Merchants of Death: Global Oligarchs and Their War On Humanity
Freedom was given to you by God, not by earthly rulers. Let no man take that away that from you!
“John Gideon Hartnett and Augusto Zimmermann, both noted and accomplished academics, have collaborated to describe the totalitarian agenda of the oligarchs. The book contains useful information, compelling arguments, and rich ideas which will open the eyes of readers to the devastation wrought upon our civilisation by those who pursue their illiberal, oligarchical, frightening agenda that is already devouring the world.”
–Emeritus Professor Gabriël A. Moens AM, JD, PhD
“Professors John Hartnett and Augusto Zimmermann have drawn from their depth of academic experience to produce a well-researched counter-offensive to Klaus Schwab’s Great Reset. The conspiracies of the Elites are no longer secret. In his book, “Covid-19: The Great Reset,” Schwab openly applauded pandemics, calling the Black Death that killed upwards of 200 million people “the unrecognized beginning of modern man.” Schwab longed for another pandemic to usher in “long-lasting and dramatic consequences for our world today” and wrote, “we should take advantage of this unprecedented opportunity to reimagine our world.” Many in the World Economic Forum (WEF) agree with him. For such reasons, the professors have identified Schwab as one of the “Merchants of Death.”
“In this book is the forbidden information you’re not supposed to know. Consume it, and it will lead you away from the corrupt leaders who plan to enslave you and to safety of the only Savior Jesus Christ who wants to set you free.”
—Steve Cioccolanti, B.A., M.Ed.
The Unlucky Country
Inspired by Donald Horne’s iconic book, The Lucky Country, published in 1964, the authors of The Unlucky Country argue that Australia has now been transformed into an ‘Unlucky Country’. The Unlucky Country documents this journey – a transformation which has occurred over a relatively short period of time.
In writing this book, Zimmermann and Moens hope that their analysis of this spectacular transformation will raise readers’ awareness of the values of Australia’s liberal tradition that have been neglected and even despised by the ruling illiberal elites, a neglect largely condoned by an apathetic populace. The book’s incisive analysis of social, political, and cultural developments proves that it is time to rediscover the benefits of living in a free, prosperous and tolerant society.
The Spirit Behind the Voice: The Religious Dimension of the “Voice” Proposal
“One could be forgiven for thinking that the only Christian response to the Voice to Parliament is Yes, if we went by the pronouncements of prominent churchmen and theologians. But I think these prominent churchmen and theologians are misguided on this issue. It is my conviction that when all things are considered, Christians should vote No to this divisive constitutional change. This book is a unique contribution to the debate in that it takes the question of the Voice to Parliament very seriously from a Christian, Jewish and secular point of view. I urge everyone who is pondering how to vote on this momentous question to carefully read this book and give serious consideration to voting No.”
– Dr Stephen Chavura PhD (UNE) BA (Hons. I), Senior Lecturer in History, Campion College.
Foreword by Bess Nungarrayi Price AM
Introduction: The Religious Dimension of the “Voice”
Gabriël A. Moens AM and Augusto Zimmermann
1 The Indigenous Voice – A Christian Case for Voting ‘No’
Peter Barnes
2 The Voice and the Principle of ‘Political Equality’
Gabriël A. Moens AM
3 The Hidden Agenda Behind a “Voice” to Parliament
Augusto Zimmermann
4 Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
Bob Gregory
5 A Theological Assessment of “The Voice”
Mark Powell
6 The Voice – A Peacemaker’s Paradigm
Neil Johnson
7 What the Good Samaritan Teaches Us About The Voice to Parliament
Julie Sladden
8 A Return to Segregation
Thomas Eglinton
9 The Voice and Freedom of Religion
Dave Pellowe
10 John Paul II Would Not Have Supported the Voice
Rocco Loiacono
11 The “Voice” Referendum: A Choice of National Identity
Shimon Cowen
12 Moral Implications of the Voice for Australia
John Fleming
13 Our Common Humanity and the Search for Truth
David Daintree
14 Not Sorry and Should Not Be
Matthew Littlefield
15 John Rawls and the Aboriginal Question
Paul Collits
16 The Voice: A Legal Deception
Minny Rozario
17 It’s Bad: Morally, Politically and Legally
James Allan
Peter Barnes is a Presbyterian pastor who lives in Sydney.
Gabriël Moens AM is Emeritus Professor of Law at the University of Queensland.
Augusto Zimmermann is Head and Professor of Law at Sheridan Institute of Higher Education and a former member of the Law Reform Commission of Western Australia.
Bob Gregory is a retired Pastor and Christian School Principal.
Mark Powell is the Teaching Elder at Cornerstone Presbyterian Community Church in Hobart.
Neil Johnson is Head of News and Current Affairs at Vision Christian Media.
Julie Sladden is a medical doctor, writer and founding director of Australians for Science and Freedom. In 2022 she was elected as a Local Government Councillor for the West Tamar in Tasmania.
Thomas Eglinton is a Pastor at Smithfield Baptist Church, a Reformed Baptist church located in Sydney’s South West.
Dave Pellowe is the director of Church And State Ministries, and presenter of The Church And State Show, which airs weekly on ADH.TV.
Rocco Loiacono is a Senior Lecturer in Law, Curtin University.
Shimon Cowen is an Australian rabbi and academic. He is Director of the Institute for Judaism and Civilization in Melbourne, Australia.
John Fleming is an author and academic, specialising in medical ethics, political philosophy and public policy.
David Daintree is director of the Christopher Dawson Centre for Cultural Studies in Tasmania. He served as President of Campion College from 2008 to 2012.
Matthew Littlefield is the pastor of New Beith Baptist Church. He is an ordained Minister in the Baptist Union of Queensland.
Paul Collits is a freelance writer and independent researcher. He has taught at tertiary level in three different disciplines – politics, geography and planning and business studies.
Shamina Rozario is an independent journalist, final year Juris Doctor student and national ministry worker. She worked for seven years in remote Indigenous communities doing scripture-based annual camps.
James Allan is the Garrick Professor of Law at the University of Queensland
Foundations of the Australian Legal System: History, Theory and Practice
Offering a wide range of topics found in most foundations of law units of study, this text covers the basic building blocks of the legal system, including the nature of law, legal referencing, a consideration of ‘precedent’, the principles of statutory interpretation, and the sophisticated and demanding world of the management of international disputes. It details the history of the common law and describes the contribution of leading jurists to its development. Throughout, the book focuses on the importance and continuing relevance of the ‘rule of law’ for the maintenance of a mature legal system. The book also details the legal ethics and legal responsibility of lawyers.
Wokeshevism Critical Theories and the Tyrant Left
Deconstructing Scomo: Critical Reflections on Australia's 30th Prime Minister
At the 2019 election many conservatives – the “quiet Australians” – went back to the Liberals, given that Malcolm Turnbull had finally been dispensed with and recalling that Scott Morrison seemed to have stopped the boats and was a regular churchgoer. Further, they were genuinely concerned about Bill Shorten’s “drastic climate action”. However, these same conservatives have reason to be very aggravated, and are seriously considering voting for alternative parties at the forthcoming federal election.
In this book, the authors highlight the Prime Minister’s abject failure to stand up for conservative values; namely, his abandonment of the principles of smaller government, economic reform, free speech and individual liberty. This book is a must read as Australians head to the polls in 2022.
Emergency Powers, Covid-19 Restrictions & Mandatory Vaccination: a ‘Rule-Of-Law’ Perspective
The main argument of this book is that vaccine mandates facilitate the creation of a fundamentally unfair and unequal society where vaccinated people are privileged and the unvaccinated become second-class citizens who are excluded from most activities of normal life and are regarded as lepers in their own country. In this context, this book discusses the concept of legality known as the ‘rule of law’, and the use of emergency powers in Australia. It also focuses on the unconstitutionality of mandatory vaccination, and it examines the possible use of the external affairs power in the Constitution to combat mandatory vaccination. Purchase here.
Fundamental Rights in the Age of COVID-19
The first in a 3 part series, the Christian Foundations of the Common Law is an in-depth analysis of the history of the common law and its Christian Foundations.
This book series has received the highest of praises from academics the world over (see below for their testimonials) and is available for purchase here.
“In his latest tome, ‘Christian Foundations of the Common Law’, Dr Augusto Zimmermann rediscovers the Christian roots of the English, American and Australian legal systems. With scholarly acuity, this work skilfully uncovers how great thinkers in Western Civilization understood the cultural importance of these self-evident truths to society and good governance under the rule of law. At a time when perhaps we need it most, Zimmermann shows how Christian ideas like ‘natural law’, ‘natural rights’ and ‘natural justice’, contributed to the development of the common law. In doing so, Dr Zimmermann’s work convincingly confirms for us that ideas informed by the Bible influenced in important ways the development of the Common Law, and indeed, the preservation of freedom and justice. Woven through the very readable chapters of this book is a profound understanding of an ancient sacred premise: God revealed moral absolutes in His Word, and placed these truths on the human heart”.
William Wagner
Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Law, Western Michigan University, U.S.A.
Former U.S. Federal Judge & U.S. Diplomat
President, Salt & Light Global
“Professor Zimmermann’s book is striking in its depth and breadth. Not since Harold Berman’s volumes on Law and Revolution has such a mammoth task been undertaken. Berman’s positive influence is clear in the way Zimmermann systematically and incontrovertibly demonstrates the Christian roots of the common law in Australia, England and the US. Yet Zimmermann goes further than Berman in at least two respects. First, he delves deeply into three particular jurisdictions and focuses on influential political figures in an enlightening way. Second, Zimmermann skilfully takes into account recent developments in Western politics and culture and a broad range of contemporary scholarship in theology, legal theory and history, philosophy and constitutional law. This book is therefore informative for scholars and laity alike, and essential reading for a legal community which seems content to drift ever further from its Christian origins. I highly recommend it.”
Dr Alex Deagon FHEA
Law Lecturer, Queensland University of Technology
Author of ‘From Violence to Peace: Theology, Law and Community’
“Professor Augusto Zimmermann has produced an extremely helpful book in which he carefully demonstrates the indissociable Christian origins of the common law. This is a most timely publication, particularly in the context of contemporary discourse that attempts to relativise religious influence. Professor Zimmermann traces how many of our current freedoms within a broad, plural, public square can be attributed to a rich seam of Christian philosophical influence that has evidently infused the development of the common law in different jurisdictions. In my view, this is essential reading for students and scholars alike who seek a fuller appreciation as to the origins of the common law.”
Simon McCrossan LL.M
Barrister, UK
Head of Public Policy, Evangelical Alliance UK
“If we forget our history we are destined to repeat mistakes of the past. If we are not truthful about our history we cannot understand our present. It is popular today to attempt to whitewash the positive influence of religion not only from the present but also from the past. The idea that law is morally neutral and that religion generally and Christianity in particular is a force of evil and not good has become popular in Australia’s mainstream press and embraced by politicians and academics. In this excellent book Dr Zimmermann carefully lays out for the reader an easily digestible and highly readable account of the Christian roots of the common law in England, the United States and Australia. His book is a very valuable addition to Australian works on legal history and will assist not only lawyers and law students but all interested readers to better understand why our legal system is as it is. The work also provides an understanding of the dangers of forgetting the common laws roots in Christianity and in particular in the use of reason grounded in faith. It demands publication”.
Michael Quinlan
Dean & Professor of Law, The University of Notre Dame Australia
(Sydney)
“I very much enjoyed reading this book by Dr Augusto Zimmermann. I think the book has the great potential to have a timeless impact and its historical overview of the Christian foundations of the common law and the laws of the U.S. and Australia is thorough, important and timely. In sum, this is an excellent and timely work, for which I deeply commend its author”.
Michael V. Hernandez
Dean & Professor of Law, Regent University School of Law, U.S.A.
“Awareness of history is the most serious casualty of our age. If it is taught at all, it is too often restricted to topical issues and current events in isolation from their larger context. In the legal profession, for example, few practitioners fully appreciate the huge dependence of the Common Law on Christian principles; Christian moral theology and philosophy lie at the very heart of western jurisprudence. Professor Zimmermann’s wonderful book outlines these connections, confidently ranging over an enormous and ambitious body of material and setting them out with lucidity and grace. Such a book is a treasure, much needed and long overdue”.
David Daintree AM
Director, The Christopher Dawson Centre for Cultural Studies (Tasmania)
Author of ‘Soul of the West: Christianity and the Great Tradition’
“This is an eminently readable book which should be read by law students, legal academics, practising lawyers and the judiciary. I also recommend the book to those who, although they may not have been trained in the rigorous discussion of legal and moral issues, are nevertheless interested in understanding the legal, philosophical and Christian roots of our legal system. Hence, it is with pleasure that I recommend this book to the widest possible readership. This book is erudite, informative, well-written and researched and most importantly, it is a timely reminder of the Christian heritage of the Common Law that has served us so well for many centuries”.
Gabriël A. Moens
Emeritus Professor of Law, The University of Queensland
Former Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Law Dean, Murdoch University
“Attempts to limit the scope of public discourse to the strictly secular are pushing Christianity and its conception of the “good life” to the margins of society. At a time when religious belief is increasingly cast as a matter of private opinion that can have no bearing on the shaping of policy, Augusto Zimmermann issues a timely reminder that one of our foundational institutions – the Common Law – is deeply rooted in Christianity. This important book is both a scholarly account of those roots and a warning of the threats the Common Law tradition will face if Western civilization slips its Christian moorings”.
Peter Kurti
Research Fellow, Religion and Civil Society Program
The Centre for Independent Studies (Sydney)
“In an age of cynicism, apathy and despair Professor Zimmermann’s book comes as a fresh and timely reminder to not neglect the legal and parliamentary Christian foundations of our nation. With well researched material, this book documents how the history of Common Law is intrinsically intertwined with the Christian faith. It is a very enlightening, inspiring and encouraging contribution, documenting this important aspect of Australia’s Christian heritage. Every Australian needs to read it to appreciate our heritage of freedom, which one hundred thousand Australians sacrificed their lives to defend in two world wars”.
Dr Graham McLennan
Chairman, National Alliance of Christian Leaders (NACL)
Joint Founder, Christian History Research website (www.chr.org.au)
“From the perspective of a practitioner whose daily routine is arguing in court, Augusto Zimmermann’s Christian Foundations of the Common Law, with its encyclopaedic English, American and Australian perspective, is an elegant commentary on the relation between the law and ideas, both theological and philosophical. The part devoted to the United States is particularly significant for the rest of the common law world whose law is so much influenced by that country. This is a must read book for anyone who wishes to understand where we are and where we came from.”
Michael McAuley
President, St Thomas More Society (Australia)
Barrister, Selborne Chambers (Sydney)
“Professor Zimmermann’s book is outstanding in its breadth and depth. The Christian influence on the legal institutions that have come to define the West is proven beyond doubt in this work. Zimmermann’s study brings together not just the best historical, legal, and philosophical analyses on the question of the origins and evolution of the West’s legal traditions, but also offers original insights of its own. More and more, in spite of the declarations of secularist triumphalists, we are discovering that the institutions that have brought so much freedom and stability to the West are indeed a result of a complex set of historical traditions and practices evolving in dialogue with Christian institutions and ideas. If it is perilous for a civilization to forget the traditions that have nourished and animated its most successful and valuable institutions, then Zimmermann’s book is not merely a fascinating read but also indispensable for the task of preserving modern liberties against various creeping totalitarianisms, secularist and religious.”
Dr Stephen Chavura B.A. (Hons. I), Ph.D. (UNE)
Senior Research Associate, Department of Modern History and Politics
Macquarie University, Sydney.
“At a time when Christianity is being pushed out of the public square, Dr Zimmermann’s latest book is a timely and important antidote to the modern myth that our common law rights emerged from thin air or was a gift from international bodies like the United Nations. In fact, as Dr Zimmermann’s historical analysis reveals, the reason we have a public square is because of early English legal developments driven by theologians and Christian jurists. Dr Zimmermann has yet again made an important contribution to the legal literature which should be required reading by all first year law students (as well as the lecturers!)”.
Morgan Begg
Research Fellow, Institute of Public Affairs (Melbourne)
“Christianity, history and law all get a bad rap nowadays. They are ignored, denounced or misrepresented. Yet all three are vital to modern democracies, and all three are closely related as Dr Zimmerman so brilliantly demonstrates in this important volume. This exceedingly thorough, well-researched, and well-written book is essential reading for those who would see faith and freedom retain their much-needed role in Western society”.
Bill Muehlenberg
CultureWatch
Author of ‘Modern Conservative Thought’
“We are indebted to Augusto Zimmermann for his magnificent account of the role played by Christian philosophy in the development of the legal systems of England, the U.S. and Australia. This is a highly significant and original work, written with great clarity and directness yet displaying profound historical and theological scholarship. It is especially relevant in our times when scant attention is paid to the contribution of Christian values and beliefs to human life. This book will enrich the understanding of many, but it will also challenge and irritate that realm of secularist thought that sees Christianity as a dark and sinister presence on the human condition”
Michael Mc Mahon OMI
Department of Religious Education and English, Mazenod College, Perth
Christian Foundations of the Common Law Volume 2: The United States
The second in a 3 part series, the Christian Foundations of the Common Law is an in-depth analysis of the history of the common law and its Christian Foundations.
This book series has received the highest of praises from academics the world over (see below for their testimonials) and is available for purchase here.
“In his latest tome, ‘Christian Foundations of the Common Law’, Dr Augusto Zimmermann rediscovers the Christian roots of the English, American and Australian legal systems. With scholarly acuity, this work skilfully uncovers how great thinkers in Western Civilization understood the cultural importance of these self-evident truths to society and good governance under the rule of law. At a time when perhaps we need it most, Zimmermann shows how Christian ideas like ‘natural law’, ‘natural rights’ and ‘natural justice’, contributed to the development of the common law. In doing so, Dr Zimmermann’s work convincingly confirms for us that ideas informed by the Bible influenced in important ways the development of the Common Law, and indeed, the preservation of freedom and justice. Woven through the very readable chapters of this book is a profound understanding of an ancient sacred premise: God revealed moral absolutes in His Word, and placed these truths on the human heart”.
William Wagner
Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Law, Western Michigan University, U.S.A.
Former U.S. Federal Judge & U.S. Diplomat
President, Salt & Light Global
“Professor Zimmermann’s book is striking in its depth and breadth. Not since Harold Berman’s volumes on Law and Revolution has such a mammoth task been undertaken. Berman’s positive influence is clear in the way Zimmermann systematically and incontrovertibly demonstrates the Christian roots of the common law in Australia, England and the US. Yet Zimmermann goes further than Berman in at least two respects. First, he delves deeply into three particular jurisdictions and focuses on influential political figures in an enlightening way. Second, Zimmermann skilfully takes into account recent developments in Western politics and culture and a broad range of contemporary scholarship in theology, legal theory and history, philosophy and constitutional law. This book is therefore informative for scholars and laity alike, and essential reading for a legal community which seems content to drift ever further from its Christian origins. I highly recommend it.”
Dr Alex Deagon FHEA
Law Lecturer, Queensland University of Technology
Author of ‘From Violence to Peace: Theology, Law and Community’
“Professor Augusto Zimmermann has produced an extremely helpful book in which he carefully demonstrates the indissociable Christian origins of the common law. This is a most timely publication, particularly in the context of contemporary discourse that attempts to relativise religious influence. Professor Zimmermann traces how many of our current freedoms within a broad, plural, public square can be attributed to a rich seam of Christian philosophical influence that has evidently infused the development of the common law in different jurisdictions. In my view, this is essential reading for students and scholars alike who seek a fuller appreciation as to the origins of the common law.”
Simon McCrossan LL.M
Barrister, UK
Head of Public Policy, Evangelical Alliance UK
“If we forget our history we are destined to repeat mistakes of the past. If we are not truthful about our history we cannot understand our present. It is popular today to attempt to whitewash the positive influence of religion not only from the present but also from the past. The idea that law is morally neutral and that religion generally and Christianity in particular is a force of evil and not good has become popular in Australia’s mainstream press and embraced by politicians and academics. In this excellent book Dr Zimmermann carefully lays out for the reader an easily digestible and highly readable account of the Christian roots of the common law in England, the United States and Australia. His book is a very valuable addition to Australian works on legal history and will assist not only lawyers and law students but all interested readers to better understand why our legal system is as it is. The work also provides an understanding of the dangers of forgetting the common laws roots in Christianity and in particular in the use of reason grounded in faith. It demands publication”.
Michael Quinlan
Dean & Professor of Law, The University of Notre Dame Australia
(Sydney)
“I very much enjoyed reading this book by Dr Augusto Zimmermann. I think the book has the great potential to have a timeless impact and its historical overview of the Christian foundations of the common law and the laws of the U.S. and Australia is thorough, important and timely. In sum, this is an excellent and timely work, for which I deeply commend its author”.
Michael V. Hernandez
Dean & Professor of Law, Regent University School of Law, U.S.A.
“Awareness of history is the most serious casualty of our age. If it is taught at all, it is too often restricted to topical issues and current events in isolation from their larger context. In the legal profession, for example, few practitioners fully appreciate the huge dependence of the Common Law on Christian principles; Christian moral theology and philosophy lie at the very heart of western jurisprudence. Professor Zimmermann’s wonderful book outlines these connections, confidently ranging over an enormous and ambitious body of material and setting them out with lucidity and grace. Such a book is a treasure, much needed and long overdue”.
David Daintree AM
Director, The Christopher Dawson Centre for Cultural Studies (Tasmania)
Author of ‘Soul of the West: Christianity and the Great Tradition’
“This is an eminently readable book which should be read by law students, legal academics, practising lawyers and the judiciary. I also recommend the book to those who, although they may not have been trained in the rigorous discussion of legal and moral issues, are nevertheless interested in understanding the legal, philosophical and Christian roots of our legal system. Hence, it is with pleasure that I recommend this book to the widest possible readership. This book is erudite, informative, well-written and researched and most importantly, it is a timely reminder of the Christian heritage of the Common Law that has served us so well for many centuries”.
Gabriël A. Moens
Emeritus Professor of Law, The University of Queensland
Former Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Law Dean, Murdoch University
“Attempts to limit the scope of public discourse to the strictly secular are pushing Christianity and its conception of the “good life” to the margins of society. At a time when religious belief is increasingly cast as a matter of private opinion that can have no bearing on the shaping of policy, Augusto Zimmermann issues a timely reminder that one of our foundational institutions – the Common Law – is deeply rooted in Christianity. This important book is both a scholarly account of those roots and a warning of the threats the Common Law tradition will face if Western civilization slips its Christian moorings”.
Peter Kurti
Research Fellow, Religion and Civil Society Program
The Centre for Independent Studies (Sydney)
“In an age of cynicism, apathy and despair Professor Zimmermann’s book comes as a fresh and timely reminder to not neglect the legal and parliamentary Christian foundations of our nation. With well researched material, this book documents how the history of Common Law is intrinsically intertwined with the Christian faith. It is a very enlightening, inspiring and encouraging contribution, documenting this important aspect of Australia’s Christian heritage. Every Australian needs to read it to appreciate our heritage of freedom, which one hundred thousand Australians sacrificed their lives to defend in two world wars”.
Dr Graham McLennan
Chairman, National Alliance of Christian Leaders (NACL)
Joint Founder, Christian History Research website (www.chr.org.au)
“From the perspective of a practitioner whose daily routine is arguing in court, Augusto Zimmermann’s Christian Foundations of the Common Law, with its encyclopaedic English, American and Australian perspective, is an elegant commentary on the relation between the law and ideas, both theological and philosophical. The part devoted to the United States is particularly significant for the rest of the common law world whose law is so much influenced by that country. This is a must read book for anyone who wishes to understand where we are and where we came from.”
Michael McAuley
President, St Thomas More Society (Australia)
Barrister, Selborne Chambers (Sydney)
“Professor Zimmermann’s book is outstanding in its breadth and depth. The Christian influence on the legal institutions that have come to define the West is proven beyond doubt in this work. Zimmermann’s study brings together not just the best historical, legal, and philosophical analyses on the question of the origins and evolution of the West’s legal traditions, but also offers original insights of its own. More and more, in spite of the declarations of secularist triumphalists, we are discovering that the institutions that have brought so much freedom and stability to the West are indeed a result of a complex set of historical traditions and practices evolving in dialogue with Christian institutions and ideas. If it is perilous for a civilization to forget the traditions that have nourished and animated its most successful and valuable institutions, then Zimmermann’s book is not merely a fascinating read but also indispensable for the task of preserving modern liberties against various creeping totalitarianisms, secularist and religious.”
Dr Stephen Chavura B.A. (Hons. I), Ph.D. (UNE)
Senior Research Associate, Department of Modern History and Politics
Macquarie University, Sydney.
“At a time when Christianity is being pushed out of the public square, Dr Zimmermann’s latest book is a timely and important antidote to the modern myth that our common law rights emerged from thin air or was a gift from international bodies like the United Nations. In fact, as Dr Zimmermann’s historical analysis reveals, the reason we have a public square is because of early English legal developments driven by theologians and Christian jurists. Dr Zimmermann has yet again made an important contribution to the legal literature which should be required reading by all first year law students (as well as the lecturers!)”.
Morgan Begg
Research Fellow, Institute of Public Affairs (Melbourne)
“Christianity, history and law all get a bad rap nowadays. They are ignored, denounced or misrepresented. Yet all three are vital to modern democracies, and all three are closely related as Dr Zimmerman so brilliantly demonstrates in this important volume. This exceedingly thorough, well-researched, and well-written book is essential reading for those who would see faith and freedom retain their much-needed role in Western society”.
Bill Muehlenberg
CultureWatch
Author of ‘Modern Conservative Thought’
“We are indebted to Augusto Zimmermann for his magnificent account of the role played by Christian philosophy in the development of the legal systems of England, the U.S. and Australia. This is a highly significant and original work, written with great clarity and directness yet displaying profound historical and theological scholarship. It is especially relevant in our times when scant attention is paid to the contribution of Christian values and beliefs to human life. This book will enrich the understanding of many, but it will also challenge and irritate that realm of secularist thought that sees Christianity as a dark and sinister presence on the human condition”
Michael Mc Mahon OMI
Department of Religious Education and English, Mazenod College, Perth
Christian Foundations of the Common Law Volume 3: Australia
The second in a 3 part series, the Christian Foundations of the Common Law is an in-depth analysis of the history of the common law and its Christian Foundations.
This book series has received the highest of praises from academics the world over (see below for their testimonials) and is available for purchase here.
“In his latest tome, ‘Christian Foundations of the Common Law’, Dr Augusto Zimmermann rediscovers the Christian roots of the English, American and Australian legal systems. With scholarly acuity, this work skilfully uncovers how great thinkers in Western Civilization understood the cultural importance of these self-evident truths to society and good governance under the rule of law. At a time when perhaps we need it most, Zimmermann shows how Christian ideas like ‘natural law’, ‘natural rights’ and ‘natural justice’, contributed to the development of the common law. In doing so, Dr Zimmermann’s work convincingly confirms for us that ideas informed by the Bible influenced in important ways the development of the Common Law, and indeed, the preservation of freedom and justice. Woven through the very readable chapters of this book is a profound understanding of an ancient sacred premise: God revealed moral absolutes in His Word, and placed these truths on the human heart”.
William Wagner
Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Law, Western Michigan University, U.S.A.
Former U.S. Federal Judge & U.S. Diplomat
President, Salt & Light Global
“Professor Zimmermann’s book is striking in its depth and breadth. Not since Harold Berman’s volumes on Law and Revolution has such a mammoth task been undertaken. Berman’s positive influence is clear in the way Zimmermann systematically and incontrovertibly demonstrates the Christian roots of the common law in Australia, England and the US. Yet Zimmermann goes further than Berman in at least two respects. First, he delves deeply into three particular jurisdictions and focuses on influential political figures in an enlightening way. Second, Zimmermann skilfully takes into account recent developments in Western politics and culture and a broad range of contemporary scholarship in theology, legal theory and history, philosophy and constitutional law. This book is therefore informative for scholars and laity alike, and essential reading for a legal community which seems content to drift ever further from its Christian origins. I highly recommend it.”
Dr Alex Deagon FHEA
Law Lecturer, Queensland University of Technology
Author of ‘From Violence to Peace: Theology, Law and Community’
“Professor Augusto Zimmermann has produced an extremely helpful book in which he carefully demonstrates the indissociable Christian origins of the common law. This is a most timely publication, particularly in the context of contemporary discourse that attempts to relativise religious influence. Professor Zimmermann traces how many of our current freedoms within a broad, plural, public square can be attributed to a rich seam of Christian philosophical influence that has evidently infused the development of the common law in different jurisdictions. In my view, this is essential reading for students and scholars alike who seek a fuller appreciation as to the origins of the common law.”
Simon McCrossan LL.M
Barrister, UK
Head of Public Policy, Evangelical Alliance UK
“If we forget our history we are destined to repeat mistakes of the past. If we are not truthful about our history we cannot understand our present. It is popular today to attempt to whitewash the positive influence of religion not only from the present but also from the past. The idea that law is morally neutral and that religion generally and Christianity in particular is a force of evil and not good has become popular in Australia’s mainstream press and embraced by politicians and academics. In this excellent book Dr Zimmermann carefully lays out for the reader an easily digestible and highly readable account of the Christian roots of the common law in England, the United States and Australia. His book is a very valuable addition to Australian works on legal history and will assist not only lawyers and law students but all interested readers to better understand why our legal system is as it is. The work also provides an understanding of the dangers of forgetting the common laws roots in Christianity and in particular in the use of reason grounded in faith. It demands publication”.
Michael Quinlan
Dean & Professor of Law, The University of Notre Dame Australia
(Sydney)
“I very much enjoyed reading this book by Dr Augusto Zimmermann. I think the book has the great potential to have a timeless impact and its historical overview of the Christian foundations of the common law and the laws of the U.S. and Australia is thorough, important and timely. In sum, this is an excellent and timely work, for which I deeply commend its author”.
Michael V. Hernandez
Dean & Professor of Law, Regent University School of Law, U.S.A.
“Awareness of history is the most serious casualty of our age. If it is taught at all, it is too often restricted to topical issues and current events in isolation from their larger context. In the legal profession, for example, few practitioners fully appreciate the huge dependence of the Common Law on Christian principles; Christian moral theology and philosophy lie at the very heart of western jurisprudence. Professor Zimmermann’s wonderful book outlines these connections, confidently ranging over an enormous and ambitious body of material and setting them out with lucidity and grace. Such a book is a treasure, much needed and long overdue”.
David Daintree AM
Director, The Christopher Dawson Centre for Cultural Studies (Tasmania)
Author of ‘Soul of the West: Christianity and the Great Tradition’
“This is an eminently readable book which should be read by law students, legal academics, practising lawyers and the judiciary. I also recommend the book to those who, although they may not have been trained in the rigorous discussion of legal and moral issues, are nevertheless interested in understanding the legal, philosophical and Christian roots of our legal system. Hence, it is with pleasure that I recommend this book to the widest possible readership. This book is erudite, informative, well-written and researched and most importantly, it is a timely reminder of the Christian heritage of the Common Law that has served us so well for many centuries”.
Gabriël A. Moens
Emeritus Professor of Law, The University of Queensland
Former Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Law Dean, Murdoch University
“Attempts to limit the scope of public discourse to the strictly secular are pushing Christianity and its conception of the “good life” to the margins of society. At a time when religious belief is increasingly cast as a matter of private opinion that can have no bearing on the shaping of policy, Augusto Zimmermann issues a timely reminder that one of our foundational institutions – the Common Law – is deeply rooted in Christianity. This important book is both a scholarly account of those roots and a warning of the threats the Common Law tradition will face if Western civilization slips its Christian moorings”.
Peter Kurti
Research Fellow, Religion and Civil Society Program
The Centre for Independent Studies (Sydney)
“In an age of cynicism, apathy and despair Professor Zimmermann’s book comes as a fresh and timely reminder to not neglect the legal and parliamentary Christian foundations of our nation. With well researched material, this book documents how the history of Common Law is intrinsically intertwined with the Christian faith. It is a very enlightening, inspiring and encouraging contribution, documenting this important aspect of Australia’s Christian heritage. Every Australian needs to read it to appreciate our heritage of freedom, which one hundred thousand Australians sacrificed their lives to defend in two world wars”.
Dr Graham McLennan
Chairman, National Alliance of Christian Leaders (NACL)
Joint Founder, Christian History Research website (www.chr.org.au)
“From the perspective of a practitioner whose daily routine is arguing in court, Augusto Zimmermann’s Christian Foundations of the Common Law, with its encyclopaedic English, American and Australian perspective, is an elegant commentary on the relation between the law and ideas, both theological and philosophical. The part devoted to the United States is particularly significant for the rest of the common law world whose law is so much influenced by that country. This is a must read book for anyone who wishes to understand where we are and where we came from.”
Michael McAuley
President, St Thomas More Society (Australia)
Barrister, Selborne Chambers (Sydney)
“Professor Zimmermann’s book is outstanding in its breadth and depth. The Christian influence on the legal institutions that have come to define the West is proven beyond doubt in this work. Zimmermann’s study brings together not just the best historical, legal, and philosophical analyses on the question of the origins and evolution of the West’s legal traditions, but also offers original insights of its own. More and more, in spite of the declarations of secularist triumphalists, we are discovering that the institutions that have brought so much freedom and stability to the West are indeed a result of a complex set of historical traditions and practices evolving in dialogue with Christian institutions and ideas. If it is perilous for a civilization to forget the traditions that have nourished and animated its most successful and valuable institutions, then Zimmermann’s book is not merely a fascinating read but also indispensable for the task of preserving modern liberties against various creeping totalitarianisms, secularist and religious.”
Dr Stephen Chavura B.A. (Hons. I), Ph.D. (UNE)
Senior Research Associate, Department of Modern History and Politics
Macquarie University, Sydney.
“At a time when Christianity is being pushed out of the public square, Dr Zimmermann’s latest book is a timely and important antidote to the modern myth that our common law rights emerged from thin air or was a gift from international bodies like the United Nations. In fact, as Dr Zimmermann’s historical analysis reveals, the reason we have a public square is because of early English legal developments driven by theologians and Christian jurists. Dr Zimmermann has yet again made an important contribution to the legal literature which should be required reading by all first year law students (as well as the lecturers!)”.
Morgan Begg
Research Fellow, Institute of Public Affairs (Melbourne)
“Christianity, history and law all get a bad rap nowadays. They are ignored, denounced or misrepresented. Yet all three are vital to modern democracies, and all three are closely related as Dr Zimmerman so brilliantly demonstrates in this important volume. This exceedingly thorough, well-researched, and well-written book is essential reading for those who would see faith and freedom retain their much-needed role in Western society”.
Bill Muehlenberg
CultureWatch
Author of ‘Modern Conservative Thought’
“We are indebted to Augusto Zimmermann for his magnificent account of the role played by Christian philosophy in the development of the legal systems of England, the U.S. and Australia. This is a highly significant and original work, written with great clarity and directness yet displaying profound historical and theological scholarship. It is especially relevant in our times when scant attention is paid to the contribution of Christian values and beliefs to human life. This book will enrich the understanding of many, but it will also challenge and irritate that realm of secularist thought that sees Christianity as a dark and sinister presence on the human condition”
Michael Mc Mahon OMI
Department of Religious Education and English, Mazenod College, Perth
Western Legal Theory: History, Concepts and Perspectives discusses a wide range of theories and theorists, and also traces the historical developments of Western legal thought from ancient times to the present day. With a focus on the historical and contemporary role of philosophy in the interpretation of law, Western Legal Theory: History, Concepts and Perspectives provides a fascinating insight into the development of law and a comprehensive analysis of current legal thought. The book is available for purchase here.
From its inception, s 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth) has been controversial. This law makes unlawful any act reasonably likely to offend, insult, humiliate or intimidate another person or group of people because of their race, colour, nationality or ethnicity. Serious concerns have been raised about s 18C’s effect on freedom of expression.
In this book, the authors argue that s 18C is too broad and too vague to be constitutional. They argue that relevant international treaties do not support the sweeping scope of s 18C. Further, they argue that s 18C’s breadth and complexity impermissibly infringes the freedom of communication about government and political matters implied from the Commonwealth Constitution. In the course of their argument, the authors also cover issues relevant to Australia’s common law legal tradition and liberal democratic heritage. This book makes a timely contribution to the fight for freedom of expression in Australia. The book is available for purchase here.
Criminal Law in Australia provides an introduction to the substantive criminal law in all states and territories of Australia. Formerly published as Butterworths Tutorial Series —Criminal Law this book provides a concise yet comprehensive breakdown of the general principles of criminal liability, the key categories of criminal offences and the major defences.
Each chapter also provides a sample problem and suggested resolution to provide a practical context for the key concepts that are discussed. The book has been substantially updated to take account of a number of significant changes in the law. This book is designed to be a useful and practical resource for anyone seeking a systematic understanding of the substantive content of the criminal law in Australia. The book is available for purchase here.
A COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE: Essays in Honour of Emeritus Professor Gabriël A. Moens
Emeritus Professor Gabriël A. Moens is a prominent Australian academic, researcher, teacher and
administrator and his legacy is nothing short of extraordinary. Over his long and distinguished career he has acquired a solid reputation as a leading academic expert in constitutional law, legal
philosophy, and business law, in particular in itsinternational and comparative dimensions.
Edited by Professor Augusto Zimmermann, ‘A Commitment to Excellence: Essays in Honour of Professor Gabriël A. Moens’ is a collection of essays written by leading lawyers and academics who share a profound admiration for his extraordinary life and legacy.
These essays address some of the topics Professor Moens has taught during his highly successful career. These include constitutional law, contract law, comparative law, jurisprudence, European Union law, International commercial law, trade law, arbitration law and practice, and mooting.
The result is a deeply impressive collection of articles that is a most fitting tribute to the remarkable career of Professor Moens.
- Emeritus Prof. Suri Ratnapala TC Beirne School of Law, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Prof. Nicholas Aroney TC Beirne School of Law, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Geoffrey Bennett The Institute of Art and Law, London, United Kingdom
- Prof. Jürgen Bröhmer Murdoch University School of Law, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Prof. Marc De Vos Ghent University School of Law, Ghent, Belgium and Curtin School of Law, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
- Prof. Philip Evans School of Law, The University of Notre Dame Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Lorraine Finlay Murdoch University School of Law, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Prof. J. Clifton Fleming J. Reuben Clark Law School, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, United States of America
- Prof. Henry Gabriel Elon University School of Law, Greensboro, North Carolina, United States of America
- Diana Hu Regional Mergers and Acquisitions, AIG Asia Pacific, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Eric Ng Barrister-at-law, Gilt Chambers, Hong Kong, China
- Prof. Doug Jones AO Independent Arbitrator, Sydney, Australia, Atkin Chambers, London, United Kingdom and Arbitration Place, Toronto, Canada
- Prof. Luke Nottage Sydney Law School, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Prof. Michael Quinlan School of Law, The University of Notre Dame Australia, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Dr Rajesh Sharma School of Global, Urban and Social Studies, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Harprabdeep Singh Barrister-at-Law, Hong Kong, China.
- Prof. Keith Thompson School of Law, The University of Notre Dame Australia, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Dr John Trone Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Prof. Bruno Zeller School of Law, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
- Prof. Augusto Zimmermann School of Law, Sheridan College, Perth, Australia
“It is a privilege to be invited to contribute an essay to a collection that honours the work of
Gabriël A. Moens, Emeritus Professor of Law of the University of Queensland. Professor Moens
is a long-time colleague, friend and mentor. A man of boundless intellectual ability and energy, he
was an inspiration to students and colleagues and who was extraordinarily generous with his time
and resources. He was the master of the inspirational lecture with the rare quality of sustaining unwavering student engagement with the most complex of topics.”
– Suri Ratnapala, Emeritus Professor of Law, The University of Queensland
“Gabriël Moens was the supervisor of my Master of Laws thesis on the implied freedom of political
communication and was kind enough to read and comment extensively on my PhD thesis on Australian federalism. Gabriël’s incisive ability to see immediately what was essential in a line of argument – as distinct from what was merely tangential to it – was exactly the kind of advice that an inquisitive graduate student like me needed. I will always be grateful to him for the sage advice and unwavering support he gave me during those formative years”.
– Nicholas Aroney, Professor of Law, The University of Queensland