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.
j j j j j j j j j 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.
j j j j j j j j j j 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.
j j j j j j j j j j j j j [1] Robert McQuilkin and Paul Copan, An Introduction to Biblical Ethics: Walking
in the Way of Wisdom, (Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2013), 429.
j j j j j j j j j j j j j [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.
j j j j j j j j j j j j j [3] McQuilkin, An Introduction, 432.
j j j j j j j j j j j j j [4] Ibid.
j j j j j j j j j j j j j [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.
j j j j j j j j j j j j j [6] Michelle Alexander, The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of
Colorblindness, (The New Press, 2012), 141.
j j j j j j j j j j j [7] McQuilkin, An Introduction, 441.
j j j j j j j j j j j [8] Ibid., 431.
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j
j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j 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. j j j j j
