Acknowledging that there certainly no lack of criticism against either of these institution, including in this magazine , we can still use them to draw some conclusions about what our society thinks is crucial before for offenders and sinners to be atoned. The first element of redemption is loss: In our current criminal justice system, which leans heavily towards retributive justice, this typically refers to a deprivation of liberty like jail or other confinement , and civic or economic privileges like voting or the right to public housing.
But the carceral approach favored by the federal and state justice systems in this country—which includes lengthy periods of banishment and, in too many instances, death sentences—is not the only method of inflicting loss on an offender. In societies where punishment is primarily intended to rehabilitate the offender, a loss of privileges may be necessary only if it could help transform the offender into a person who is able to participate in society without re-committing the offending behavior. Thus, loss in a rehabilitative context may look more temporary or less severe. Instead of confinement to a cell in a traumatizing and unsafe prison environment, punishment might look like a loss of autonomy, such as mandatory reporting to a parole officer or a therapist, the imposition of a curfew or restriction of movement for instance, not being allowed within a distance of a victim , or even the wearing of a tracking device.
In the real world, of course, theories of punishment are all very well, but the manner in which actual punishments are issued will always be influenced by the perceived gravity of the offense. This concept of victimization, as explained in greater detail by law professor Joshua Kleinfeld, plays into the severity of any punishment and by extension loss of liberty and privileges. In the worst iteration of our society, this idea of victimization leads adjudicators, and the general public, to use characteristics like race as proxies for the vulnerability and innocence of a victim.
But while race is a completely illegitimate proxy for severity of harm, there do exist characteristics that actually go to the vulnerability and innocence of a victim. For example, sexual harassment is undeniably always awful. But most of us would agree that it is objectively worse when an adult man harasses a nine-year-old girl walking to school along a deserted alley, than when he harasses a twenty-nine-year-old woman on a crowded street. Though both cases are inexcusable, we can see how, all other factors being equal, the harassment of the nine-year-old victim is at least a degree worse.
Jane Hwang Degenhardt
Thus, how much loss would satisfy this element of redemption for a confessed sexual harasser or abuser largely depends on our perspective on the social purpose of punishment, and the context of the offense, with respect to factors that may make the harm to individual victims more severe.
Those of us who support prison abolition tend to prioritize deterrence and rehabilitation, and thus would be less likely to require actual prison for this element to be satisfied.
The theory of punishment one favors also says a lot about the extent to which we believe people can change over time—a belief that, importantly, must be balanced against the importance of safeguarding other members of the community from physical and emotional harm. Inevitably, this case-by-case call will be impacted by many other factors, including whether the other three elements of redemption are met. On occasion, this restitution may come as the performance of service. More frequently, though, it consists of giving the victim something material, like money outright. The concept is simple enough, but this is actually tough in practice.
After all, offenders who have the power and money are known to placate their victims with settlements for thousands of dollars, and sometimes millions. Overwhelmingly, however, these settlements not only allow the perpetrator to pay up without any guilt, but also include nondisclosure clauses that indefinitely prohibit the victims from ever speaking out about their harrowing experience in any real detail. Moreover, a payout may offer a community very little guidance, as it wrestles with the risks it took by embracing the offender, or the responsibilities or rewards it gave them before knowing the harm this person was capable of inflicting.
Not all offenders are rich. But even if there was always plenty of money to throw at the problem, those of us whose offenders have no such means may wonder how far money could realistically redress the harm anyway. I would wager that no price can be put on recurring nightmares, intermittent panic attacks, or the inability to experience intimacy as freely again. Models of restorative justice often point to the performance of services as an alternative to paying back a victim or the community.
Though this option usually advocated for offenders of limited means, wealthy people should not be above serving others to make up for the damage they cause, perhaps in addition to a monetary settlement.
Undefiled: Redemption from Sexual Sin, Restoration for Broken Relationships
If we really care about redemption and believe that it is only possible when adequate restitution has been made, then we will have to think creatively, and look beyond mere monetary gestures. The church, meanwhile, suggests two different elements of redemption: And for people who privately seek religious or emotional absolution for their sins while also actively avoiding the legal, social, and material fallout of their actions, these definitely are a lot easier.
It becomes even more important as we grapple with the possibility that some of the other elements of redemption may, realistically, never be met. But there will be cases the legal system may never impose a loss truly proportionate to that harm.
Similarly, loss imposed by the community outside of the justice system—for example, a demotion of the offender or the retraction of a prestigious award—may feel deeply unsatisfactory. To express remorse, an offender must apologize to those they have hurt, and also—which is a slightly different thing—verbalize regret for the particular actions they committed. The most effective expressions of remorse will address both the victim and the community to which the offender belongs, however broadly this community may be defined.
Where the specific situation seems less likely to result in direct criminal or civil consequences for the perpetrator, the expression of remorse is even more critical. It is a way for the perpetrator to demonstrate that, regardless of what the state may say, they personally take responsibility for their actions. It demonstrates that, absent legal punishments that are not necessarily forthcoming, the offenders are nonetheless willing to incur the social or economic costs of their public admission of wrongdoing.
The fourth factor, penance, is the labor of proving through works that one has changed into a person other than the version of themselves that was capable of harming others. As with restitution, assessing what penance is appropriate is a tricky calculation. It requires us to ask ourselves some serious questions about what kind of effort it would take to convince us that an offender had truly changed.
We know that there is a difference between someone who committed an offense one time, thirty years ago and never again since, and someone who committed the same offense regularly and repeatedly for the last thirty years. Everywhere we turn there is more immorality, less restraint, more opportunities for different types of sexual sin, and more people who give in. As a pastor, I often tip towards despair in helping those who are struggling sexually.
By pointing the reader to Christ Dr. Schaumburg immediately brings light. His years of experience are also encouraging because he knows that Christ can change people. Third, he refuses to make excuses for sexual sin.
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He does not buy into the sexual sin is a disorder or disease. He does not allow our past to excuse us from our sins. Sin is given no quarter, though he does no assume easy answers either. Fourth, he encourages repentance as the beginning of change and does not start with behavior modification.
He does not give a list of ways to avoid porn or make your marriage affair proof. He starts with what is going on inside of us. Fifth, he pulls no punches, but is not profane. In our culture this is not an easy line to hold. But he is bold enough so that we know what he is talking about with being too graphic. Sixth, he makes our sexual life about bringing glory to God not about having great sex.
Are we serving the Lord?
Are we loving one another? He describes one couple who came for counseling who had a great sex life, but hated each other. Sex was a tool for them to get what they wanted. Great sex is not the goal. Seventh, he doesn't buy into the men are not into relationships slogan. Men want relationships just as much as women do. This does not make them the same as women, but it does remove one of the myths about men. Eighth, he does not just focus on the sinner, but also the one sinned against. Finally, he has a good grasp of masculine and feminine roles. The book was a bit a wandering at points and I wish he spent more time speaking to men who had been sinned against by women.
The focus was on men who sinned sexually, though women are mentioned. This makes sense because men have been the main problem for years. But that is shifting. More and more women are into porn and other types of sexual sin. Still an excellent book and for personally it cleared a lot of things up and gave me some good things to work on in my marriage. Dec 14, Jerry rated it it was amazing Shelves: Biblically centered approach to sexual healing and health. Oct 31, Berta Magdy rated it it was amazing. Harry is the foremost Christian expert on this subject.
Undefiled: Redemption From Sexual Sin, Restoration For Broken Relationships by Harry Schaumburg
He is not to be confused with psychologists who are Christians who counsel, believe that! His approach is phenomenal, his practice is unequaled. Yes, I've gone through his intensive and speak from experience. Real, clear, and incredibly accurate This book is a deep look into the heart and underlying issues of marriage, relationship, sexual immorality and sexual redemption. Every man and woman seeking to glorify God should read this book. Mar 08, Shanna Wright rated it it was amazing.
This might be just what every couple needs as a wedding gift! Apr 25, Becca Harris rated it it was amazing. Regardless of your marital status or sexual history, this book is for you! Dec 29, Judah Cofer rated it it was amazing Shelves: Recommended read for all Christian couples, and non-Christian for that matter. Brittany O'bryant rated it it was amazing Jun 13, Brad Shockley rated it liked it Mar 27, Debi Barrera rated it it was amazing May 25, Josiah rated it it was amazing Nov 20,