For our gospel did not come to you in word alone, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with much conviction. The suffering caused by violent crime is often beyond words. When a life is taken, families are left to grieve an irreplaceable loss, and their lives may be forever changed by sorrow, anger, and unanswered questions. We must never minimize their pain. Victims and their families deserve our compassion, our prayers, and our commitment to justice and the protection of society. At the same time, as Christians, we must ask whether our response to violence reflects the Gospel we profess. The upcoming execution by firing squad, and the prospect of its being broadcast publicly, raises serious questions about justice, mercy, and human dignity. What does it say about us when the...