The Executioner’s Redemption: My Story of Violence, Death, and Saving Grace

by Timothy R. Carter

This is the gritty account of one mans journey from executioner to pastor. While working in the Texas penitentiary system, Timothy Carter executed more death-row inmates than anyone else in United States history. This powerful story follows Carters transformation from cold-hearted prison guard to new believer wrestling with church and state authority. A story that readers will not soon forget, it injects a much-needed voice into the discussion of the sword of the state versus the Sword of the Spirit, and how that manifests in the modern Christians understanding of capital punishment.

Genres: Theology

211 pages, Paperback

Published February 1, 2016

Reviews

[Carey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really great story of a man who worked on death row in Texas and his journey to loving those who committed the most heinous of crimes. After his retirement from working for the state of Texas, he eventually went to seminary and now works as a pastor. How cool is that?!

[Becky Filipek · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was convicting for me. I realized while reading that I hoped to read carnal stories about people's crimes that brought them to death row. What I got was a kick in the pants about how little I seek God's kingdom in His Word and through prayer on a daily basis. Thank you to Rev. Carter for giving me Law and Gospel in this book.

I would recommend this book to any police officer, correctional officer, etc. that deals with inmates and law enforcement on a regular basis. I can think of a few people that work in that industry that I will be recommending this book to. It is a good reminder of how a Christian is called to love even the human wolves among us.

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

[Deirdre Reilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, and loved how it was laid out (pretty chronological, tracing the pastor's journey), learning and growing as the pastor learned and grew in his Christian journey. I was moved by his compassion as God taught him that his brutish ways inside the prison system (and at home, where he was quick to anger, quick to judge) were not in line with the Gospel.

I am amazed at how he asked God to work in his life, and God did. This is an important book theologically and otherwise — we can change, and God is ready to give us the tools to change. Although this story is about men and women on death row, it is a story of victory in Christ.

[Eric Estes · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastic memoir that provides a glimpse into a world that is closed to most of us, but this book offers more than a curious glimpse into the life of a death row correctional officer. Timothy Carter's story is a stark and edifying example of how a Christian seeks to love their neighbor even in the most difficult of circumstances. Rev. Carter gives numerous stories showing how one can uphold the need for justice while simultaneously upholding man's deepest need, God's forgiveness and mercy. The reader will do well to reflect on their own circumstances and see how the lessons Carter learned working in prison might be applied to their own vocations. The last quarter of the book becomes a little bogged down with the question of the morality of capital punishment, but it is a necessary discussion for this book. Timothy Carter is a voice worth listening to. He does not approach the issues just from a removed and scholarly perspective, but also speaks from experience.

[The other John · Rating 4 out of 5]

One nice thing about being middle aged is that I've figured out a lot of the questions about life. Like the lyric goes, "fewer things puzzle me than when I was young". Of course, there's still things I haven't made up my mind about. One of the things I still waffle on is the death penalty. Is it a necessary evil? Sometimes I'm ready to say no, but then the doubts creep back in. Anyway, that's what lead me to pick up a copy of The Executioner's Redemption. To me, the question of capital punishment is merely academic. I don't really know anyone convicted of murder nor have any of my loved ones been murdered. Rev. Carter, on the other hand, spent the first part of his adult life as a prison guard on death row. I figured that I might learn a thing or two from reading his story.

In The Executioner's Redemption, Rev. Carter tells of his years within the prison system and how that intertwined with his reconnection with Christ and growth in faith. I found it to be a fascinating look into another world. More important, it was a reminder that the issues of the day, and in our lives have a spiritual dimension. Rev. Carter makes no pronouncement on the death penalty, but rather demonstrates from the stories he shares that life and death is of secondary importance to one's relationship with God. And that relationship is formed through the process of living life and confrontations with death.

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lacks stories of interactions with inmates, there are a some but not any that make me say wow! look at how the Lord has worked in their lives.

[Sally Knapp · Rating 5 out of 5]

what an inspirational book. this book gives you a lot to ponder and think about life and serving Jesus with a right heart.

[Donna Snow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Throughout the book, Tim provides jaw-dropping insights into the execution process and those who people that world. From the condemned inmates and his/her family, to the families of the victims, to his fellow guards, Tim escorts us behind the walls of death row into a world that the vast majority of us will never see.

But beyond the physical and very emotional stories from death row, God was working out a bigger story in Tim's life: to turn him from a wolf into a sheep. To turn Tim's eyes from the world and onto his Savior. To transform a hard-hearted executioner into a grace-filled advocate of hope for the condemned and the families.

Although the true stories that Tim shares within these pages left my chin scraping the carpet, that's not what kept me riveted until the last page. Rather, it was seeing how God slowly but surely transformed Tim's heart to be more like His.

The spiritual disciplines that Tim describes caused me to literally grab a spiral notebook and a pen to make a list of areas in my own life where I desperately need to apply similar discipline. I have began applying those disciplines over the past few months and have seen hope-filled progress.

That is VITAL. Because, let me tell you, any book that leaves me scrambling to grab the Word of God to read, learn, and apply valuable spiritual disciplines is a book that I will wholeheartedly recommend to absolutely everyone.

[Edward Durand · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Executioner's Redemption, was well written. It gave plenty of insight into the prison system, the mind set of the guards and inmates. It covered a wide range of questions and practices to ponder. I enjoyed reading about Rev. Carter's journey through this time of his life and how it impacted his faith.

[S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bought this at church, signed by the author. I would highly recommend this book to other Christians. Discusses capital punishment in careful detail, telling the reader about all sides to the controversial issue. Easy to tell Tim Carter is a very mature Christian!

[Heidi Goehmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has an understanding of hope and grace that most of us can only begin to contemplate. I loved the depth and diversity of stories and struggles, the realness found in this book. The power of the Gospel and forgiveness is unquestionable in the text, while the author is honest about the brokenness of the human condition and the need for a Jesus.