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Any duplication, reproduction, or modification of this material without express written consent from Asbury Theological Seminary and/or the original publisher is prohibited. Contact B.L. Fisher Library Asbury Theological Seminary 204 N. Lexington Ave. Wilmore, KY 40390 B.L. Fisher Library’s Digital Content place.asburyseminary.edu Asbury Theological Seminary 205 North Lexington Avenue 800.2ASBURY Wilmore, Kentucky 40390 asburyseminary.edu ABSTRACT RECONSTRUCTING JUSTICE IN THE LAND: HOW URBAN EVANGELICAL CONGREGATIONS IN COTONOU AND PORTO-NOVO CAN RESPOND TO THE ESCALATING PHENOMENON OF ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIORS by Mathieu Segbegnon Gnonhossou The current context of escalating antisocial behaviors in Benin, in general, and in its major cities, in particular, demands that urban evangelical churches be freed from whatever is holding them from offering an appropriate response to the situation. Biblical exploration of eighth century BC Israel and Judah coupled with earliest Christian movement's responses to social ills point to the reality that the fight against injustices in urban settings is an ancient scriptural tradition. When read from the perspective of current African theology of reconstruction, the narratives of Hosea's and Amos's prophecies compel Christians to engage the very roots of the plight that weak and powerless people now face in Cotonou and Porto-Novo. To this end, Christian congregations must be prepared to engage the failing voices that have tried and are still trying to respond to the social ill of antisocial behaviors in a critical manner. This study provides an example of such an engagement. It discusses available materials pertaining to responding to antisocial behaviors in social sciences. Based on a critical theological assessment of counseling psychology and criminal justice approaches to the issue, this study offers a comprehensive alternative to existing methods. Therapeutic discipleship, holistic ministry, narrative methodology in counseling and justice works, and a deeper look at prison ministries, which address prisons' dysfunctions and injustices, constitute the essence of the approach offered in this study. Taking in account the prevenient aspect of God's grace, the alternative provided here goes along with the form of traditional Beninese restorative approach to justice making, which has been eroded in favor of the Western punitive justice system. The content of such approach is transformed based on God's method of providing personal and interpersonal healing to humanity through Jesus Christ. The social engagement suggested in this study will help urban evangelical congregations in Benin offer an alternative response to the problem of antisocial behaviors and thus participate in God's continuing actions of social healing and restoration. DISSERTATION APPROVAL This is to certify that the dissertation entitled RECONSTRUCTING JUSTICE IN THE LAND: HOW URBAN EVANGELICAL CONGREGATIONS IN COTONOU AND PORTO-NOVO CAN RESPOND TO THE ESCALATING PHENOMENON OF ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIORS presented by Mathieu Segbegnon Gnonhossou has been accepted toward fulfillment of the requirements for the DOCTOR OF MINISTRY degree at Asbury Theological Seminary April 28, 2008 Mentor Date Apnl 28, 2008 Internal Reader Date April 28, 2008 Represenrative, Doofor of Ministry\ Program Date April 28, 2008 Dean, Doctor of Ministry Program Date RECONSTRUCTING JUSTICE IN THE LAND: HOW URBAN EVANGELICAL CONGREGATIONS IN COTONOU AND PORTO-NOVO CAN RESPOND TO THE ESCALATING PHENOMENON OF ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIORS A Dissertation Presented to the Faculty of Asbury Theological Seminary In Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Ministry by Mathieu Segbegnon Gnonhossou May 2008 �2008 Mathieu Segbegnon Mathieu ALL RIGHTS RESERVED TABLE OF CONTENTS Page LIST OF TABLES viii LIST OF FIGURES ix ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS x CHAPTER 1 PROBLEM 1 Context of the Study 18 Cotonou 19 Porto-Novo 26 Prisoners' Lives in Cotonou 28 Prisoners' Lives in Porto-Novo 30 Christian Presence in Benin 32 Purpose 37 Research Questions 37 Definition of Terms 38 Urban Evangelical Churches 38 Antisocial Behaviors 38 Justice 38 Methodology 38 Participants 40 Delimitation and Generalizability 40 Theological Grounding 42 Overview of the Study 52 iii CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE 53 Antisocial Behaviors in Benin in Historical Perspective 53 Scriptural Basis 56 Amos and Hosea as Urban Reconstructionists 57 Jesus and His Movement as an Urban Reconstructionist 68 Contemporary African Theology of Reconstruction 72 Antisocial Behaviors and Their Treatments 80 Causes and Treatment Methods of ASPD/Antisocial Behaviors 81 Nontherapeutic Treatment of Antisocial Behaviors 87 Therapeutic Treatment of Antisocial Behaviors 96 Therapy and Ministry in the Criminal Justice Arena 101 Toward a Better Approach for Urban Churches in Benin 1 06 Conclusion 140 CHAPTER 3 METHODOLOGY 144 Problem and Purpose 144 Research and Operational Questions 145 Individual Participants 146 Congregational Participants 148 Instrumentation 150 Validity 154 Data Collection 154 Controls 163 Data Analysis 164 iv Ethical Concerns 165 CHAPTER 4 FINDINGS 166 Introduction 1 66 The Rationale of Reconstructive Justice 167 Profile of Participants 168 Age, Educational Background, and Gender 168 Congregational Membership and Experience with Antisocial Behaviors 169 Denominational and Geographical Representations 170 Current Evangelical Responses to Anfisocial Behaviors 172 Ministerial Outlook of Urban Congregations 173 Research Question # 1 : Evangelicals' Awareness of Antisocial Behaviors 173 Causes of Antisocial Behaviors 177 Research Question # 2: How Evangelicals Are Involved in Responding to Antisocial Behaviors 179 How Evangelicals Are Affected by Antisocial Behaviors 179 How Evangelicals Are Involved in Responding to Antisocial Behaviors 181 Prospect for Evangelical Contribution 186 Research Quesfion # 3: Evangelicals' Evaluation of Benin's Criminal Justice System 186 Research Question # 4: Ways to Become More Active in Responding to Antisocial Behaviors 192 Specific Ministries Envisioned 195 Summary of Interviews 198 Discovery # 1 198 V Discovery #2 198 Discovery # 3 199 CHAPTER 5 DISCUSSION 200 Introduction 200 Major Findings 201 Discovery #1 201 Discovery #2 203 Discovery #3 205 Theological Reflection 206 Contemporary Stories of Traditional Peacemaking 206 Indigenous Ideas for Mediation or Peacemaking, Not Theories and Experts 210 Emphasis on Return of Peace and Reconciliation, Not Retaliation 212 A Social or Relational View of Wrongdoing, Not an Individualistic View 215 Rituals Involving the Divine, Not Secularism 216 Consequent Evangelical Social Engagement 220 Limitation of the Study 224 Gender and Experience Criteria 224 Denominational Representation 225 Instrumentation 225 Suggestions for Further Studies 226 Contribution to Research 227 Practical Application 228 Concluding Statements 231 vi APPENDIXES A. Location of Benin 233 B. Map of Cotonou 234 C. Sample Views of Slums in Cotonou 235 D. Map of Porto-Novo 236 E. A View of the Distance Between Cotonou and Porto-Novo 237 F. First Letter of Contact with Church Leaders/Pastors 238 G. Demographic Survey Questionnaire 240 H. Focus Group Discussion Sheet Sent to Participants 242 I. Ground Rules Sheet Sent to Participants 244 J. Focus Group Discussion 246 K. Letter of Recommendation from MMEC 248 L. Suggested Methods for Seeking Justice 249 WORKS CITED 251 vii LIST OF TABLES Page Table l.L Christian Pluralism in Benin 34 Table 4.1. Evangelicals' Awareness of Antisocial Behaviors 175 Table 4.2. Causes of Antisocial Behaviors 178 Table 4.3. How Evangelicals Are Affected by Antisocial Behaviors 180 Table 4.4 Responses to Antisocial Behaviors 183 Table 4.5. Evangelicals' Evaluation of Beninese Justice System 187 Table 4.6. Specific Ministries Envisioned 195 viii LIST OF FIGURES Figure 2.L A Reconstruction Model of Responding to Antisocial Behaviors 143 IX ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I extend my sincere and deepest appreciations to: Mr and Mrs Winston and Joy Handwerkers and Mrs. Joy Champion, You have helped me at a critical juncture as a demonstration of your trust in my calling. You extended to me an unusual hospitality far more than I expected in those days when we were dreaming about following God's voice to study at Asbury Seminary. Although we had not known you for a long time, you believed in God's move in our lives and gladly supported the vision he laid on our hearts. Your encouragement, understanding, and selfless love will be memorable. I deeply appreciate your friendship. Ben and Liz Cooksey, Matt and Aimee