Justice That Heals: A Biblical Vision for Victims and Offenders (Restorative Justice Classics)

How do we deal with crime? It is inescapable. Since 1960, crime in the U.S. has increased 500% while the population has grown by only 41%. What is our responsibility to the victim and the offender? What is the Christian response? Explore the inadequacies of North American criminal justice systems and discover the alternative the Bible has to offer. Listen to stories of those involved in the system and from those pursuing a more "restorative justice." Hear clearly God's words of hope, challenge, and counsel. Endorsements: "Boers's critique of criminal justice is a call to the churhc. His challenge of traditional concepts of justice calls the church to apply its mission of reconciliation to those hurt by criminal acts: the offender, the victim, and the community. Anyone looking for a study/discussion source that examines a Christian response to criminal justice will find this book both disturbing and enlightening." --Harold R. Regier, Former Director, Offender Victim Ministries, Inc. "No one can be content with the state of our prisons today, Here is a book which may help us forward. It gives us new perspectives of hope on complex issues, involving both victim and offender. Above all, it is accessible to people hwool ack expert knowledge of the criminal justice system. It has a freshness and a wisdom sorely needed in the discussion of penal affairs today." --Rt. Rev. R. M. Hardy, Former Bishop of Lincoln, England, and Former Bishop to HM Prisons About the Contributor(s): Arthur Paul Boers teaches pastoral theology at Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary. A Mennonite minister and Benedictine oblate, he has pastored in rural and urban settings in the U.S. and Canada. The author of six books, his degrees include the following: DMin, MTh in Pastoral Counseling, MDiv, and an MA in Peace Studies. Boers, a Canadian, is the oldest child of Dutch immigrants. He and spouse Lorna McDougall are the parents of two young adults.