Christians

At some time during their lives, the following people have publicly identified themselves as Christian.   Inclusion in this list does not indicate approval or disapproval of the person, of their orthodoxy or lack of it, or of their actions.  Readers are encouraged to suggest persons who should be included on this list.  This is a recurring segment in this blog.

Son Jong Nam: (b. 1958, North Korea – d.? Dec 2008, in a Pyongyang prison) Martyr, Christian missionary in North Korea, ex-North Korean military officer.  Son was arrested for the charge of “spying,” incarcerated, beaten, and tortured.  He is reported to have died in prison after his sentence of public execution was cancelled due to international pressure.

The Thief on the Cross: This repentant thief was crucified to the right of Jesus and recognized Jesus as the Messiah (Luke 23:39-43).  Jesus promised him that he would be in paradise that day.  He is not named in Luke but later traditions name him as The Good Thief, The Penitent Thief, Dismas, Dimas, Titus, Zoatham, and Rach. San Dimas, California is named for him.  The Bad Thief is traditionally called Gestas or Dumachas.

Robert Edward Lee: Military officer United States of America (1829-1861) and Confederate States of America (1861-1865)  Though he personally opposed slavery, he thought that it was ordained by God and would be ended in God’s time.  His US citizenship was posthumously restored in 1975. Anglican/Episcopalian.

Jesse Truesdell Peck: (b. 1811, New York – d. 1883), Methodist Episcopal bishop.  College president. Great uncle of writer Stephen Crane.

Camillo Borghese: (B. Italy – d. 1605, aka: Pope Paul V)  Paul V was known for his building projects such as the façade of St. Peter’s Basilica.