This collection, by leading legal scholars, judges and practitioners, together with theologians and church historians, presents historical, theological, philosophical and legal perspectives on Christianity and criminal law. Following a Preface by Lord Judge, formerly Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales, and an introductory chapter, the book is divided into four thematic sections. Part I addresses the historical contributions of Christianity to criminal law drawing on biblical sources, early church fathers and canonists, as far as the Enlightenment. Part II, titled Christianity and the principles of criminal law, compares crime and sin, examines concepts of mens rea and intention, and considers the virtue of due process within criminal justice. Part III looks at Christianity and criminal offences, considering their Christian origins and continuing relevance for several basic crimes that every legal system prohibits. Finally, in Part IV, the authors consider Christianity and the enforcement of criminal law, looking at defences, punishment and forgiveness. The book will be an invaluable resource for students and academics working in the areas of Law and Religion, Legal Philosophy and Theology.

Preface - Lord Judge Introduction Mark Hill QC Historical Contributions of Christianity to Criminal Law Criminal Law in the Old Testament: Homicide, the Problem of Mens Rea, and God Brent A. Strawn Conflicting Criminal Jurisdictions in Early Christianity Markus Bockmuehl Crime and the Canon Law R. H. Helmholz Retaliation: Christian Reasons for Punishment: An overview Mathias Schmoeckel Christianity and the Liberal Enlightenment Reforms of Criminal Law Heikki Pihlajamaki Christianity and the Principles of Criminal Law The Nature of Sin and Crime: Spiritual and Civil Jurisdictions Compared Norman Doe Christianity, Mens Rea and the Boundaries of Criminal Liability David McIlroy Christianity, Human Dignity and Due Process Peter Collier QC Christianity and Criminal Offences Christianity and Crimes Against the State Nathan S. Chapman Christianity and Offences Against the Person David Etherington QC Law Like Love Like Language: The Christian Uses of Property Crime John F. Stinneford Crimes against God and the Church Jeroen Temperman Sex Crimes and Christianity John Witte, Jr. Attempts, Complicity, Virtue and the Limits of the Law Richard W. Garnett Christianity and the Enforcement of Criminal Law Defences: Justification, Excuse and Provocation Chloe Kennedy Punishment, Forgiveness, and Mercy Jeffrie Murphy Justice, Mercy and Equality in Discretionary Criminal Justice Decision-making Albert W. Alschuler Parole, Risk Assessment of Offenders and Christianity Sir John Saunders Judicial Punishment in Transitional Justice: A Christian Restorative Approach Daniel Philpott The Weight of Judgment Nathan S. Chapman