Turning away from retribution: How criminology might find inspiration in Christian theology

Criminology is a subject that has always drawn inspiration from a range of other disciplines, be it sociology, psychology, law, biology or even literature. Yet one discipline has been overlooked – theology. This is a surprising oversight as it is a subject similarly interested in ideas of justice, transgression, mercy and forgiveness. In a new edited collection Criminology and Public Theology, the possible relevance of Christian theology is considered, where hope, mercy and restoration are offered as fundamental alternatives to criminal justice orthodoxy.