Criminal Law and Religion in Post-Reformation Scotland (original) (raw)

This paper explores the relationship between criminal law and religion in post-Reformation Scotland, focusing on Balfour's Practicks and Mackenzie's Matters Criminal. It analyses how natural law theory, influenced by Scholasticism and Calvinist thought, shaped the understanding and implementation of criminal law during this period. Key themes include the theological foundations of legal principles, the influence of biblical morality on secular law, and the implications for legislative practices.