It's interesting that christians all agree that the our status as members in the Body of Christ gives us a great advantage in determining right and wrong in our personal lives. In fact, few christians even consider looking to Biblical law for insights in how to present an effective criminal justice system to the nation. It is also interesting that these same christians are the most outspoken concerning placing the ten commandments and prayer in the same government-run public schools where God has been outlawed.
So if we are going to try to determine what an effective criminal justice system would look like shouldn't we consider what God's ideas are concerning criminal law? Certainly God must have an opinion on how a nation should enforce the law and what laws should be enforced. After all, doesn't He present the concepts of justice, punishment, the law and personal responsibility over and over again in the scriptures?
When we look at Bible, especially the first few books, we find that God seems to state quite clearly that criminal law is important and is, in fact, one of only three authorities that government are given: maintaining the infrastructure of the nation, providing for defense from aggression and enforcing the criminal law. In fact, we find that God actually used the laws He gave to Israel to seperate them from the gentile nations as his chosen people and to present them to the world as an example of what God expects from and wants for mankind.
Consider, for example, that the state capitols, and even the very capitol of our nation, are the very population centers with the highest rates of violent crime. Few today, being so used to violence in our nation and our communities, realise what an indictment this is against the justice system in this country! Consider that in the times immediately preceding the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem about 70 A.D., Josephus tells us that common murders ("robbers", a common term for men who murder in order to steal from thier victims) entered the temple grounds to kill men and women simply to steal thier money. What an perfect example of wicked men despising the law! Of men having no fear of neither the justice system nor of God. To enter the grounds of the temple of God to steal and kill! Do you see how the wicked have been taught to despise the law in our country in exactly the same manner? That they have been taught that there is no reason to fear the law? When men despise the law and do not fear it, you see crime rise even in the very seats of power and justice in our country.
"For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil." Romans 13:3-4
In a country where the government rightly enforces the law and serves it's duty to God as His minister of wrath to the wicked, and of good to the law-abiding, practically no one would dare to commit a crime in the capitol of our country, the seat of justice and the source of the administration of the criminal justice system.
BIBLICAL LEGAL PRINCIPLES - Where modern law diverges from God's perfect legal system.
INCARCERATION - What is God's view on imprisonment? God solves the prison overpopulation crisis.
ALTERED MORAL LAWS - God changes the rules. Examples of moral laws that God has changed throughout man's history.
CIVIL DISOBEDIANCE - When is it okay (morally) to break the law? God gives us plenty of examples.
HOMICIDE - Unintentional manslaughter, homicide, communal responsibility, and rules for warfare.
DEATH PENALTY CRIMES - God still demands the death penalty for a variety of crimes.
CORPORAL PUNISHMENT AND RESTITUTION - Crimes for which God commands restitution be made or corporal punishment inflicted.
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