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Executing Grace: How the Death Penalty Killed Jesus and Why It's Killing Us by Shane Claiborne
bitsandbookends's review against another edition
4.0
I was already anti death penalty but this really gave me a bigger perspective and validated my decision to stay that way.
justicepirate's review against another edition
4.0
I really love Shane Claiborne's books and him as a person completely. I admire him and agree with him pretty much always and forever (he inspired change in my heart and mindset several years ago). Therefore, I love this book. My only issue with this book is that he used direct quotes from his other books in this, because he brought up things in those books that are more specific to this book. It was a little weird, but also nice because I said in my head, "Hey, I remember that!"
In case you are curious, this book explores stories of those who have been on death row, those who have worked as those who have put criminals to death through the system, those who have had loved ones killed and harmed by those who were put on the death penalty, what the Bible says about putting people to death who have harmed others, what the opinions of believers and non-believers feel on the issue, and ultimately the grace of God to forgive your enemy and love those who hate you, etc. Every person is made in the image of God. Should we be wanting others to die, even if they have hurt us and those we love? This book is quite thorough!
In case you are curious, this book explores stories of those who have been on death row, those who have worked as those who have put criminals to death through the system, those who have had loved ones killed and harmed by those who were put on the death penalty, what the Bible says about putting people to death who have harmed others, what the opinions of believers and non-believers feel on the issue, and ultimately the grace of God to forgive your enemy and love those who hate you, etc. Every person is made in the image of God. Should we be wanting others to die, even if they have hurt us and those we love? This book is quite thorough!
thebrianikeda's review against another edition
5.0
Powerful and thought provoking, not only about the issue of the death penalty, but about what lies at the heart of the Christian faith. Christians who are on the fence or may have never given the topic much thought will find much to ponder on.
gjones19's review against another edition
5.0
A fantastic case against the death penalty that highlights its many flaws, abuses, and injustices. This is a must read!
pattydsf's review against another edition
4.0
“Death closes the door to any possibility for redemption. Grace opens up that door.”
This book has been on my bookshelves for years. It leapt into my hand when I was visiting an independent bookstore and then languished in my house. I know I treat my owned books unfairly. Since they are always with me, they often go to the bottom of my to-be-read pile. Library books get read first because I must return them.
However, when I started reading for my program on reading about people who are different than me, I realized that although Claiborne is white like I am, he has written about a group of people very different from me. He has written about people who have been sentenced to death.
I have been against the death penalty since reading some essays in high school. However, I haven’t really thought through my reasons for opposing the death penalty in years. Claiborne helped me clarify my objections and put them into the context of my faith. I am grateful for his story of how he became opposed to the death penalty, his Biblical exegesis, and showing me some children of G!d who have to live under this penalty for the rest of their lives.
I am clearer now about why I object to using the death penalty as punishment. If you have any doubts about how justice is served in this country, this book should be on your reading list.
This book has been on my bookshelves for years. It leapt into my hand when I was visiting an independent bookstore and then languished in my house. I know I treat my owned books unfairly. Since they are always with me, they often go to the bottom of my to-be-read pile. Library books get read first because I must return them.
However, when I started reading for my program on reading about people who are different than me, I realized that although Claiborne is white like I am, he has written about a group of people very different from me. He has written about people who have been sentenced to death.
I have been against the death penalty since reading some essays in high school. However, I haven’t really thought through my reasons for opposing the death penalty in years. Claiborne helped me clarify my objections and put them into the context of my faith. I am grateful for his story of how he became opposed to the death penalty, his Biblical exegesis, and showing me some children of G!d who have to live under this penalty for the rest of their lives.
I am clearer now about why I object to using the death penalty as punishment. If you have any doubts about how justice is served in this country, this book should be on your reading list.
amberinhonduras's review against another edition
5.0
Such an important conversation handled with Grace and humility. Highly recommend.
runninrev's review against another edition
5.0
Great and informative
Yes! Yes! Yes. So much wisdom in this book I thank Claiborne for bringing those stories and shining the true light on the atrocities of the death penalty.
Yes! Yes! Yes. So much wisdom in this book I thank Claiborne for bringing those stories and shining the true light on the atrocities of the death penalty.
aiyam's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
I am not christian but I found this a very thought provoking book on the death penalty and what it means to believe in grace. I think everyone has something to learn from this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Confinement, Racism, Fire/Fire injury, and Grief
toribeck's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
sad
medium-paced
5.0
Heavy, but hopeful.
It has become clear to me that using death to punish anything — including murder — isn't the call of a Jesus-follower. If we are to bring heaven to earth, HOW do we justify using the very thing that was only made a reality when hell entered the world? How do we bring heaven to earth by using an instrument of hell?
This book is so well researched and touches on many important facets of this topic - the toll execution takes on executioners, racism, the role of trauma, the fruits of restorative justice, the voices of victims families, the humanity of the convicted, and examples of how radical love can change the world — just as it was meant to do.
It has become clear to me that using death to punish anything — including murder — isn't the call of a Jesus-follower. If we are to bring heaven to earth, HOW do we justify using the very thing that was only made a reality when hell entered the world? How do we bring heaven to earth by using an instrument of hell?
This book is so well researched and touches on many important facets of this topic - the toll execution takes on executioners, racism, the role of trauma, the fruits of restorative justice, the voices of victims families, the humanity of the convicted, and examples of how radical love can change the world — just as it was meant to do.
bookanonjeff's review against another edition
1.0
Great Premise, Fatally Flawed Execution. This is the hardest review I've had to write this year, because I completely concur with the premise of this book, and on an emotional level the case presented is appealing. But I have no doubt that this book will only appeal to those who are either already in favor of abolishing the death penalty or are at minimum leaning over the fence. Anyone who is on the fence leaning the other direction will be a tough sell with the arguments presented here, and these arguments stand no chance against someone ardently in favor of capital punishment - an environment both Claiborne and I grew up in and know very well. (Note: I have no connection to the author at all, simply grew up around the same time around the same general region of the globe.)
The Fatal Flaws: First, as I said, this is a book grounded on emotional appeal and indeed the author even outright says in later chapters that he himself was convinced not by the facts, but by the emotional appeals of talking to the people involved on every side of this issue. Secondly, on page 71 Claiborne specifically decries "proof texting", or citing a Bible verse out of context to support one's arguments. Yet he does this very thing repeatedly, even as soon as just a couple of pages away from decrying the practice! He even goes so far as to use a version of the Bible other than the one he uses predominantly throughout the book when he wants to use a particular verse which in some translations allows inferences which Claiborne is clearly uncomfortable with. (It is never clear which is Claiborne's predominant translation in this book.) Thirdly, Claiborne routinely cites "societal" violence, particularly in the chapter dealing with the Early Church, even though the very quotes he cites are more often predominantly concerned with opposing the entire Government, not just its capital punishment systems. It becomes quite clear that Claiborne finds State violence outside of the explicit capital punishment system to be perfectly acceptable, particularly since he never once mentions "street executions", where cops administer capital punishment without so much as a trial or in many cases even a warrant.
There are exactly two redeeming factors about this book that warrant a 1 star rating (rather than noting that I wish I could give it zero stars): First, that the book is conversationally written in a manner that is very easy to read. You're not sitting through dry academic prose here, and that at least helps make the read enjoyable. Second, at the end of the book he lists quite a few suggested readings and organizations that are active in this cause, and the organizations in particular are good to at least be aware of.
So while the initial premise of the book is amazing, the book is simply too flawed to recommend to anyone who doesn't already agree with the premise, unfortunately.
The Fatal Flaws: First, as I said, this is a book grounded on emotional appeal and indeed the author even outright says in later chapters that he himself was convinced not by the facts, but by the emotional appeals of talking to the people involved on every side of this issue. Secondly, on page 71 Claiborne specifically decries "proof texting", or citing a Bible verse out of context to support one's arguments. Yet he does this very thing repeatedly, even as soon as just a couple of pages away from decrying the practice! He even goes so far as to use a version of the Bible other than the one he uses predominantly throughout the book when he wants to use a particular verse which in some translations allows inferences which Claiborne is clearly uncomfortable with. (It is never clear which is Claiborne's predominant translation in this book.) Thirdly, Claiborne routinely cites "societal" violence, particularly in the chapter dealing with the Early Church, even though the very quotes he cites are more often predominantly concerned with opposing the entire Government, not just its capital punishment systems. It becomes quite clear that Claiborne finds State violence outside of the explicit capital punishment system to be perfectly acceptable, particularly since he never once mentions "street executions", where cops administer capital punishment without so much as a trial or in many cases even a warrant.
There are exactly two redeeming factors about this book that warrant a 1 star rating (rather than noting that I wish I could give it zero stars): First, that the book is conversationally written in a manner that is very easy to read. You're not sitting through dry academic prose here, and that at least helps make the read enjoyable. Second, at the end of the book he lists quite a few suggested readings and organizations that are active in this cause, and the organizations in particular are good to at least be aware of.
So while the initial premise of the book is amazing, the book is simply too flawed to recommend to anyone who doesn't already agree with the premise, unfortunately.