Introduction: Public Criminology Meets Public Theology

Criminologists have seldom considered learning from theology, yet theologians have written on themes of criminological concern, including regarding issues of criminal justice. In this introductory chapter crossover between the two subjects is highlighted as an opportunity to critique retributive punishment and present new thinking on the place of hope, mercy and restoration in secular criminal justice settings. The focus is on learning from Christian theology although it is acknowledged that there may be much to learn from other faith traditions as well. The focus for this chapter is the space between public criminology and public theology. The rest of the volume is then introduced.