Both McQuilkin makes a very interesting statement on the topic of Social
Justice. He says, “the American system of imprisonment is the primary
sanction against crime, whereas, in Scripture, it was not mandated for
that purpose. The prison system has utterly failed in three of the four
purposes of punishment. It only functions well as a just form of
punishment.”1. I have the privilege of being married to someone who
works in a ministry that focuses on rehabilitating minors addicted to
drugs. In our conversation, the general opinion is that if they are punished
by getting sent to jail, then they will not dare to mess with those things
again. The reality is that no time in prison will fix or mend what only can
be done through the blood of Jesus. When you look at the problem of
addiction, it is a sin issue at its root. Consequently, they (and all of us) are
in desperate need of a relationship with Jesus. Like McQuilkin points out,
the system of imprisonment lacks the capability to deal with this
appropriately. For this reason, I take the stances that those minors who
are struggling with minor drug offenses need to be sent to a facility where
they are challenged and encouraged to build a relationship with Jesus.
1
1McQuilkin states, “Surely a society with creativity sufficient to put a
person on the moon need not settle for a failed system of punishment
here on earth.”31He is so right in feeling this way about how we deal with
these kids. I have had the opportunity to hear some of their testimony and
how they have been abused or led even more astray while being in some
sort of imprisonment. In contrast, in a ministry where a relationship with
Jesus is the focus, these kids are introduced and encouraged to participate
in a discipleship process where they can grow mature. The goal would be
for them to be in a setting where people are not casting stones at them,
but like Jesus, they would be loved and nurtured. I will conclude with a
thought by Ken Blanchard. He says, “The change that Jesus came to
introduce was not a minor adjustment to current thinking and behavior
that would allow for better levels of performance within an existing
system. The change He came to lead was radical and revolutionary. He
came to turn the world upside down and then right side up by making love
the preeminent standard for all aspects of relationships. Jesus calls all
those who follow Him to carry out their specific assignments in bringing
this change to their generation.”3
111J. Robertson McQuilkin and Paul Copan,1An Introduction to Biblical
Ethics: Walking in the Way of Wisdom1(Downers Grove, II: IVP, An Imprint
of Intervarsity Press, 2014), 436.
1
21Ibid., 437.
1
31Kenneth H. Blanchard, Phil Hodges, and Phyllis Hennecy Hendry1Lead
like Jesus Revisited: Lessons from the Greatest Leadership Role Model of
All Time1(Nashville, Tennessee: W Publishing Group, An Imprint of Thomas
Nelson, 2016), 246.
1
