Abstract
On 15 September 2015, Kelly Gissendaner was executed by the U.S. State of Georgia for orchestrating the death of her husband almost two decades earlier. Without downplaying the damage caused by her horrific crime, You Shall Not Condemn presents Kelly’s extraordinary witness, ministry, and theology during her years on death row.
This is a deeply personal book. The author and editor, Jennifer McBride, draws from her experiences as Kelly’s friend and theology teacher (for a Certificate in Theological Studies sponsored by the Candler School of Theology). McBride weaves together stories and anecdotes from her time with Kelly, rich theological reflection, and commentary on the Georgia prison system. Despite its often difficult subject matter, You Shall not Condemn is ultimately a book about love and hope. McBride wrote and edited the book at Kelly’s behest: ‘Although she probably didn’t realise it at the time, she was giving me the gift of healing through the process of writing’ (p. xviii).
Following a brief introduction, You Shall Not Condemn is divided into three sections. The first section, ‘Lived Theology on Death Row,’ presents the narrative of Kelly’s conversion to faith and transformation. McBride draws on the observations and testimonies of those who had known Kelly best during her incarceration, as well as on some of Kelly’s own writings. As Kelly at one point observes, ‘I’ve learned that the Bible is not a book of saints, but of sinners and prisoners. God’s word is full of real women and men; it tells of their failures, struggles, and sorrows . . .. As I began to read the Bible, I discovered that it was full of people like me; who had made big mistakes, caused a lot of pain, had been forgiven and healed’ (p. 15). In this section, McBride also tells some of the story of the advocacy campaign and attempts to secure clemency. This provides the background for Kelly’s correspondence and friendship with Jürgen Moltmann.
The second section, ‘Letters and Papers from Prison,’ consists of correspondence between Kelly and Jürgen. The first letter was written by Kelly in July 2010. In the letter, she asks questions about the nature of hope and the work of the Holy Spirit. This initial letter had partly been prompted by Kelly’s studies and reading The Crucified God. The correspondence as a whole is filled with wisdom and insights, reflections on Scripture, stories and humour, poems and essays, and pastoral advice. What shines through in the letters is Kelly’s deep care and compassion for others. The final letter of the collection was written by Moltmann to Kelly’s children a few weeks after her execution: ‘I shall treasure her letters and shall never forget such an amazing person as Kelly was. May the God of all consolation bless you with peace and strengthen you in your love for life and the courage to be’ (p. 140).
The final section of You Shall Not Condemn, ‘The Dawning of a New Day,’ is an essay by McBride on finding hope after Kelly’s execution. Among other things, McBride allows Kelly’s execution to shed light on Christ’s crucifixion. This leads her to contest the ways in which Christians have often celebrated the violence of the cross, or viewed Christ’s death as a necessary sacrifice for human sin. Drawing on Moltmann’s theology, she outlines a theology of hope that gives more emphasis to Christ’s incarnation and resurrection. For McBride, it is a theology of life and hope that fosters action and sustains resistance in the face of ‘the death penalty and the entire prison system’ (p. 170). As McBride concludes her book, ‘Nothing is inevitable. Anything is possible, here and now, at the dawn of a new day’ (p. 176).
Thou Shall Not Condemn is an extraordinary book that provides a rich example of lived theology. While not always easy to read, the essays and letters are often beautiful and profound. The book captures and conveys Kelly’s warmth and humour, as well as her deep faith and friendships. I highly recommend it!