Faith, Values and the Rule of Law Program

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Faith, Values and the Rule of Law Program

Mission Driven

The Program on Faith, Values, and the Rule of Law was established at Seton Hall University's School of Law to examine how 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. The program is designed to bring together a diverse learning community coupled with a curriculum focusing on the intersection of how religious, moral and spiritual systems have impacted the rule of law and legal systems, and how faith practices over the course of history have confronted issues like love, justice, ethical leadership, and social impact.

The following questions spurred the creation of the Program:

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?
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. The program is designed not only to explore the history and philosophy of law, but to prepare reflective leaders equipped to address today’s global challenges with clarity, empathy, and conviction.

Community-Based Learning Model

The Program includes a year-long hybrid course delving into how religious, moral and spiritual frameworks intersect with legal systems, leadership and social impact. In this pursuit, participants engage deeply with sources from Jewish, Christian, Islamic, Hindu, Indigenous and secular traditions. The course invites a diverse learning community including law students, graduate and undergraduate students, seminarians and adult learners. The course combines asynchronous online modules with in-person “Convivium”— gatherings that include guest speakers, interactive conversations, small group discussions, lectures and shared meals. The community format encourages students from all academic backgrounds and faith perspectives to engage with foundational texts and traditions that have influenced legal and ethical thinking across time and cultures to cultivate an ethical, reflective and civil approach to justice and the rule of law.

Keynote Speakers Announced for the Faith, Values, and the Rule of Law : An Interdisciplinary Conference

The Program on Faith, Values, and the Rule of Law at Seton Hall University School of Law is pleased to announce the keynote speakers for its inaugural academic conference to occur on February 4-5, 2026 at the Law School’s Newark, New Jersey campus. The Faith, Values, and the Rule of Law: An Interdiscplinary Conference will feature the following distinguished keynote speakers. Check out the conference website where you can submit an abstract (by Nov. 1, 2025) to present at the conference or register if you would like to attend.