The Early Church Rejected State Violence

“As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked.” -Ezekiel 33:11

Solace: The Birth of Hope in a Time of Longing a daily Advent devotional by Ben Cremer.

Recommended Resources:

​-A Statement of Conscience: People of Faith Reject the Livestreaming of an Execution​ This is an online petition by Change.org for people of faith to sign and share opposing the livestreaming of an execution.

​-We the People: Cruel and Unusual Punishment​ by Throughline. This podcast is one of my favorite history podcasts, as you may know. This particular episode tracks to the development of the eighth amendment and handling of the death penalty in the United States.

​-Executing Grace: How the Death Penalty Killed Jesus and Why It's Killing Us​ by Shane Claiborne. I have long admired my friend Shane Claiborne and his advocacy in this area. If you haven't yet been able to read his book on this topic, I encourage you to do so.

​-The Executed God: The Way of the Cross in Lockdown America​ By ​Mark Lewis Taylor​ I discovered this book while preparing for this newsletter and I can't wait to read it. I thought I would share it here for you as well.

​-The Cross and the Lynching Tree​ by James H. Cone. As always, this book was the most transformative work for me in not only illuminating the theology of Black Christians in American history, but giving me a whole new respect and appreciation for the cross of Jesus.

My Email: [email protected]

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