Learning Corner · faith & justice
Before the Courthouse
The Bible and the Ideas Behind American Criminal Justice
A Reformed examination of biblical justice, criminal law, evidence, punishment and government authority, comparing enduring principles in Scripture with questions and institutions found in American criminal justice without treating ancient Israel and the modern United States as the same system.
Lessons
Lesson 0
How Should Christians Read Biblical Criminal Law?
General Equity and the Reformed Framework for Reading Biblical Criminal Law
8 min
Lesson 1
The Sword Can Be Just
Private Vengeance, Public Justice and the Authority of Government
10 min
Lesson 2
Not Every Killing Is Murder
Intent, Culpability and the Ancient Roots of Mens Rea
8 min
Lesson 3
From Vengeance to Justice
Cities of Refuge, the Avenger of Blood, and the Move Toward Lawful Process
10 min
Lesson 4
Who Decides Guilt?
Community Adjudication, Elders at the Gate, and the Much Later Jury Principle
12 min
Lesson 5
Evidence Before Judgment
Witnesses, Corroboration, Investigation, and the Wrongful Death of Naboth
14 min
Lesson 6
The Ninth Commandment in the Courtroom
Truth-Telling as a Justice Obligation
15 min
Lesson 7
Face Your Accuser
Confrontation, Notice, and the Opportunity to Defend Yourself
13 min
Lesson 8
Punishment Cannot Come Before Judgment
Pretrial Punishment, Coercive Interrogation, and Paul’s Appeal to Law
15 min
Lesson 9
When the Process Becomes the Punishment
Pretrial Detention, Delay, Bribery, Political Pressure, and Paul Before Felix
18 min
Lesson 10
I Appeal to Caesar
Review, Appeal, and the Need to Correct Lower-Level Injustice
17 min
Lesson 11
When Prosecution Becomes Persecution
Criminal Conduct, Religious Disagreement, and Paul Before Gallio
23 min
Lesson 12
The Sword and the Keys
Civil Authority, Church Authority, and Why They Must Not Be Confused
14 min
Lesson 13
You Can Be Guilty of What You Failed to Prevent
Negligence, Foreseeability, Duty, and the Responsibility to Prevent Harm
18 min
Lesson 14
Justice Owes the Victim Something
Restitution, Repairing Harm, and the Question Modern Punishment Sometimes Leaves Behind
21 min
Lesson 15
The Guilty Still Bear God’s Image
Human Dignity, Proportionality, and the Limits of Punishment
17 min
Lesson 16
Why Is Prison Our Default?
Incarceration, Sentencing, and the Purposes of Punishment
18 min