Christianity and Criminal Law - Paperback

by Mark Hill Qc (Editor), Norman Doe (Editor), Rh Helmholz (Editor)

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.

Author Biography

Mark Hill QC practises from Chambers in the Inner Temple, London, and is Associate Professor at Cardiff University, UK; the University of Pretoria, South Africa; King's College London, UK; and Notre Dame University Law School, Sydney, Australia.

Norman Doe is Professor of Law at Cardiff University, UK, and Director of its Centre for Law and Religion.

RH Helmholz is the Ruth Wyatt Rosenson Distinguished Service Professor of Law at the University of Chicago, USA.

John Witte, Jr. is Woodruff University Professor of Law, McDonald Distinguished Professor of Religion and Director of the Center for the Study of Law and Religion at Emory University, USA.