The fragility of grace in a law focused land: reflections on ministry with young offenders

Abstract

ABSTRACT This article explores the nature of faith in a youth custody setting. Having outlined the context in which the research is based, I suggest that an instructional approach to Christian education – built upon a belief in a human predisposition to evil, an individualised soteriology, ecclesiocentric missiology and propensity for biblical literalism – is both familiar and attractive to children in custody. I then argue that such an approach can be both psychologically and spiritually damaging and that alternative pedagogical principles and praxis should be sought and embraced.