Jesus On Death Row

What does the most infamous criminal proceeding in history--the trial of Jesus of Nazareth--have to tell us about capital punishment in the United States? Jesus Christ was a prisoner on death row. If that statement surprises you, consider this fact: of all the roles that Jesus played--preacher, teacher, healer, mentor, friend--none features as prominently in the gospels as this one, a criminal indicted and convicted of a capital offense. Now consider another fact: the arrest, trial, and execution of Jesus bear remarkable similarities to the American criminal justice system, especially in capital cases. From the use of paid informants to the conflicting testimony of witnesses to the denial of clemency, the elements in the story of Jesus' trial mirror the most common components in capital cases today. Finally, consider a question: How might we see capital punishment in this country differently if we realized that the system used to condemn the Son of God to death so closely resembles the system we use in capital cases today? Should the experience of Jesus' trial, conviction, and execution give us pause as we take similar steps to place individuals on death row today? These are the questions posed by this surprising, challenging, and enlightening book

In this reasoned exploration of justice, retribution, and redemption, the champion of the new monastic movement, popular speaker, and author of the bestselling The Irresistible Revolution offers a powerful and persuasive appeal for the abolition of the death penalty. The Bible says an eye for an eye. But is the state’s taking of a life true—or even practical—punishment for convicted prisoners? In this thought-provoking work, Shane Claiborne explores the issue of the death penalty and the contrast between punitive justice and restorative justice, questioning our notions of fairness, revenge, and absolution. Using an historical lens to frame his argument, Claiborne draws on testimonials and examples from Scripture to show how the death penalty is not the ideal of justice that many believe. Not only is a life lost, so too, is the possibility of mercy and grace. In Executing Grace, he reminds us of the divine power of forgiveness, and evokes the fundamental truth of the Gospel—that no one, even a criminal, is beyond redemption.

Jesus On Death Row gives readers an intimate glimpse of prisons and prison life including accounts of inmates - some on death row - coming to Christ and experiencing new life. The author shares experiences he has had on death row and in the death house on execution day. It shows readers the guilty and the condemned through the eyes of the Lord Jesus Christ as the last and only hope of so many career offenders, especially those condemned to death, still finding the answer through the words of the Lord. In the ominous world of death row, with its hopelessness and finality, He is the source of real peace and joy to those whom the world has considered unworthy of life. Jesus On Death Row provides a first hand look at a world of hardness and distrust, with concrete, steel, walls, fences, towers, and razor wire as its decor. In the midst of slamming doors and constant noise there is loneliness and isolation. Cut off from loved ones, offenders are left to ponder the choices they have made in a place where God is transforming lives.

Dr. Chris Brown takes you on a journey of faith as he and his father discover God's grace in the most unlikely circumstances. Come along on the journey to the darkness of death row, into the light of Christ, and through the pain of an execution. This book is a unique look at redemption through the eyes of a child who sees his wayward father saved on the way to death row and follows his own road through darkness on the way to redemption. It's an amazing true story of God's unfailing grace and the redeeming love that is available to all.

"This book goes beyond proof-text arguments to examine biblical statements about capital punishment in their historical contexts and for present meaning. Does the use of capital punishment in the USA meet Old Testament standards for fairness? How did Jesus and the early church extend God's love in restorative justice? Hanks convincingly shows that the use of the death penalty is not consistent with Jesus' call for love and forgiveness." --from back cover.

A riveting, behind-the-bars look at one of America's most feared prisons: San Quentin-- by a minister to the lost souls sitting on death row. Himself a former criminal, Smith shares the most important lessons he's learned from years of helping inmates discover God's plan for them. Their stories show us that it is still possible to find God's grace and mercy from behind bars, and that it's never too late to turn our lives around.

We kill. We kill each other. We kill God. The altar of the death chamber is open, the hour of execution upon us. Is there salvation amidst the horror of the death penalty? We must save to get saved. We must save our God. How will we encounter the execution of God? Will we save or will we kill? In this stunning fusion of biblical interpretation and memoir, radical theologian of mercy Jeff Hood takes us on a unique spiritual journey into the heart of the death penalty. The Execution of God is a powerful invitation to encounter God in the last place we expect divinity to dwell...on the gurney. The Execution of God will invite you to re-examine your belief in the ultimate punishment and consider:How the death penalty kills our relationship with GodThe idea that the divine image of God dwells in those on death rowHow we cannot be both people of love and people of murderHow our cultural obsession with violence harms our spiritual lifeHow to stop the killing and join the work of abolition and restoration

"I was in prison and you visited me." The words of Jesus in Matthew 25:36 call all imaginations to go deeper. What if God really is in prison? What if God was on death row? What would the life of Jesus look like? Jesus on Death Row is a contemporary interaction with the Gospel of Mark that seeks to answer these questions by placing the drama of the life of Jesus on death row in Texas. In the pages of this text, I hope you discover the God who exists with those we have exiled and rejected.