[worst-case scenario]

Masterful and extremely informative answer. You really know this issue. Plus, you have taught me a new word - “theonomy” - which I hadn’t heard before, and that’s a true and rare pleasure.

Is there any movement to get these Biblical precepts enacted into law? Because it is sure tat if these were the penalties for Corporate crime, the criminals would have to think long and hard. (Of course, they might think long and hard about even better ways to hide their malfeasance.)

[Christian_Capitalist]

Masterful and extremely informative answer. You really know this issue. Plus, you have taught me a new word - “theonomy” - which I hadn’t heard before, and that’s a true and rare pleasure. Is there any movement to get these Biblical precepts enacted into law?

There is, but there is a disagreement amongst Theonomists -- between the "Reconstructionist" school, and the "Christian libertarian" school.

• "Reconstructionists" believe that Christians should seek to re-establish most or all of the Old Testament laws, "Both Tables" of the Ten Commandments -- including laws against Blasphemy, Idolatry, rebellion against parents, etc.
• "Christian libertarians" believe that the Government's obligations under the New Covenant are described by Paul in Romans 13:1-10 as being restricted to enforcing the "Second Table" or "Civil Law" of the Ten Commandments (the last five Commandments): "For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." (Romans 13:9) Now, since we do believe that the Government should penalize Adultery (as a malicious breach of contract), we're not exactly Ayn Rand libertarians; but we do not believe that modern Governments are supposed to legislate on the "First Table" or "Religious Law".

So, there's mutual agreement amongst all Theonomists on the value of looking to Scripture as the source of our Legal principles, but there's disagreement over whether modern Civil Governments are supposed to enforce both the Civil Laws and the Religious Laws of the Bible, or only the Civil Laws (as per Romans 13:9). You can probably tell from my biases that I'm an advocate of the latter school.

Because it is sure tat if these were the penalties for Corporate crime, the criminals would have to think long and hard. (Of course, they might think long and hard about even better ways to hide their malfeasance.)

And of course, if a financial criminal knew himself to be guilty, he'd doubtless have his defense lawyer argue that his injurious actions were merely negligent Malfeasance (requiring 120% repayment) rather than intentional Theft (requiring a 200 to 500% repayment, depending on the particulars of the case). But, that is why we have Judges and Jury Trials, to try to discern the truth and the weight if guilt in such matters.