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The Biblical Perspectives of Crime

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Crime and Biblical Perspectives

Crime and violence is rampant throughout the world. Laws exist to maintain order and peace and provide for the safety and well-being of all members of society. Acts that disrupt and threaten this system of order are deemed criminal in nature and are punishable by law. It is believed that criminal types operate from a self-centered framework that shows little, if any regard, for the safety and well-being of others (Merton, 2006).
Christianity teaches us that crime is also caused by evil in men's hearts (Oord, 2012). The fall of man due to original sin ultimately brought about corruption in the heart of man, which manifested itself externally with violence, murder, theft, and all manner of criminal behavior. The Biblical account found at Genesis, Chapter 4 details the first crime committed on earth in which Cain murdered his brother Abel. At that time God himself brought judgment on Cain for his behavior. Over time, God made the following assessment about mankind. "Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually"¦Now the earth was corrupt in the sight of God, and the earth was filled with violence" (Genesis 6:5, 11). As a result, shortly after the time of Noah, God established civil government in the earth as a means of restraining evil doers and protecting law-abiding citizens (Holy Bible, Genesis 9:6; Romans 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13-14).
Crime

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