Understanding the concepts and theory of deviancy should be helpful to us as salt in the world. As our author suggests, it will heighten our concern about the oppressed, sensitize us to legal controls, assist us in ministering to deviant segments, aid is in developing a more effective ministry to deviant populations, and make us aware of the problems of social and economic injustice. One way we can become more involved in the criminal justice system is through something called Restorative Justice. These are three principles that guide this program:
- Justice requires that we work to restore those who have been injured.
- Those most directly involved and affected by crime should have the opportunity to participate fully in the response if they wish.
- Government’s role is to preserve a just public order, and the community’s is to build and maintain a just peace.
The key values guiding these programs are encounter, amends, reintegration, and inclusion. They work through a variety of forums to bring justice to the victim and restoration to the offender. Their principles are built on biblical justice and the often bring victim and offenders together in a face-to-face encounter for mediation. I think their plan is pretty good and would like to see more communities adopting policies like this and more Christians involved in criminal justice movements that are based on scripture.
I have often wondered what would be the best view of criminal justice for the Christian. Obviously, there are certain things that the Bible clearly states are wrong in any society and gives punishments for them (the one I’m thinking of is capital punishment, but even that is controversial). However, in eleventh grade, I had to read the book In His Steps by Charles Sheldon. Even though Sheldon borders on being an extreme follower of the Social Gospel, I thought he painted a good picture of what justice for the Christian should look like. And it was along the same lines as Restorative Justice–working with individuals on a personal level to restore the one wronged and the one who did the wrong. Basically, I think it literally takes being Jesus to people in need. Yes, we have to help them understand that what they did is wrong, but then we can let them know that they can be forgiven and given a second chance.
I agree with Emily when she says that we need to be Jesus to people. I don’t agree that these people don’t know what they have done is wrong. Even if someone does not believe in Jesus, or hasn’t heard of salvation from sin and death, doesn’t mean they are ignorant to what may be right in wrong. Yes, we have the obligation to tell these people of an awesome gift, but I dont believe we can do something about our countries view of punishment. Capital Punishment is a controversial topic, but our Country is still enforcing it.
I’m pretty sure that the missions orginization my uncle works with is Prison International Fellowship. I don’t know much about what he does other than building relationships and witnessing to inmates.
Restorative justice seems great because it finds a way to bring something positive out of something negative. It would be difficult confronting someone that has wronged you face-to-face, as you said, if you didn’t have the forgiveness and grace of God to model after. I would think that perhaps restorative justice would only work in certain cases and with only certain crimes. I realize that God could turn around the life of a murderer, but the government must enforce the punishment and not allow the murderer to return to society to be reintegrated.
Most people have certain presumptions about people who are ex-criminals, such as that they are dangerous people. Yes, it is hard to trust someone who has been convicted of past crimes, but Jesus told His children to show love to them. Christian organizations have been developed for just about anything, even in helping the reabilitation of criminals back into society. We need to accept everyone as equals, because God looks at all sinners equal. God doesn’t see a the difference between a murderer and a thief; God sees both as sinners. Christians need to see all unbelievers as lost people in need of a Savior. In relation to Christians addressing the justice system in America, Jesus said for his disciples to be obedient to government, so we need to trust and believe that the justice system is doing the right thing.
I truly agree about the observations of Michel that Jesus has also loved the sinners. It is also clear that nobody has to judge one’s sin because the only one who will judge us is God.
However, I think as we live in this world God has also given the men sort of ‘the power’ to stop crimes that harms the people. That’s why we have institution where we can restore the justice. But current system of the justice sometime produced more crime.
If we were to be the salt of this world, many Christian should be involved in this area to restore the justice in biblical manner.
I think this idea of Restorative Justice is exactly what we, as Christians, need to be doing. Looking at Jesus in the gospels, this is the approach that He seems to have. Interestingly enough, a book I’m reading in another class of mine just discussed this idea of “Restorative Justice” (although it was called something else) and the author went so far to say that Restorative Justice was the purpose behind Jesus’ miracles. I realize that that is a whole different discussion, but the principle that applies is that Jesus seems to be way more concerned with restoring what was broken than pointing the finger, condemning, and walking away.
I’ve never really though about about restorative justice. Usually when you hear about someone doing something like committing a crime you hear about court decisions and the punishment given to the crime committer. I think that restorative justice is the answer that we need to adopt. So many times the perpetrator and the victim do not come face-to-face and talk about about what happened. I think that we as Christians should be more open with criminals as everyone makes mistakes and we all deserve second changes. I’m not saying that they should not get punished for what they did but if they understand forgiveness I think that there would be a bridge gapped to sharing Christ. I don’t know if any of this makes sense. I couldn’t really find the words for my thoughts. sorry.
God’s word tells us to confront our brother if we have a problem with something they are doing and then if they do not listen to what you have said then you should pull the elders into the situation to give better guidance. I think that this is a great thing that people should come face to face when there has been a crime. Though this would be very hard at times. I mean let’s face it, we are in a nonchristian world where there are unbelievers who do not understand the effect of forgivness. Some can never forgive or just don’t know how to. Though, if the victim were to confrom the perpetrature and forgive him/her I believe this would totally transform our judicial government because it would be something that no one has ever seen. Though people may take advantage of it, and not appreciate the forgiveness of the victims. It would be a marvelous idea and most glorifying to the Lord. I think that many would come to see the forgivness of Christ and come to know Him.
I think that is a really good idea too and would love to see it being done in more places but the problem is, and i guess that this will go away if it were done more, but, the problem that i see is that this only works if you are a Christian and you understand WHY revenge isn’t the best way to go about punishment. I mean, if you think about it, that is what it is all about. The victim of the crime often wants revenge on his or her criminal. In order for the stuff that the author was talking about to work, people would have to understand grace and mercy and so it would only work with Christians. but, i guess the cool thing about that would be that as people who don’t understand see what Christians are doing and how they are reacting to crime, they will ask questions and wonder and hopefully want to understand what its all about…
I think that biblical justice is need in society especially the victim and offender. For the victim who has experienced powerlessness, biblical justice provides the opportunity to participate in the process and regain the element of control in one’s life. For the offender, biblical justice empowers the individual to take responsibility for his action and correct the wrong.
As a result, both the victim and offender get a good impaction by biblical justice.
I believe that Christians should definitely be actively involved in the criminal justice system. There are certain things that the Bible clearly states are wrong in any society and those who do those things should be punished. However, I feel that we should strive to assist individuals on a personal level to restore the one wronged and the one who did the wrong. We should reach out to those in need and be a reflection of Jesus to them. I believe that it is important that they understand that what they did is wrong, but that they also know that they can be forgiven fully regardless of what they have done.
I believe that Christians should be actively involved in the criminal justice system. There are certain things that the Bible clearly states are wrong in any society and those who do those things should be punished. However, I also believe that we should work with individuals to restore the one wronged and the one who did the wrong. I believe that we should reach out to those suffering and be a reflection of Jesus to them. I also feel that we should help them understand that what they did is wrong, but also make sure that they know that they can be forgiven fully regardless of what they have done.
I believe that Christians should be involved in the criminal justice system. There are certain things that the Bible clearly states are wrong in any society and I believe that those who do them should be punished. However, I believe that we should help restore the one wronged and the one who did the wrong. I believe that we should reach out to those suffering and be a relfection of Jesus to them. Yes, we have to help them understand that what they did is wrong, but then we can let them know that they can be forgiven and given a second chance.
I certainly agree with restorative justice. I’ve seem criminals that just need help to get on the right track. There are some that are truly repentant and really need counseling and teaching. Building relationships with criminals is absolutely necessary. Crime has a way of bringing isolation and loneliness into a person’s life and it is extremely necessary that Christians immerse themselves in this culture to provide stability and hope in Christ.
I had never heard of restorative justice before but I think it is a great idea. It would be hard for the victim to come face to face with the offender however, I think that it could be very beneficial to both the victim and the offender. It could help the victim to heal from emotional and mental wounds and it could cause the offender to see who they hurt and maybe ask forgiveness from them.
Also, I think it could cause a decrease in crimes because if the offender has to see the victim I think that many people would not commit the crime because they wouldn’t want to see who they hurt.
I like this idea but I don’t think it would work because too many people only want revenge and punishment for the offenders. As Justine says, if Christians would show grace and mercy for other people maybe non-christians would wonder why and start looking toward God.
Just as Angela said, i had also never heard of restorative justice , but after reading about it i think that is a very good thing. Everyone sins and makes mistakes, i believe that even the cruelest of people can become like christ by becoming a christian. I think that they deserve a second chance, and just as Angela said, go and ask forgiveness of the victim that was hurt and make amends.
It is very important for Christians to be involved in the criminal justice system. This is important because as Christians we should have a great understanding of justice, as well as penalty. God’s Word gives countless examples of both topics, and we have been well instructed as to how punishment and sacrifice works in relation to God. Also, Christian could completely turn our criminal justice system upside down, by fully engaging in active witness to those who are in prison, paying the consequences for their action.