The Heart of the Matter

In the December 2006 issue of First Things (not yet available on line), there is a short piece by John F. Crosby, "The Witness of Dietrich von Hildebrand," discussing the launch of the Dietrich von Hildebrand Legacy Project.  Crosby quotes a short review by Hildebrand, "The Struggle for the Human Person," which includes this:

All of Western Christian civilization stands and falls with the words of Genesis, 'God made man in His image.' 

We could also say, I think, that "all of Catholic legal theory" stands and falls with these same words.  (Note:  the same issue of First Things includes a great essay by Mary Ann Glendon, "Looking for 'Persons' in the Law."  Check it out.)