Current Issues: Crime & Punishment (Principles)

<p>For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ <a href="https://www.douglasjacoby.com/crimepun1mp3/"><strong>website</strong></a>.</p><p><strong>I. PRINCIPLES OF CRIME & PUNISHMENT</strong></p><p><strong>Principle 1: God is a God of Justice</strong></p><ul><li>Ultimately all crimes against God (Psalms 51:4). What does the Bible say about crimes against man (person/ property)?</li><li>Proverbs 24:25, Ecclesiastes 8:11, Ecclesiastes 5:8-9.</li><li><i>Lex talionis: </i>Limitation: a maximum, not a minimum. See Exodus 21:24, Matthew 5:38.</li><li>“Let the punishment fit the crime” – Gilbert & Sullivan, <i>The Mikado</i> (1885).</li></ul><p><strong>Principle 2: There will be a Judgment Day, and it will be Fair</strong></p><ul><li>There will be an ultimate judgment – and it will be fair (Genesis 18:25; Luke 12:47-48; Romans 2:5, 14:10; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Hebrew 9:27; 2 Peter 3:7; 1 John 4:17, etc).</li><li>Yet there may be a delay.<ul><li>Habakkuk wondered…</li><li>Numbers 32:23.</li><li>1 Timothy 5:24.</li></ul></li></ul><p><strong>Principle 3: Moral Authority must Speak Truth to Power </strong><i>or</i> <strong>No One is Above the Law</strong></p><ul><li>The prophets spoke out against social injustice:  Elijah, Amos, John the Baptist, and many others…</li><li>Jesus challenged leaders of his day. Reminded high priest, governor, and other authorities about some important spiritual principles...</li><li>There are times when believers must speak up -- speak out!</li></ul><p><strong>Principle 4: Law is Good</strong></p><ul><li>Much of modern law comes from the Romans.</li><li>Even more may come from the Jews: property law, torts, worker’s compensation, litigation, etc (Exod 20-Deut 33).</li><li>Even studying OT law shows us God’s wisdom, providence and justice. Even though it is not the <i>law </i>of God for us, it is still the <i>word </i>of God for us, and we have much to learn!</li></ul><p><strong>Principle 5:  Civil Disobedience is Occasionally Justified</strong></p><ul><li>Henry David Thoreau</li><li>Danie