteenth century brought about immense and far-reaching change in the structures of church and state, and in religious and secular ideas. This book investigates the relationship between the law and religious ideology in Luther's Germany, showing how they developed in response to the momentum of Lutheran teachings and influence. John Witte, Jr. argues that it is not enough to understand the Reformation in either only theological or legal terms but that a perspective is required which takes proper account of both.