About Jeff Hood

The Rev. Dr. Jeff Hood is a Catholic priest (Old Catholic), theologian, and nationally recognized activist based in North Little Rock, Arkansas. A spiritual advisor to death row inmates across the country, Dr. Hood has accompanied more people to their executions than any other advisor in the U.S., including the first-ever nitrogen hypoxia execution in 2024. His work sits at the intersection of justice, radical compassion, and public theology. Dr. Hood holds advanced degrees from Auburn, Emory, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, University of Alabama, Creighton, and Brite Divinity School, among others. He also earned a PhD in metaphysical theology and founded The New Theology School, where he serves as Dean and Professor of Prophetic Theology. Author of over 100 books—including the award-winning The Courage to Be Queer—Dr. Hood’s writings and activism have been featured in The New York Times, Rolling Stone, NPR, CNN, and more. A frequent collaborator with men on death row, he sees theology as a shared, liberative act. Dr. Hood has served on the leadership teams of organizations like the Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty and the Fellowship of Reconciliation. His activism has earned multiple awards, including recognition from PFLAG and the Next Generation Action Network. On July 7, 2016, Dr. Hood led the Dallas protest against police brutality that ended in tragedy. His actions that night saved lives, and his story is now archived in the Dallas Public Library. A father of five, husband to Emily, and friend to the incarcerated, Dr. Hood rejects institutionalism in favor of a theology rooted in people, presence, and prophetic witness.

All Posts by Jeff

GOD Will Wipe Away the Tears from Every...

"GOD will wipe away the tears from every face." Isaiah 25:8 GOD... read more

Why Can't Anyone Say Evil? On the Execution...

Christa Pike and Colleen Slemmer In January of 1995, Colleen Slemmer walked... read more

God's Sheep: The Ones Who Sleep Outside the...

John 10:27 (NRSV): "My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and... read more

Keeping the Word : Living the Word :...

Keeping the Word Luke 8:15 "Blessed are they who have kept the... read more

The Debts We Refuse to Forgive: On Economic...

Debts Peter came to Jesus with a question. "When somebody keeps wronging... read more

Between: On the Person and Character of God

Between I am not above you. I am not inside you. I... read more

The Crayons We Hold in Common: On Jamaal...

"I carried crayons everywhere." The Night the Shots Rang Out On July... read more

The System That Failed Lindsay Clancy & Killed...

Lindsay Clancy & The Wrong Question As of this evening, twelve jurors... read more

Get Behind Me, Satan: A Death Row Spiritual...

The Passages: Get Behind Me, Satan From that point on, Jesus started... read more

Rehumanizing Christa Pike: On the Consequences of Evil

I’ve spent my life standing against executions. I’ve known countless people who... read more

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