Discussion Thread: Crime and Punishment
In the chapter "Crime and Punishment" (429-443 in McQuilken and Copan), various
alternatives to prison are presented, and a short section deals with "Christian
Responsibility for Criminal Justice." Consider the ideas presented in these sections
specifically in light of the USA's continuing battle with illegal drug use. (In light of this,
also be aware that Michelle Alexander, in The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in an
Age of Colorblindness [The New Press, 2012], has pointed out that millions of young men
are in prison today for minor drug possession offenses or small crimes). Consider the
different possibilities and Christian responses in this chapter, and defend, in your initial
post, a possible way to deal with minor drug offenses that might be more effective than jail
terms. You may want to do some internet searching on the matter as well--and if so, include
the sources at the bottom of your initial thread.
As part of the ongoing war against illegal drug usage in the United States, alternate
methods of dealing with minor drug and first time non-violent offense and have been developed
and made available. One thing that should be considered is that a person who has drug addiction
may not be using drugs for recreational purposes only. Depression, anxiety or some other bodily
discomfort resulting in disease or mental illness may be a factor in why a person is using illegal
drugs. In this modern age and the fact that now doctors are prescribing marijuana to help ease
suffering, the use of illegal drugs is a form of self medicating and can be a viable option in some
cases such as various forms of cancer. To add to that some of the narcotic are more readily
available not to mention even less expensive than some of the prescription medications. There
are many factors that should be considered in accessing a penalty for first time offenders. Before
we pronounce judgment we first need to evaluate or examine the individual’s situation. But if
one wants to develop a more realistic alternative to incarceration rather than stockpiling
offenders. “In their discussion of the Christian obligation to criminal justice, McQuilkin and
Copan related to one important point: Christians must fight for a just and compassionate society
that adheres to God’s norms.”1
To that end Jesus death on the cross demonstrates this; even though all humanity was
guilty of sin, Christ took the penalty upon Himself to bring humanity back into right relationship
with the Father. Stephen Williams also stated that we must recognize that “humanity is flawed
and that individual’s acct in a manner that is the result of this flaw.”2 Consequently, a
conventional approach to rehabilitation is not always suitable. In our best effort our primary goal
should be restoration of the sinner/ criminal back to their previous condition. Because God’s
fundamental objective in punishment has always been rehabilitation of the sinner. God asks,
“Does it give me any joy to see the death of the wicked, rather than seeing him repent from his
evil ways and live?”3
It is a known fact that the guilty must be punished, however we need to be keenly aware
that all have fallen and come short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23). What I have notice is my
community is that some of the Churches have responded to the call by establishing Christ-
centered drug clinics and more outreach and training in trades such as welding, auto mechanics
for the minor drug offenders and in some cases the others as well looking to turn their situations
around. The community center offers men and women offenders while at the same time bringing
the lost to Christ in a worship atmosphere. This is a healthy alternative to introduce the offender
back to the community which I am pleased to be a part of. There are many churches that offer
drug treatment programs based on Christ’s teaching and are self-funded. However we going one
step further to teach them a trade and introduce them back into society assisting them in some
1 McQuilkin, Robert, and Paul Copan. An Introduction To Biblical Ethics: Walking in the
Way of Wisdom. Downer’s Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2013.
2 Williams, Stephens N. “An International Journal of Biblical Ethics: Walking in the Way of Wisdom.” Ethics &
Medicine: An International Journal of Bioethics 31, no. 3 (2015): 192-193.
3 Rebeecca McLaughlin, Confronting Christianity: 12 Hard Questions for the World’s Largest Religion. Wheaton,
Illinois: Crossway, 2019.
cases with job placement. We know we cannot help them all (not on our part but due to the fact
that some of them not want to be helped) but our message is to reach as many as we can, because
we are just the arms , legs, feet, and mouth pieces for Christ in the earth. We are in the process
of acquiring a school so that we can go full scale with housing, church, and weekly Bible study
which we offered now. However, once we acquire the building it will be like dorm rooms and
boarding.
