Why did God have to murder his only son to pay our debts? What kind of vengeful, violent God can only be satisfied by vicarious blood atonement? In Executing God, theologian Sharon Baker presents a biblically based and theologically sound critique of popular theories of the atonement. Concerned about the number of acts of violence performed in the name of God, Baker challenges cultural assumptions about the death of Jesus and its meaning to Christians. She ultimately offers a constructive alternate view of atonement based on God's forgiveness that opens up salvation to a wider group of people.

Why did God have to murder his only son to pay our debts? What kind of vengeful, violent God can only be satisfied by vicarious blood atonement? In Executing God, theologian Sharon Baker presents a biblically based and theologically sound critique of popular theories of the atonement. Concerned about the number of acts of violence performed in the name of God, Baker challenges cultural assumptions about the death of Jesus and its meaning to Christians. She ultimately offers a constructive alternate view of atonement based on God's forgiveness that opens up salvation to a wider group of people.

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

The new edition of Mark Lewis Taylor’s award-winning The Executed God is both a searing indictment of the structures of “Lockdown America” and a visionary statement of hope. It is also a call for action to Jesus followers to resist US imperial projects and power. Outlining a “theatrics of state terror,” Taylor identifies and analyzes its instruments—mass incarceration, militarized police tactics, surveillance, torture, immigrant repression, and capital punishment—through which a racist and corporatized Lockdown America enforces in the US a global neoliberal economic and political imperialism. Against this, The Executed God proposes a “counter-theatrics to state terror,” a declamation of the way of the cross for Jesus followers that unmasks the powers of US state domination and enacts an adversarial politics of resistance, artful dramatic actions, and the building of peoples’ movements. These are all intrinsic to a Christian politics of remembrance of the Jesus executed by empire. Heralded in its first edition, this new edition is thoroughly revised, updated, and expanded, offering a demanding rethinking and recreating of what being a Christian is and of how Christianity should dream, hope, mobilize, and act to bring about what Taylor terms “a liberating material spirituality” to unseat the state that kills.

Running God’s Way reveals the proven campaign techniques in God’s Word and provides the winning strategies needed to succeed on Election Day. In this complete guide to campaigning, candidates, supporters, and Christians wanting to impact their world will learn how to: • Write a winning campaign plan; • Put together an enthusiastic volunteer team; • Deliver a memorable message; • Utilize technology to win elections; • Raise needed funds to reach your goals; • Implement a successful door-to-door program; • Wage war from the trenches; and • Get out the vote on Election Day. “As one who has held public office, I see Congresswoman Hartzler’s book as an essential. There are very few resources available that can help Christians run a campaign that both honor God and succeed. Vicky has not only written the book, she has carried it out in practice. If you are considering running for office or you want to help those who are, Running God’s Way is a must read.” — Tony Perkins, President, Family Research Council “One of the biggest problems with politics today is getting good people to run for office. And one of the biggest reasons they don’t run is they don’t know how—it seems a daunting task. Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler’s book is the answer. So whether you are a candidate, supporter, or patriot, this book is for you.” — David Barton, Founder and President, WallBuilders “Congresswoman Hartzler’s unique book describes exactly what you need to know to run a well-planned campaign. You owe it to yourself, and the traditional Judeo-Christian values in which we believe, to read her book.” — Alex Mooney, U.S. Representative, West Virginia 2nd District

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.

Seventy percent of Americans believe in hell, as do 92 percent of those who attend church every week. In her candid and inviting style, Baker explores and ultimately refutes many traditional views of hell.