Does Christian Conversion Reduce Recidivism?
Secular rehabilitation programs have been found wanting. They do not reduce recidivism rates. Does Christianity? This question can not be answered at this time. First, there are inadequate data from which to draw conclusions statistically about the impact of Christianity upon recidivism. This is one of the conclusions of Richard and Mary Knudten after the most extensive review extant of the literature on the relationship between religion and crime.24 Second, it may be difficult to know which criminals have in fact been converted. Consequently, statistical correlation of conversion and subsequent criminal behavior would contain the possibility of errors even if the sociological data were available. The difficulty in identifying converts can be seen by the fact that even ministers can be unconverted. Two centuries ago, Gilbert Tennent preached a fiery sermon entitled “The Danger of an Unconverted Ministry.” That problem still exists. Conversion is primarily a matter of one’s spiritual re
