Human Rights and Human Dignity tackles the tricky subject of human rights--so often used to justify all manner of strange demands--with legal precision and theological acuity and brings everything into clear focus.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Review
Review by Irving Hexham, University of Calgary Anyone who has ever read John Warwick Montgomery's books knows that he is a creative writer who defends conservative, evangelical religion in a highly polemic, well argued, rational manner. This book, I am pleased to say, is vintage Montgomery. Even someone who totally rejects his religious and philosophical assumptions will find the book challenging and provocative. What is especially refreshing about this particular book is the depth of commitment Montgomery displays toward human rights and the dignity of individuals. Far too often theological conservatives appear politically reactionary if not downright fascist. No one can accuse Montgomery of these things. He is a deeply committed Christian who grounds human rights in Biblical revelation. Many readers in religious studies departments will be unhappy with the way Montgomery dismisses, indeed challenges and attempts to refute, non-Christian religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism and Islam. But, it ought to be remembered that for an evangelical even to think about these issues is a major achievement, and despite their brevity, Montgomery's arguments deserve consideration. If experts in world religions dislike what Montgomery says, surely they can also be faulted for writing endless monographs on the minutiae of textual issues while almost entirely ignoring such basic and critical issues as human rights. Therefore, if Montgomery irritates, his attacks should be taken as a challenge to show where he is wrong and how other religious traditions really do promote human rights rather than simply dismissing his entire argument. To be quite honest I enjoyed and appreciated this book because, whatever its shortcomings, it deals with a vitally important contemporary issue and shows a remarkable sensitivity to human suffering. It is a book all evangelicals and other conservative Christians ought to be encouraged to read because of its rejection of the reactionary tendencies so often associated with conservative religion. But, it's not only for conservatives. Anyone interested in the justification of human rights or the relationship between law and religion will find many ideas, arguments, and issues to challenge them. Many readers will be appalled by Montgomery's unashamed defense of traditional Christianity, but if they are and if they reject his theological arguments, the problem of defending human rights still remains, and as Montgomery points out, liberals have been lamentably weak in providing some important answers to key questions. Finally, despite his unabashed conservative theology, it ought to be noted that Montgomery defends the notion of a plural society and, while criticizing other religions, retains a respect for them and a strong commitment to their right to exist. In conclusion, this is a book which I strongly recommend. --Irving Hexham, University of Calgary, Christian Legal Journal, Volume 2, Issue 3, Spring 1993
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From the Back Cover
No one is against human rights. It is obviously a good thing-until one starts to think about the meaning of the term and its implications. Then it shows itself to be an idea that polarizes, encouraging uncritical support and also extreme reaction from both secularists and religionists. John Warwick Montgomery, who is both a lawyer and a theologian, is uniquely qualified to address the question of human rights. In clear, easily understood language, he analyzes what human rights are and addresses the crucial question, "How can human rights, properly understood, be legitimated?" Montgomery shows that is there is a foundation for human rights, it must be sought in a transcendent perspective, in the revelational content of the Bible.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Human rights grounded in a transcendent perspective,
By A Customer
This review is from: Human Rights and Human Dignity (Paperback)
Montgomery is a lawyer, theologian and human rights specialist. He has recently retired as Professor of Law & Humanities at the University of Luton (England). He previously taught in theology and jurisprudence in North America, and for three years served as Director of Studies at the International Institute of Human Rights. In this text Montgomery surveys the field of human rights. He examines existing protections, covenants, conventions, and non-government organizations upholding human rights. He then shifts over to an intriguing discussion about the definition of human rights and assesses a number of competing positions. After weighing the existing definitions as inadequate, Montgomery defines 'rights' as 'entitlements' which implies interpersonal relationships. He then examines several major philosophical schools of thought such as legal realism, utilitarianism, Ronald Dworkin, John Finnis, Roscoe Pound, Julius Stone, John Rawls and Alan Gewirth. He assesses Marxist theories of human rights and policy-oriented theories. In this handsome survey Montgomery not only explains the various positions but offers some trenchant criticisms. Montgomery argues that the philosophical apporaches have failed to uphold human dignity and argues for a transcendent perspective. He explores the positions of Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim and Jewish views and highlights inadequacies in their respective approaches. Montgomery then sets forth a case to show that the Christian faith can offer the necessary "grounding" for ultimate standards concerning human rights and human dignity. In a gem of a chapter Montgomery applies the canons of jurisprudential evidence to the New Testament documents and argues persuasively that the portrait of Jesus being God in human flesh is vindicated. The evidence for his bodily resurrection passes the necessary tests for admissability as reliable data in court. From here Jesus' deity is established and the credentials of Biblical revelation are grounded. Montgomery then explores the Christian dimension to human rights. Montgomery underscores weaknesses in Liberal protestant, Catholic and Eastern Orthodox circles in their theories of rights. He also underscores the weaknesses of Christian fundamentalists who identify their faith with right wing politics. Montgomery maintains freedom of religion, whilst commending the Christian answer to the reader. This book serves as an excellent survey of the subject and engages the reader to consider the case for Christianity. Irrespective of whether one agrees with Montgomery or not, the book stands as a solid contribution to the subject and is a good primer for the novice. The book includes as appendices various legal covenants on huma rights. This is a book I highly commend for serious reading and reflection.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fair and Scriptural Reckoning of this Vital Area of Culture,
By rodboomboom (Dearborn, Michigan United States) - See all my reviews (VINE VOICE) (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)
This review is from: Human Rights and Human Dignity (Paperback)
What with China and all the concern worldwide for human rights and dignity, this book should have a resurgence. Montgomery is adept at pointing out the foibles on both sides, liberalism and conservative Christianity.He seeks in his exploration of the topic to answer the question: What rights does one have just because he's human?" Suprising what this respected Christian thinker and author comes up with for his answer, especially since he proclaims: "Theological reflection will in fact turn out to be the only route by which the dilemmas of human rights can be resolved."
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