Bible Studies and Meditations on Biblical Themes

The following may be used for group or individual study and reflection on restorative justice in light of biblical teaching.

Centre for Justice and Reconciliation. Building Peace, Building Right Relationships: Restorative Justice Week, 14-21 November

Each lesson in this guide begins with a scripture passage, is followed by a brief meditation, and concludes with reflection questions. These can be usefully included in your observance of Restorative Justice Week. (excerpt)

Greenwood, Jean. Restorative justice and the dynamics of faith.

The theological enterprise is always at risk of remaining theoretical, artful, and inspiring, yet ultimately insipid if not brought to life in the concrete. We live and work in community, in the realm of interpersonal relationships, and we all know intimately the joys and challenges of being together, given our differences. Who among us has not felt pain in relationships? Who has not felt regret and remorse as one who evoked pain? Still, while we preach reconciliation and restoration, we may have few compelling personal experiences to fuel our convictions. My experience with restorative justice has put flesh on the bare bones of my theology of reconciliation and vigor into my convictions. I feel as if I've moved from simply preaching reconciliation to participating in it, facilitating it, and living it in fuller measure. It began in this way. (excerpt)

Church Council on Justice and Corrections. Resources for Worship & Study.

Suggested resources for worship services, healing rituals, liturgical drama, bible study, devotionals and personal reflection for the Fire in the Rose Program which helps congregations respond to issues of violence and abuse. (excerpt)

Reimer, Dalton. "Visions and Dreams" and "The Value of Persons"

Biblical meditations on justice.

A justice that reconciles -- new study guide from Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand

 

Restorative justice and the story of Cain and Abel

from Ellen's entry on Fidgety Feet: I'm taking a class in restorative justice, which I was interested in, but wished I could have taken it in-class with a certain professor at TUFW. I was thinking the online class wouldn't be as good. I have learned so much in 6 lessons; it has made me read the Bible differently, understand some of the words and teachings of Jesus differently and it makes characteristics that I knew about God jump out of the pages of familiar stories. I feel like I am reading these for the first time! The story of Cain and Abel. It's pretty short; Chapter 4 of Genesis. Cain kills his younger brother Abel, Cain is marked and has to roam the earth forever.

Boers, A P. Justice That Heals: A Biblical Vision for Victims and Offenders.

This book explores the inadequacies of North American criminal justice systems and discusses the alternatives the Bible has to offer. Chapters discuss the anguish of victims, the anguish of offenders, justice in the Old Testament, justice in the New Testament, the purpose of law, a critique of imprisonment, alternatives to prison, restorative responses to victims and offenders, and what Christians can do for restorative justice. Each chapter includes discussion questions and aids to reflection. Ron Claassen includes an epilogue calling for church-based victim offender reconciliation programs. Eddy Hall includes a guide for leading study groups of Boers text.

Boers, A P. Justice That Heals: A Biblical Vision for Victims and Offenders.

This book explores the inadequacies of North American criminal justice systems and discusses the alternatives the Bible has to offer. Chapters discuss the anguish of victims, the anguish of offenders, justice in the Old Testament, justice in the New Testament, the purpose of law, a critique of imprisonment, alternatives to prison, restorative responses to victims and offenders, and what Christians can do for restorative justice. Each chapter includes discussion questions and aids to reflection. Ron Claassen includes an epilogue calling for church-based victim offender reconciliation programs. Eddy Hall includes a guide for leading study groups of Boers text.

Griffith, Lee. The fall of the prison: Biblical perspectives on prison abolition

Lee Griffith argues in this book that the Gospel of Jesus Christ proclaims good news with respect to those in prison, and this good news consists of freedom for the prisoners. The message of God’s liberating power can be found consistently throughout the Bible, but the focal point of the message as regards prisoners can be found in Jesus’ quotation from the prophet Isaiah. As recorded in Luke 4, Jesus, reading from Isaiah 61, declares that he has come to proclaim release to the prisoners. Griffith interprets Jesus’ declaration to be clear and radical – that Jesus means the literal release of prisoners. Therefore, Griffith contends that the Church, in radical obedience to the good news proclaimed and lived by Jesus, must be a witness to and agent for the abolition of prisons in our day. That is the gist of his argument in this thoughtful and provocative book. The elements of his argument are detailed and nuanced. He begins by contending for the relevance of the Gospel to prisons. This leads to examination of prisons and the social order, especially in the United States. In particular, he considers issues of rehabilitation, deterrence, and retribution. Next, he examines prisons in light of the Old and New Testaments and the life of Jesus – with emphasis on Jesus as a prisoner, arrested and executed. Following this, Griffith scrutinizes the theology and historical record of the Church in relation to prisoners and prisons. Griffith concludes with discussion of the implications of the Gospel for Christian discipleship with respect to those in prison and the prisons in which they are held.

Booth, Cherie. Themes of Restorative Justice Found in the Story of Zacchaeus

He may be a Sunday school favourite, but Zacchaeus was also a master in white collar theft. Tax collectors were outcasts in society - not just because they were collecting money for the Roman Empire, but because they appear to have been lining their own pockets at the same time. And as a chief tax collector we can assume that Zacchaeus was masterminding the whole racket. In calling him down from the tree, Jesus is engineering a meeting between Zacchaeus and the people he has wronged. Initially, the crowd is outraged with Jesus for befriending a man whose behaviour has spread fear and mistrust even amongst those he hasn't stolen from directly. And who can blame them? (abstract)

Centre for Justice and Reconciliation. Where Love and Justice Meet.

Very often justice and love are understood as distinct and even opposing values and aims. On the one hand, justice is commonly depicted as harsh judgment, as punishment without mercy.On the other hand, love is perceived as sentimentality where wrong-doing is simply overlooked without consequence. The Bible offers a different view of justice and love. Both are integral parts of God’s character. God is a righteous judge (Psalm 7:7; 2 Timothy 4:8).At the same time, God is love (1 John 4:8).How then does the Bible define justice and love? What does it mean that justice and love both characterize God? What do justice and love mean for us? Where do they meet in our world? In this study, we will explore these issues and questions.We will look at what it means for followers of Jesus to “act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with…God” (Micah 6:8). We will also pursue what it means to “love your neighbor as yourself ” (Matthew 22:39. (excerpt)

Centre for Justice and Reconciliation. What is restorative justice?

This study explores key principles of restorative justice including encounter, amends, inclusion, and reintegration. The study also suggests how to apply those concepts in our lives.

Centre for Justice and Reconciliation. Philemon: A Case Study in Peacemaking.

This study explores issues relating to victims, offenders and the impact of crime by reflecting on Paul’s short letter on behalf of the ex-offender Onesimus. The study is suitable for individual reflection and for group discussion.

Centre for Justice and Reconciliation. Steps to Reconciliation.

This study explores 5 key elements for conflict resolution and reconciliation. These elements are: 1) taking responsibility; 2) Confession and Repentance; 3) Forgiveness; 4) Making Amends; and 5) Reconciliation.

Lawless, Charles Jr.. Restorative Justice Mentoring Bible Study for Offenders and Ex-offenders of all Ages.

The LifeChange mentoring Bible study by Dr. Charles Lawless, Jr., was written especially for restoring juvenile offenders through responsible Christian living. The LifeChange mentoring experience is also being used with male and female adult offenders and ex-offenders, as well as with Christians of all ages in the local church setting. (distributors description)

Episcopal Church. Our Covenant with God:A Bible Study on Restorative Justice.

Our society’s criminal justice system -- like crime itself -- reflects and embodies a spirit of disrespect, dishonesty, force, domination, and control. The alternative, biblical way of responding to crime -- restorative justice -- is all about relationships. Healthy relationships are those based on respect, truth-telling, compassion (literally, “suffering with”), and solidarity. When a crime has taken place, a crime victim, his or her violator, and the local community are all in a place of great suffering, and whatever their relationships have been, they are now broken. All three parties, and all their relationships, need hope and healing. But this is prevented by an adversarial legal system, a political culture, and a mass media which portray victims and offenders, and those who care about one group or the other, as totally separate groups of people who are one another’s enemies. Jesus Christ -- who embodies the status of both lawbreaker and victim -- breaks down this mythology and binds up the brokenhearted and the broken relationships, if we will let him. He treats all with respect and compassion, and he always tells the truth. Thus he offers to all of us -- when we are victims and when we are violators -- the hope and healing we all need. The community of faith, made up of his followers, is called to do likewise. A major focus of Christian worship, education, preaching, and discipleship must be about helping those who would be his followers experience the beginning of what it means to be in compassion, solidarity, and respectful relationship with the victims, the violators, and the community. (excerpt)

Wildman, David. Jesus' Path to Restoring Justice.

Each year Christians around the world remember and celebrate the events of Holy Week. Jesus gave his life to heal the brokenness of our world and to restore God’s reign of love and justice for all. Yet today our world remains broken and divided by violence, fear and injustice. The dramatic movement that week from the peaceful palm-waving procession on Sunday to Jesus’ violent execution by the state on Friday poses disturbing questions. What triggered the state’s criminal justice system to change its policies from tolerating peaceful protest to restoring public order by force and cruel punishment? What hopes, what fears, what sense of justice did the crowd have that week? What transforms their hope-filled songs of "Hosanna!" into angry shouts of "Execute!" in just five days? (Excerpt)

. How to deal with criminals? Is there a biblical principle behind the punishment of those who break the law?

Restorative justice may be the "more excellent way." Restorative justice is not a replacement of retributive justice, but a complement. It seeks the rehabilitation of the wrongdoer and the repair of the victim's injury. The model for restorative justice may be the way that the apostle Paul urged on the Galatian church: "If a man be overtaken in a fault, you who are spiritual restore such a one in spirit of meekness." (excerpt)