Summary
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This paper is an interdisciplinary work which will explore the movement from conflict to restoration in both the Canadian Criminal Justice system and in Christian theological ethics. Reconciliation and restorative justice are not the same yet the expected outcomes are similar. The two processes appear to be parts of separate streams but I will show how the two can be valuable dialogical partners each improving its own processes by incorporating facets from the other into its own field. I outline how the criminal justice system could improve its track record of achieving true restoration by incorporating the heart language of lament, judgement, embrace, forgiveness and wholeness found in the works of such notable theologians as Walter Brueggemann, Gregory Jones and Miroslav Volf. This paper is part of a much larger work which also explores how the theological understanding of reconciliation is inadequate and proposes a further step which would move participants from reconciliation to restoration. If time permits, this process will be outlined so that session attendees can discuss it. Abstract courtesy of the Centre for Justice and Peace Development, Massey University, http://justpeace.massey.ac.nz.
