John Witte Jr. is Jonas Robitscher Professor of Law, Alonzo L. McDonald Distinguished Professor, and Director of the Center for the Study of Law and Religion at Emory University. A world-renowned expert on church and state, he is the author or editor of numerous books and articles on the subject.This newly revised and enlarged edition explores the interplay among law, theology, and marriage in the Western tradition. Witte uncovers theological beliefs that helped to form Western marriage law throughout history to discover how such beliefs might help inform marriage law in the future. He explores the ways in which Catholics, Lutherans, Calvinists, Anglicans, and Enlightenment thinkers have constructed systematic models of marriage from four perspectives: spiritual, social, contractual, and naturalist. This second edition also includes three new chapters that expand the discussion of classical, biblical, and patristic materials, and an updated bibliography."[A] magisterial work of historical scholarship." The Christian Century [praise for the first edition]" From Sacrament to Contractis a magisterial work in the history of marriage, nuptial theology, and marriage law. John Witte is that rare combination of a first-rate legal scholar and a historical theologian." David Novak, J. Richard and Dorothy Shiff Chair of Jewish Studies, University of Toronto" From Sacrament to Contractis a penetrating study of five conflicting models of marriage and their impact on domestic legislation and organization over the last millennium. Rarely has the interaction of religious belief, law, and marriage been so incisively illuminated. This book is a touchstone for a new intellectual history of religion." Steven Ozment, McLean Professor of Ancient and Modern History, Harvard University [praise for the first edition]" From Sacrament to Contracttakes the reader on a fascinating tour through the legal, philosophical, and religious ideas that have shaped and reshaped Western thinking about the relations between men and women. Concise and forward-looking, Wittes monograph makes a wise and welcome contribution to current conversations about the present and future status of marriage in our society." Mary Ann Glendon, Learned Hand Professor of Law, Harvard University"This book, by the leading scholar in the field, provides a readable and insightful exposition. In addition to addressing questions of law, religion, history, and sociology, Witte provides a spiritual meditation on what it means to be a human: a husband, wife, mother, father, or child. To believers this book will bring instruction and enlightenment; to others it will bring understanding." Michael W. McConnell, Mallery Professor of Law and Director of the Constitutional Law Center, Stanford Law School, and Senior Fellow, Hoover Institution"This book should long be the standard reference for anyone interested in knowing how Europeans have sought to connect the personal and the public in the family life." The Christian Century[praise for the first edition]"Witte provides what is unquestionably the finest history of western marriage in the Christian epoch." The Journal of Law and Religion [praise for first edition]"Witte provides what is unquestionably the finest history of western marriage in the Christian epoch." The Journal of Law and Religion[praise for the first edition]