Faith roots us in the struggle for justice, and only those movements like Selma which are rooted deeply can challenge the principalities and powers in high places.
While the violent action of a police officer against a homeless man who simply wanted to use the restroom is intolerable, no less violent, morally deplorable and worthy of condemnation are the actions of the city officials who put in place laws that criminalized homelessness.
Those who have made terrible choices just like Billy Moore and Kelly Gissendaner often become some of the most credible voices in the world of the power of God to redeem sinners.
Inner city communities across the country are gentrifying. It not primarily the fault of the church, but that does not mean we are not at fault and have not been complicit in the displacement of people who once called these communities homes.
It’s hard to imagine Jesus saying anything else to Kelly Gissendaner, or Jodi Arias, except those words he said to the woman in the Gospel: I love you. You are forgiven. Go and sin no more.