The Magnificast

Have you ever asked yourself, "is there communism in the bible?" If so, do we have a podcast for you! In this episode, Matt and Dean talk about Communism in the Bible by José Porfirio Miranda. Intro Music by Amaryah Armstrong Outro Music by theillogicalspoon

We almost skipped from episode 68 to 70, but we thought our listeners deserved an extremely mature episode 69. Thankfully we found someone who can actually help us do that--Jessica Johnson, an anthropologist at the University of Washington who did an ethnographic study of Mark Driscoll's Mars Hill church in Seattle. Her findings and reflections are published in "Biblical Porn: Affect, Labor, and Mark Driscoll's Evangelical Empire" (Duke, 2018). It's probably the only book that ever cites Guattari and Driscoll's book "Real Marriage," so you know it's a good one. You can find Jessica's book here: https://www.dukeupress.edu/biblical-porn Music by Amaryah Armstrong and theillalogicalspoon

Pyongyang, the capital of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, or North Korea, was once called the "Jerusalem of the East" because there were so many Christians there. After a brutal war with the US left the country in rubble, however, things changed--but how? We talked to Derek Ford, member of the PSL and organizer of a recent delegation to the DPRK, to find out what the country is like. We also read two articles by Korean scholar Dae Young Ryu, one from 2006 called “Fresh Wineskins for New Wine: A New Perspective on North Korean Christianity” published in the Journal of Church and State and another one from 2007 called “Religion, Politics, and Church Construction in North Korea” published in Theology Today, which we recommend for lots more great reading. Also we mentioned you should also listen to the episode Tyler Hill did with Derek on the podcast Gods and Ghosts, "It's Fun to Stay at the DPRK!" (https://soundcloud.com/critmedia/its-fun-to-stay-at-the-dprk?in=critmedia/sets/gods-ghosts) (also yes we did almost name this episode "It's Fun to Pray at the DPRK" but we don't want to be too derivative) Music by Amaryah Armstrong and theillalogicalspoon

God is not dead. God is bread. The bread is rising! Bread means revolution. —New York Young Lords, “Celebration for a People’s Church” This week, Matt and Dean talk with Darrel Wanzer-Serrano about his book "The New York Young Lords and the Struggle for Liberation." In this episode, we hear about The Young Lords, their 13 point platform, and the church offensive. You can find Wanzer-Serrano's book here: https://www.amazon.com/York-Young-Lords-Struggle-Liberation/dp/1439912033/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8 Intro music by Amaryah Armstrong Outro Music by theillogicalspoon

Continuing our historical tour through the medieval European radical Christians, this week we focus in on what Thomas Müntzer is all about by reading "Sermon to the Princes" and his confessions. In this episode, Matt and Dean connect Müntzer's radical message with the contemporary political situation and get to the bottom of just how many horses Counts and other noblemen should use. Intro Music by Amaryah Armstong Outro Music by theillogicalspoon

We know how much you love our episodes on the intertwined history of Christianity and leftist movements, so we dug up some hot takes on Gerrard Winstanley and The Diggers! Check out this episode for that good historical leftist Christianity and a new segment called "Answers from a Pastor" Music by Amaryah Armstrong Outro by Chumbawamba

In the past few months, we've been talking up the May Day Retreat the Friendly Fire Collective was putting on. Well, it happened! In this episode, we talk with Hye Sung Gehring from the Friendly Fire Collective about the retreat and just what happened! Donate to the Friendly Fire Collective here: https://www.gofundme.com/friendly-fire-retreat Intro/transition music by Amaryah Armstrong Outro by theillalogicalspoon

The Vatican released a document about economics and dang are the commenters upset! This week we talk about what the document does and doesn't do for Christians on the left, how the Vatican needs a better PR game, and what Christians can say about systemic capitalist problems. You can read along with us for the Magnificast home game here: http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2018/05/17/180517a.html Intro/transition music by Amaryah Armstrong Outro by theillalogicalspoon

This week we remember the life of James Cone, who sparked black liberation theology in the United States. He died on April 28th this year. To think about his work, influence, and future, we talk with Amaryah Armstrong about how Cone has played a role in her own work and in public theology. We also talk about Cone's essay "The Black Church and Marxism: What Do They Have To Say To Each Other?" Also, we give you an update from the Benedict Basement. Spoiler: Marxism is scary, folks! Intro/transition music by Amaryah Armstrong Outro by theillalogicalspoon

Every Christian think piece since 2012 has basically been asking the same question: Why are young people leaving the church? In this episode, Matt and Dean (along with their good friend Rosa Luxemburg) offer a definitive answer to that question: churches just aren't communist enough! Intro Music by Amaryah Armstrong Outro Music by theillogicalspoon.