We would like to think that forgiveness moves toward reconciliation
and that reconciliation moves toward patterns of life that
are based in trust and are just and equitable. This would
appear to be the conclusion of Psalm 85:10 – the meaningful
meeting place of truth, mercy, justice, and peace (Lederach).
Such relationships might be called restorative, or we might
use the term “restorative justice.” To be reconciled to another,
not merely to tolerate the other, means that change is required
on the part of both parties as we seek the restoration of
each other, something we or the other may or may not be prepared
to do (Volf). Another way to refer to such new patterns of
relationship is to use the term “repairative” justice or even
“transformative” justice. This perspective about how we might
live together draws upon the Hebrew Bible, or both OT and
NT assumptions – and also upon the best wisdom traditions
of indigenous peoples and other religions or faith traditions.
It emphasizes the humanity of both victims and victimizers.
It seeks to repair social connections, to foster peace rather
than retribution against offenders (Minow, 92).
1) Various Definitions: Most agree that restorative
justice promotes healing, but the kind of healing depends
upon the nature of the breach. One focus is to see crime as
more than simply law-breaking, an offense against governmental
laws and regulations. Instead, RJ advocates also see crime
as causing multiple injuries to victims, the community and
the offender (Zehr, 181-186). Another lens is to view the
criminal justice process as one that should help repair the
injuries brought about by crime (Wright, 114-117). Still others
protest the government’s monopoly over society’s response
to crime. Victims, offenders, and their communities must also
be involved as early as possible and as much as possible (Van
Ness, 31).
2) Consider the Following Example: Carolyn
Boys-Watson, director of the Center for Restorative Justice,
Suffolk University, defines our term in the following way:
“Restorative justice is a broad term which encompasses a growing
social movement to institutionalize peaceful resolutions to
criminal and human rights violations. These range from international
peacemaking tribunals such as the Truth and Reconciliation
Commission of South Africa to innovations within our courts,
jails, and prisons, such as victim-offender dialogue, community
justice committees and victim impact panels. Rather than privileging
the law and the state, restorative justice engages the victim,
offender and the affected community in search of solutions
that promote repair and reconciliation. Restorative justice
seeks to build partnerships to re-establish mutual responsibility
for constructive responses to crime and wrongdoing within
our communities.”
3) Examples of Recent Literature Include:
• Shay Bilchik, Guide for Implementing the Balanced and
Restorative Justice Model. Report (US Dept. of Justice
Office of Justice Programs, 1998).
• Michael L. Hadley, ed., The Spiritual Roots of Restorative
Justice (Albany: SUNY, 2001).
• Martha Minow, Between Vengeance and Forgiveness
(Beacon Press, 1999).
• Daniel Van Ness and Karen Strong, Restoring Justice
(Anderson, 1997).
• Barry Stuart, Building Community Justice Partnerships:
Community Peacemaking Circles (Yukon: Community Peacemaking
Circles, n.d./1996?).
• Howard Zehr, Changing Lenses. A New Focus for Crime
and Justice (Herald Press, 1995).
• Miroslav Volf, Exclusion and Embrace. A Theological
Exploration of Identity, Otherness, and Reconciliation
(Abingdon, 1996).
• Martin Wright, Justice for Victims and Offenders
(Open University Press, 1991).
