From the Organizers:

The Program on Faith, Values, and the Rule of Law at Seton Hall University School of Law is pleased to announce its inaugural academic conference to occur on February 4–5 at the Law School’s Newark, New Jersey campus.

The American Bar Association defines the “rule of law” as a set of principles under which “no one is above the law, everyone is treated equally under the law, everyone is held accountable to the same laws, there are clear and fair processes for enforcing laws, there is an independent judiciary, and human rights are guaranteed for all.” (ABA Rule of Law page.) In the United States and around the world these principles are now under serious threat.

The concept of the rule of law is often considered a product of modern liberalism.  Its historical and ethical roots, however, run much deeper. The world’s great religious, theological, and philosophical traditions have all contributed to the understanding of justice and human dignity that underpins modern rule of law principles. Indeed, it might be that any meaningful concept of the rule of law finally implicates theistic, or at least transcendent, perspectives.

Perhaps a recovery of these often-buried perspectives is what our present moment of crisis requires. At the same time, any such recovery must proceed critically, with proper concern for the ways in which religious traditions have also contributed to systemic injustices, and with attention to the requirements of peaceable community in a multi-religious world. What can the traditions of various forms of Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and other religions and philosophies offer in response to global trends towards aggressive nationalism and authoritarianism? How can religious believers promote a rule of law framework when their institutions and communities are being swallowed by distortions and disinformation, as is the case, for example, with American Christian Nationalism? Can religious communities in conflict dialogue fruitfully about rule of law principles? How might theologies and traditions develop when they have been complicit in cycles of oppression and violence?

We seek contributions from scholars in law, theology, religious studies, philosophy, political science, international affairs, history, literature, ethics, and related disciplines for a robust conversation on these themes.  We are looking for broad conceptual engagement along with proposals for practical interventions. Contributions relating to legal issues surrounding religious liberty and religious establishment or non-establishment will be considered, but interpretation of the U.S. Constitution’s religion clauses is not the focus of the conference.

To submit an abstract for consideration, please use this form.  The deadline for consideration is November 1, 2025. Limited travel funding is available and can be requested through the abstract submission form. There is no publication requirement, although we may seek a suitable venue for publication of selected papers. If you have any questions, please contact Brett Canaval, Administrative Director of the Program on Faith, Values, and the Rule of Law, at [email protected].

About the Program on Faith, Values and the Rule of Law (FVRoL) at
Seton Hall University Law School

Do law, justice and love relate to each other?  What is a good society?  Is there something beyond what we think of as the material world – the gods, God, spiritual truths, transcendent purpose, the Good – that should shape our understanding and practice of “law?”  How do the laws, institutions, norms, and political discourses of our times – in what philosopher Charles Taylor famously described as a “secular age” – relate to religious histories that are often only dimly remembered in Anglo-American and European contexts?[1]  Is it even possible to speak about the “rule of law” beyond the mere exercise of power?

These are pressing questions in a time when it seems basic civility and decency have been abandoned.  But they are not new questions – in fact, they are as old as humanity itself.  The Program on Faith, Values, and the Rule of Law was established to provide a forum for scholars, students, faith communities, and practitioners in law, ministry, and policy to discuss these enduring themes.

FVRoL was founded at Seton Hall University Law School by Prof. David W. Opderbeck in collaboration with Seton Hall University’s Institute of Judaeo-Christian Studies and Center for Catholic Studies.  Trained in both law and theology, Prof. Opderbeck is author of numerous scholarly articles and three books: Faithful Exchange: The Economy as It’s Meant to Be (Minneapolis: Fortress Press 2025); The End of the Law?  Law, Theology, and Neuroscience (Eugene: Wipf & Stock / Cascade 2021); and Law and Theology:  Classic Questions and Contemporary Perspectives (Minneapolis: Fortress Press 2019).