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Frequently Asked QuestionsRestorative Justive
1. What is Restorative Justice?Typically in our society, when someone has committed harm, we are accustomed to determining blame, considering the “just deserts” for the wrongdoer, and doling out the appropriate punishment. Beyond retribution and punishment, this approach does not fully consider who has been hurt in the incident, what the needs are to make things right, and what is a meaningful way to prevent this from happening again. “Restorative Justice” is a way of addressing harm that holds these considerations as central. Based in biblical principles of “shalom” (harmony) and peacemaking, restorative justice seeks to respond to harm in ways that encourage meaningful accountability, healing, and reconciling relationships where possible. Top 2. Is “Restorative Justice” a new idea?“Restorative Justice” is simply a new name being applied to an age-old concept and tradition. In the last two decades, this manner of addressing harm has gained exposure and popularity as people become increasingly frustrated with the ineffectiveness of the retributive and punishment-oriented approaches. Restorative justice has been practiced for centuries across different cultures and faith communities, and may carry different names such as “Healing Justice”, “Biblical Justice”, “Transformative Justice”, and “Relational Justice”. In many indigenous cultures, it is the natural way of approaching justice issues and does not have any designated name. Top 3. How is this Biblically based? What about “an eye for an eye”?The God of the Bible is a God of “shalom” (peace / right relationship). God “is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and relents from sending calamity.” (Joel 2:13). Passages in the Old Testament that suggest vengeance must be read in the greater context of a merciful and loving God. "To me belong vengeance and recompense" (Deut. 32:35) and "You shall not take vengeance...but shall love your neighbor as yourself" (Lev. 19:18) are themes that recur frequently in the Old Testament. In addition, the practical intent and meaning of many Old Testament laws was on limiting retaliation. "An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a life for a life" was prescribed as a limitation on retribution and not a command to seek vengeance. Into the New Testament, the central message in Jesus Christ is one of forgiveness and reconciliation: "All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation." (II Cor 5:18). The Christ who refused to endorse the stoning of the woman taken in adultery would have us speak to the world of compassion, not vengeance. Therefore, as people of faith, we can be confident that the biblical call to justice is a restorative one—one that seeks both accountability and healing. Top 4. As Christians, shouldn’t we turn the other cheek when we’ve been harmed?Jesus’ mandate to “turn the other cheek” is not a license for others to commit harm without being held accountable. Most interpretations of the Sermon on the Mount (and especially Matthew 5:38-42) are clear that Jesus was suggesting a more radical response to harm. Rather than allowing ourselves to be taken advantage of, we lovingly challenge persons who are causing harm to be accountable for the harm and to think twice about what they have done. By challenging accountability for the harm that’s been done and leaving room for reconciliation, we are essentially living out the “Upside-Down” Kingdom that Christ demonstrated. In this way, when we encounter others who are causing harm, we want to respectfully call them to account, and encourage them to fulfill their obligations to make things right. Top 5. How will people learn right from wrong if we don’t focus on punishment? Don’t there have to be consequences for harmful actions?Restorative justice is committed to direct accountability and healing what has been broken, as much as that is possible. In many cases, punishment is not what is needed to teach right from wrong, but rather helping the wrongdoer gain greater understanding of the impact of his/her actions. Certainly, obligations are created when someone has caused harmed, and those obligations must be met. In doing so, however, the meeting of obligations must not be imposed as meting out pain for the wrongdoer, but rather encouraging that person to take responsibility in ways that address the harm and help prevent further harmful behaviour. Top |
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