In "Crusader's Cross," author James Lee Burke presents the idea that the origins of serial killers stem more from theological issues than from societal influences. He suggests that these individuals have the ability to consciously choose to disconnect from a moral or divine presence in their lives. This perspective implies that their actions are a deliberate rejection of a higher moral authority, which Burke refers to as "God's thumbprint."

Burke's assertion challenges the commonly held belief that societal conditions primarily shape a person's capacity for extreme violence. Instead, he emphasizes an internal moral struggle, arguing that serial killers actively decide to turn away from the inherent goodness associated with a divine creator. This theological viewpoint prompts a deeper examination of the nature of evil and personal accountability in the context of human behavior.