ABSTRACT
This chapter considers some of the ways that traditional Christian thinking has shaped the defences of insanity (mental disorder), necessity, provocation and consent. It then considers whether changes to these defences might be supported by relying on alternative strands of Christian thinking. The overarching aim of the chapter is to explore how studying criminal law in conjunction with religion can provide a deeper and more critical understanding of the laws we have and new and different ways of addressing challenges that arise within, or because of, these laws.
