Christian Paradox

What exactly is addiction? Lawmakers, psychiatrists, and addicts themselves have contested the definition of addiction for centuries, and they consistently arrive at a fork in the road: Is addiction a willful crime or a congenital disease? Some argue that

addictive behaviors are an individual's free choice, and thus they have justified punishing addicts for their bad decisions (think the Reagans' "Just Say No"

campaign). Others insist that addiction is not a willful crime to be punished, but a medical condition to be treated (think Alcoholics Anonymous' 12-step program).Despite these many inquiries and debates, one significant aspect of the concept of addiction remains unexamined-its deep theological history.