Gods Grace in Addiction
Part One
1. The main purpose of this article is
"Newness of Life and Grace-Enabled Recovery from Addiction: Walking the Road to Recovery With Romans 7" by Andrew Kim looks at the relationship between God's grace and human sinfulness. The context of analysis is addiction. The author aims to better know how God's grace operates in the life of an addict and proposes that God's grace has the power to heal addiction. The article examines this through four stages of healing.
"My purpose in this essay is not to attempt to resolve any of these questions but rather to consider them anew from the standpoint of addiction. My question is: how does Gods grace unfold in the life of the addict? Responding to this question, I maintain that Gods grace is sufficient to heal a person from addiction and examine four stages in which this healing may occur."[footnoteRef:1] (Page 2) [1: Andrew Kim, "Newness of Life and Grace-Enabled Recovery from Addiction."Journal of Moral Theology10, no. Special Issue 1 (2021), 125.]
2. The key question the author is addressing is
The central question is the compatibility of grace and sin in one's life. The author examines how God's grace unfolds in the life of an addict and whether it is sufficient to heal them from addiction.
"More specifically, questions arise regarding the compatibility of grace and sin in ones life. Can a person who is actively engaging in sin simultaneously be in a state of grace?"[footnoteRef:2] [2: Andrew Kim, "Newness of Life and Grace-Enabled Recovery from Addiction."Journal of Moral Theology10, no. Special Issue 1 (2021), 124.]
3. The most critical information in this article is
The problematic statement by St. Paul about doing evil he does not want to do and its implications for Christians.
"St. Paul says that he does not do the good he wants to do but does the evil he does not want to do (Romans 7:19)."[footnoteRef:3] [3: Andrew Kim, "Newness of Life and Grace-Enabled Recovery from Addiction."Journal of Moral Theology10, no. Special Issue 1 (2021), 124.]
The relationship between God's grace and human sinfulness.
The exploration of addiction as either a sin or a disease...
The main
assumptions underlying the authors thinking are
The assumption that St. Paul's statement in Romans 7:19 raises questions about the relationship between God's grace and human sinfulness.
The belief that addiction can be viewed both as a sin and as a disease, and that understanding this dual perspective is crucial for moral and theological analysis.
The idea that human agency can influence genetic...
…can be seen as a sin, but it is something that needs to be approached with understanding, compassion, and a focus on healing rather than mere condemnation.
4. Pragmatic Task: The article emphasizes the need for a compassionate and understanding approach to addiction and that the primary focus should be on restoring health and well-being.
Your Own Thoughts on the Relevance of this Article for Reflective Practitioners: I think that the article undoubtedly will help improve practice. It shows how important it is to see addiction not as a moral failing but as an interplay of various factors (biological, spiritual, behavioral). Thus, practitioners can give more holistic care. It is also a good source for its emphasis on God's grace as a healing force, which can give hope and encouragement to those in recovery. Overall, the article acts as a bridge between theology and real-world challenges.
After reading the article, I was struck by the role of compassion and understanding that must go into practice with this kind of problem. The emphasis on viewing addicts through the lens of grace rather than judgment is a powerful reminder of the transformative power of empathy and understanding. That especially rings true in light of Romans 7.
Bibliography
Kim, Andrew. "Newness of Life and Grace-Enabled Recovery from Addiction."Journal of
Moral Theology10, no. Special Issue 1 (2021): 124-142.
