Executed God

Since 1980 the number of prisoners in the U.S. has tripled to over 2 million people, 70 percent of them people of color. Indeed, 3,600 people are on America’s death rows. This growth industry currently employs 523,000 people.

Among abuses that Mark Taylor notes in this "theater of terror" are capital punishment, inordinate sentencing, violations of fairness in both process and results, racism in the justice system and prisons, prison rape and other terrorizing techniques, and paramilitary policing practices.

With 25 years of involvement with prison reform, Taylor passionately describes and explains the excesses and injustices in our corrections system and capital punishment to foster compassionate and effective Christian action. "Remembering the executed Jesus is crucial to mobilizing effective response to ‘lockdown America’ today," says Taylor.

His book convincingly relates the life-engendering power of God—demonstrated in Jesus’ cross and resurrection—to the potential transformation of the systems of death and imprisonment.

"A powerful critique of America as Empire and the challenge it poses for all who believe in the way of Jesus."
---James H. Cone, Union Theological Seminary, New York

"Mark Taylor's absorbing examination of our shameful execution obsession is without a doubt the finest and most discerning theological analysis of the death penalty now available. There is no doubt that the question is once again back in the public eye, and his graphic and penetrating book will surely help focus the discussion we all need."
---Harvey Cox, Harvard Divinity School