[worst-case scenario]

What if the one that the government is “stealing” from stole to begin with - through manipulation of stock prices, markets, and other financial instruments? How about insurance companies that take premiums for years and then refuse to pay when a person gets sick, or when a home is destroyed in a natural disaster?

Do you include those actions in your definition of “theft”?

[Christian_Capitalist]

Hey, sorry for the long response time. Just away from FR for awhile, that's all.

What if the one that the government is “stealing” from stole to begin with - through manipulation of stock prices, markets, and other financial instruments? How about insurance companies that take premiums for years and then refuse to pay when a person gets sick, or when a home is destroyed in a natural disaster? Do you include those actions in your definition of “theft”?

Absolutely.

And the Bible describes appropriate penalties for such acts.

In the case of Fiduciary Malfeasance which was not a deliberate Theft, the Bible says that the offender is to restore Principle+20% to the injured party.

Or all that about which he hath sworn falsely; he shall even restore it in the principal, and shall add the fifth part more thereto, and give it unto him to whom it appertaineth, in the day of his trespass offering. -- Leviticus 6:5

In the case of deliberate Theft, the Bible says that the offender is to restore between 200% and 400-500% to the injured party, depending on whether or not the original property remains to be returned (200% repayment if the original property can be returned, 400-500% repayment if the original property has been sold or destroyed and cannot be returned).

If a man shall steal an ox, or a sheep, and kill it, or sell it; he shall restore five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep. -- Exodus 22:1
If the theft be certainly found in his hand alive, whether it be ox, or ass, or sheep; he shall restore double. -- Exodus 22:4
If a man shall deliver unto his neighbour money or stuff to keep, and it be stolen out of the man's house; if the thief be found, let him pay double. -- Exodus 22:7

So there's certainly Biblical principles of Justice which can be enacted in law, for the sake of recompensing injured parties. (120% in cases of Malfeasance, 200% to 500% in cases of Theft).

But the most consistent principle throughout, is restitution to the injured party. Specifically to the injured party. The communist notion of class guilt on the part of the rich and redistribution of wealth for the benefit of the poor, is utterly antithetical to Biblical Justice, and is itself a crime against God (as much as any other kind of Theft)!

Thanks for your questions. Theonomy is a passionate hobby of mine, and I'm always glad to answer any questions on such matters with whatsoever Biblical teaching the Good Book offers. (To the best of my fallible human ability).