JURI 600 Essay Render Unto Caesar
JURI 600 ESSAY: RENDER UNTO CAESAR ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS
OVERVIEW
This essay requires you to demonstrate an understanding of jurisdiction that is consistent with a
biblical worldview. The civil government does not have authority to govern over all the affairs of
man. It is critical that we understand that the government does not have jurisdiction to punish
everything that is “wrong.” In other words, all sins are not crimes. For example, James Madison
believed that religious liberty exists because the government does not have the authority to
punish citizens for their beliefs. This principle of limited jurisdiction is consistent with a biblical
worldview because it recognizes that God has instituted government, and He has given it
authority to accomplish a particular, and limited mission on the earth, which is to punish those
who do evil and reward those who do good (See Romans 13:1-4).
INSTRUCTIONS
In response to a rise in violence, the state of Wisconsin passes a law that enhances the penalty for
any offense committed against a victim where the crime is committed “because of hatred for the
victim’s race, sex, or religion.” Taking into consideration that hating your brother is prohibited in
both the Old and New Testaments, explain whether this “hate crimes” enhancement is a proper
exercise of the civil government’s jurisdiction according to the biblical worldview discussed in
the course materials. Fully explain your position.
You will write a 3–5-page (double spaced) research-based paper in current Bluebook format that
fully analyzes the above essay prompt. In your essay, you must include citations to at least 3
scholarly sources in addition to the course textbook and the Bible. Your citations should be
placed in footnotes and you do not need a reference or bibliography page. You also do not need a
cover page.