Christianity and Crime and Punishment: Sources of Wisdom and Authority

"Sees everything under the heavens" - Shows that God is omnipotent and omnipresent.

Nicene Creed:

"I believe in one God, maker of heaven and earth" - Shows that Christians are monotheistic and God, the Father created the universe.

"I believe in the one Lord Jesus Christ ... he came down from heaven ... and became man" - Shows close link between the Father and the Son and that Jesus is God incarnate.

Luke:

"For nothing will be impossible with God" - Shows that God is omnipotent and can do anything.

"In the beginning was the word"( John1:1) - The Word is Jesus as he is like God's Word on Earth. This shows that Jesus was there at the creation of the world so proves Jesus is God.

"God saw that it was good" - Shows that God created the world good so Christians must look after it.

"Rule over the fish of the sea" - God created the world and humans are in charge as the most intelligent and powerful creatures.

God formed man " from the dust of the earth" - Literalists would belive this is exactly how humans were made but goes against modern science.

" he appeared in the flesh, was seen by angels, preached amoung the nations" - Shows that Jesus is God incarnate and he was a real man who walked the earth.

" an angel came to him and said ' ... what is within her is the holy spirit ' " - Shows that Jesus is God incarnate as it is impossible for a virgin to get pregnant so must be God's work.

" he will save people of their sins" - Shows that Jesus is God incarnate as only God can forgive people of their sins.

" Jesus said ... ' be silent, be still ' and the storm stopped" - Shows that Jesus is God incarnate as he has power over natural things like the weather.

" The son of man will go as has been decreed" - Shows Jesus' omnipotence as he prophecies his own death.

" today you will be with me in paradise " -Criminal recognises Jesus as Son of God and Jesus has mercy on him even though he is bein tortured himself.

" why have you forsaken me " -  Shws that Jesus is weak and alon at the moment he dies

" Why do you look for the living amoung the dead? " - Shows that Jesus is resurrected and will live forever.

" everyone who believes may have eternal life in him" - Shows that if you believe in Jesus you will acheive salvation.

"Salvation is found in no one else" - Shows that onlythrough believing in Jesus will you be able to go to heaven.

"Salvation is by grace through faith alone" - Shows that God gives us salvation because he wants to even though we don't deserve it. Also shows that it is crucial that Christians believe Jesus and God are real to get to heaven.

39 articles of Faith ( written by bishops so all Christians had same beliefs) - Rejection of catholic belief of urgatory so shows people either go to heaven or hell.

"we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ" - Shows taht when we die, we will be judged on our deeds and actions in our life.

" no mourning, no crying" - This is a description of heaven where everything will be perfect.

" As high as the heaven is over the earth, so great is your steadfast love" - Shows God's omnibenevolence. However, if God is all loving, he would stop all the evil and suffering

" I was hungry and you gave me food" - Shows that everyone is entitled to their huan rights. When you give people their human rights you are helping God too.

" An eye for an eye" -  Shows that any crime should be met with a fair and equal punishment.

Jesus' treatment of the lepers and prostitutes - Shows that everyone should be treated fairly and the same.

" All are one in Christ Jesus " - Shows that Jesus died for all peole and all are completely and fully equal.

" Give to Caeser what belongs to Caeser" - Shows how Christians should listen to authority.

"All Israel will see it and be afraid" - Advocates deterrance as if others see punshment they will not do crime.

" If the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet ...It is the blood i require of the wathcman's hand" - Advocates protection as if police do not imprison dangerous people, they should be punished.

" Pay all what is owed to them " - Advocates reparation as damage should be paid back.

"leave it to the wrath of God" - Called divine retibution. We shouldn't take revenge as God will do it.

"Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed" - Advocates capital punishment. If you kill someone you should be killed.

"Do not kill" - Against capital punishment as no taking of life should be condoned.

" Let anyone amoung you who is without sin throw the first stone" - This shows that we all sin so we shouldn't judge others and we should forgive freely instead.

"Do not judge for you will be judged" - This shows that we ignore the sins we do because we are too busy blaming others. We should forgive them and realise we make mistakes.

"If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also" - This shows that we should not retaliate when people harm us as turning away is a stronger reaction.

"forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us" - If you expect God to forgive your mistakes you have to show that you are willing to forgive the mistakes of others.

"Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing" - We should forgive those who harm others because they may not intentionally because they don't know how to behave as they have not been taught properly.

"He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners" - We should help people in the circumstances which lead to cimes to channge.

"there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents" - This shows that God will be happier if sinners become good so we should help them to change.

"If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault" - This shows that Christians shouldn't hold a grudge and instead discuss their problems with people.

"leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person" - This shows that God want Christians to sort out their issues with people before He is prepared to accept their worship.

" Anyone who does not do right is not a child of God" - This shows that if Christians commit  a crime they are not considered a child of God so they won't be able to go to heaven.

"Open thy mouth for the dumb ... judge righteously" - This shows that Christians are encouraged to stand up for those who are at risk of not having a fair trial.

"Our law does not judge eople without first giving them a hearing" - This shows that Christians believe that people are innocent until proven guilty by a fair trial.

"judge your neighbour fairly" - This shows that Christians believ that if you are on a jury you have to be fair.

"Do not judge or you too will be judged" - This shows that some Christians believe they should not sit on a jury as they are told in the Bible to not judge.