Render Unto Cesar-4

Liberty University Professor Roach November 12, 2023 Evaluating whether "hate crimes " enhancement aligns with the biblical worldview and is a proper exercise of civil government jurisdiction entails considering multiple principles addressed in the course materials. The framework of a biblical perspective has incorporated themes like justice, equality, and the government, which are responsible for upholding order in society. I endorse the view that Wisconsin's implementation of "hate crime" legislation is in line with biblical principles. This is based on the ongoing exploration of this civil legal jurisdiction within the state. Now, multiple sources of evidence support this alignment with biblical values that have been in legislation emphasizing the promotion of justice, equality, and societal order, which have no doubt resonated with critical biblical themes. Mark 12:17 states, "Well, then," Jesus said, "give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God." This reply completely amazed them" Most have wrongly interpreted this passage in the bible, Jesus never meant for his answer to be interpreted as an endorsement of Caesar's tribute or any taxes 1 . We know that this passage implies that there were explicit rights to construct human law and the separations of church and state in civil legal tradition. The statement, when observed, signifies that civil legal traditions that we have become accustomed to are responsible for matters of the governance in society, including taxation and 1 Jeff Barr, Render unto caesar: A most misunderstood new testament passage (Nov 9, 2023), https://mises.org/wire/render-unto-caesar-most-misunderstood-new-testament-passage

the enforcement of laws, while the matter of religion and a relationship with God fall within religious institutions only. Though in the beginning God established the family as the only human institution with the authority to govern another human being, there were limitations on that family institution 2 . Violence is a consistent norm that has been embedded within society since Cain and Abel, with hate at the center of it all. Though civil law recognizes that it is unable to judge the "fornicators," the "idolators," the "effeminate," the "abusers,"...and the "extortioners" 3 , God has not granted the civil government officials authority to judge the "sinner" but only the sinful acts 4 . In this context, "hate" means bias against people or groups with specific characteristics that are defined by the law 5 . However, the state must prove an act is sinful before exercising criminal jurisdiction 6 . Substantially, we know that all crimes are considered sins, but not all are crimes, but why is this? Hate crime definitions often encompass not only violence against individuals or groups but also crimes against property, such as arson or vandalism, particularly those directed against community centers or houses of worship 7 . This heightened form of hate crime dictates a precise demarcation between the sin and the act, guaranteeing a rift between the two. It is crucial to 7 Responding to hate crimes: A police officer’s guide to investigation and prevention, I NTERNATIONAL A SSOCIATION OF C HIEFS OF P OLICE , (Nov 11, 2023) https://www.theiacp.org/resources/responding-to-hate-crimes-a-police-officers-guide-to-investiga tion-and-prevention. 6 Herbert W. Titus, G OD , MAN , AND LAW : T HE BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES 71 (1998). 5 Learn about hate crimes, H ATE C RIMES | U NITED S TATES D EPARTMENT OF J USTICE | H ATE C RIMES | L EARN M ORE (Nov 11, 2023), https://www.justice.gov/hatecrimes/learn-about-hate-crimes. 4 Id. 3 Herbert W. Titus, G OD , MAN , AND LAW : T HE BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES 71 (1998). 2 Herbert W. Titus, G OD , MAN , AND LAW : T HE BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES 66 (1998).