Discussion Board 3
Historically, criminal activity has been viewed as an expression of a sinful nature
and the accountability for those actions fell on those individuals because of the
choices they have made. However, studies over the last century have shown that
in some cases, such as mental illness, the person is not necessarily responsible.
Robertson McQuilkin states, “The end result of the general acceptance of this
approach was to distinguish between criminals who were normal and thus
responsible for their crime and those who were abnormal and needed treatment,
not punishment.”[1] However, in light of the United States' battle with illegal drug
use, the punishment does not always seem to fit the crime.
h h h h h h h h h An increasing number of the country uses or has tried an illegal
substance. In 2013, it was reported that “24.6 million Americans 12 or older (9.4%
of the population) had used an illicit drug in the past month.”[2] While illegal drug
use normally begins with peer pressure or curiosity, the effects of the drug can be
addicting leading to the user experiencing difficulties stopping the usage. In most
cases, the purpose of punishment for illegal drug use is to be a deterrent,
McQuilkin proclaims, “if sure and swift punishment is the greatest deterrent, our
present system can hardly be expected to deter.”[3] Yet, while the focus of the
battle should be on those providing the illegal drugs, those incarcerated for its
use without proper avenues for treatment do not seem to fit the rehabilitation
purpose of punishment. The reason, McQuilkin explains, is that “most Western
governments have abandoned such efforts.”[4] Though few incarcerated persons
suffering from drug addictions, the NIDA states, “Initiating drug abuse treatment
in prison and continuing it upon release is vital to both individual recovery and to
public health and safety.”[5] However, rehabilitation in the case of illegal drug use
should be the first response of the legal system with the goal to provide a path
for the person to be a contributor to society. Because once labeled as a criminal,
the chances of that are slim. Michell Alexander agrees, “Even when released from
the system’s formal control, the stigma of criminality lingers.”[6] Therefore, the
Christian response should be to advocate for such responses, especially for first
or second offenses, in lieu of incarceration.
h h h h h h h h h h Though the Christian should advocate for rehabilitation prior to
incarceration, Christians still have a responsibility in participating in the
rehabilitation process while incarcerated through sharing Christ. McQuilkin agrees,
“the church and individual Christians must do all within their power to promote
the one thing that can rehabilitate—regeneration.”[7] Like Prison Fellowship
mentioned by McQuilkin, I have served with the Kairos Prison Ministry creating
friendships, sharing the gospel, and the forgiveness that is found through Jesus
Christ. It is a powerful ministry that has not only impacted those incarcerated for
illegal drugs but those who have committed more heinous crimes such as rape
and murder. I disagree with the author when he states, “To say ‘you can’t legislate
morality’ is false.”[8] Someone once said, “The reason we have thousands of
pages of laws today is that humanity could not follow 10.” It is the power of a
changed heart through Jesus Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit that uncovers
the morality of God’s image-bearer. As a result, while many of these men may
never see the other side of the fence, their rehabilitated life provides them an
opportunity to contribute to the cause of Christ while inside. Therefore, while the
Christian response includes the desire for justice and the protection of the
innocent, the church and the individual Christian must seek out the lost sheep,
going to where they are.
h h h h h h h h h h h h [1] Robert McQuilkin and Paul Copan, An Introduction to Biblical Ethics:
Walking in the Way of Wisdom, (Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2013), 429.
h h h h h h h h h h h h [2] SA Content Team, “Illegal Drug Abuse: What is Illegal Drug Abuse?,”
Substance Abuse, Jan 22, 2020. https://www.substanceabuse.com/drug-
addiction/illegal-drugs/ (Links to an external site.) Accessed April 29, 2021.
h h h h h h h h h h h h [3] McQuilkin, An Introduction, 432.
h h h h h h h h h h h h [4] Ibid.
h h h h h h h h h h h h [5] NIDA. "What role can the criminal justice system play in addressing
drug addiction?." National Institute on Drug Abuse, June 3, 2020,
https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/principles-drug-addiction-treatment-
research-based-guide-third-edition/frequently-asked-questions/what-role-can-
criminal-justice-system-play-in-addressing Accessed Apr. 29, 2021.
h h h h h h h h h h h h [6] Michelle Alexander, The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the
Age of Colorblindness, (The New Press, 2012), 141.
h h h h h h h h h h [7] McQuilkin, An Introduction, 441.
h h h h h h h h h h [8] Ibid., 431.
h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h
h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h
h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h
h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h Bibliography
Michelle Alexander, The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of
Colorblindness, The New Press, 2012,
McQuilkin, Robert, and Paul Copan. An Introduction to Biblical Ethics: Walking in the
Way of Wisdom. Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2013.
NIDA. "What role can the criminal justice system play in addressing drug
addiction?." National Institute on Drug Abuse, June 3, 2020.
https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/principles-drug-addiction-treatment-
research-based-guide-third-edition/frequently-asked-questions/what-role-can-
criminal-justice-system-play-in-addressing Accessed Apr. 29, 2021.
SA Content Team, “Illegal Drug Abuse: What is Illegal Drug Abuse?,” Substance
Abuse, Jan 22, 2020. https://www.substanceabuse.com/drug-addiction/illegal-
drugs/ (Links to an external site.) Accessed April 29, 2021. h h h h h
