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Rev. Prof. Matthew J. M. Coomber

@mjmcoomber.bsky.social

2.9K followers 910 following 1.5K posts

Professor/Episcopal priest researching & teaching anti-imperial resistance in the Bible & practicing anti-fascist resistance in the world, 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ ally | https://www.amazon.com/author/coomber | he/him | posts mine Described as “dope teacher” in student eval

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Rev. Prof. Matthew J. M. Coomber @mjmcoomber.bsky.social · Nov 8

Hi folks! Excited to make new connections via the Religious Studies Scholars starter pack (ty, @alana-m-vincent.net!)

I’m biblical scholar using sociology & trauma studies to understand what ancient texts can teach us about naming & resisting economic, religious, & ethnic oppression

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Reposted by Rev. Prof. Matthew J. M. Coomber

And-BOO 👻 Jacobs (he/him) @drewjakeprof.bsky.social · 50m

this Oglesby essay is really great, perfect launching point for an undergrad class to discuss space, spoliation, empire in ancient & modern worlds

Sarah E. Bond @sarahebond.bsky.social · 1h

The latest Pasts Imperfect is out! This week, art historian Lachelle Oglesby discusses obelisks, Roman colonialism, & the AAR summer school. Then, a video game on repatriation, the Nubian ivory trade, a new Roman wood workshop, new ancient world journals by @yaleclassicslib.bsky.social & much more.

Pasts Imperfect (10.9.25)

This week, art historian and AAR Classical Summer School attendee Lachelle Oglesby discusses obelisks, Roman colonialism, and lived experiences in ancient Rome. Then, a new video game allows you to "r...

pasts-imperfect.ghost.io

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Rev. Prof. Matthew J. M. Coomber @mjmcoomber.bsky.social · 10m

The struggle is real

Rev. Prof. Matthew J. M. Coomber @mjmcoomber.bsky.social · 3d

Visited mom‘s grave with my sister today & we saw this decoration. I don’t know the family, but I do love them 🥹😄

Grave with Halloween decorations, including a ghost saying boo!

Rev. Prof. Matthew J. M. Coomber @mjmcoomber.bsky.social · 3d

Lovely!

Rev. Prof. Matthew J. M. Coomber @mjmcoomber.bsky.social · 4d

Folks don’t take enough time to appreciate that 😄

Rev. Prof. Matthew J. M. Coomber @mjmcoomber.bsky.social · 4d

You’ve been warned

Sarah E. Bond @sarahebond.bsky.social · 4d

October 5: Apologies for the bad news, but today is one of the 3 unluckiest days of the year in the Roman calendar. Definitely let people know that the underworld opens up to the living today (mundus patet) and so you just can’t leave your house, especially to sail (also on August 24 & November 8).

The tomb was designated the “Tomb of Cerberus” after the incredible mural of Hercules fighting the three-headed dog that guarded the underworld.

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Rev. Prof. Matthew J. M. Coomber @mjmcoomber.bsky.social · 4d

Note: “demanded *cheap* bread.” Not handouts, but fair treatment

The affluent often portray the demands of the impoverished as cries for handouts,when they’re simply calls for what is due

Carve Her Name @carvehername.bsky.social · 4d

#OnThisDay, 5 Oct 1789, thousands of women instigate and lead the March on Versailles.

They - along with revolutionaries who join them - besiege the Palace to demand cheap bread.

#WomenInHistory #OTD #History #WomensHistory #FrenchHistory #RevolutionaryWomen 🗃️
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contemporary illustration of the march, with women pulling a cannon and carrying pikes.

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Rev. Prof. Matthew J. M. Coomber @mjmcoomber.bsky.social · 4d

Yeah, can’t go wrong with Déjà Vu

Rev. Prof. Matthew J. M. Coomber @mjmcoomber.bsky.social · 4d

A pope promoting
- Life before death
- Liberation prior to heaven
- Faith centered in compassion

Joshua McElwee @joshmcelwee.org · 4d

Pope Leo urged the world's 1.4 billion Catholics on Sunday to care for immigrants, pressing ahead with a message of welcome for migrants days after criticizing U.S. President Donald Trump's hard-line anti-immigration policies. For @reuters.com:

Pope Leo, after Trump critique, urges Catholics to help immigrants

www.reuters.com

Rev. Prof. Matthew J. M. Coomber @mjmcoomber.bsky.social · 4d

I‘ll choose a chicken-wielding Dr. Who fan to be on my side in any scenario, any day of the week

Rev. Prof. Matthew J. M. Coomber @mjmcoomber.bsky.social · 7d

Thanks for bringing this to attention!
Ever since reading Girl with All the Gifts, I've been 100% on learning about fungi (especially cordyceps!)

Rev. Prof. Matthew J. M. Coomber @mjmcoomber.bsky.social · 7d

Ah, the affliction of believing that because you have expertise in one area, you must also have expertise in areas well outside your lane

Rev. Prof. Matthew J. M. Coomber @mjmcoomber.bsky.social · 8d

This looks fab
Cheers, @emuehlbe.bsky.social!

Reposted by Rev. Prof. Matthew J. M. Coomber

The Assisi Project @assisiproject.com · 8d

"We cannot ignore our neighbors being hauled off by masked, unidentified agents, without warrant, due process or knowing where they are being sent or for how long." #PrayForAmerica www.ncronline.org/opinion/edit...

Editorial: McElroy makes it clear: the Gospels compel us to confront 'fear and terror'

McElroy's message to reject indifference toward indiscriminate, violent deportation arrives with a desperately needed clarity amid the unfortunate clutter of voices on the issue, even within the churc...

www.ncronline.org

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Reposted by Rev. Prof. Matthew J. M. Coomber

Shaily Patel @vox-magica.bsky.social · 8d

my book_smoke & mirrors_ is out on oxford scholarship online. i have many feelings, mostly good! this was a difficult write for many reasons.

so i hope you find something useful in it if you read it.

Smoke & Mirrors: Discourses of Magic in Early Petrine Traditions

Abstract. Smoke & Mirrors: Discourses of Magic in Early Petrine Traditions is a book about how magic disappears from early Christian texts that feature

academic.oup.com

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Rev. Prof. Matthew J. M. Coomber @mjmcoomber.bsky.social · 8d

Good grief!

Rev. Prof. Matthew J. M. Coomber @mjmcoomber.bsky.social · 8d

I’ll get started on the campaign materials!

Rev. Prof. Matthew J. M. Coomber @mjmcoomber.bsky.social · 8d

If anyone wants to run on a pro-siesta platform, you have my vote

Rev. Prof. Matthew J. M. Coomber @mjmcoomber.bsky.social · 8d

Regrettably, I’d expand this beyond these borders (and time)

Rev. Prof. Matthew J. M. Coomber @mjmcoomber.bsky.social · 8d

Jim’s point is important
If my faith’s focus is just reducing anxiety over death, is it Christ whom I love or simply myself?

Salvation after death is important, but needs to paired with the challenge of salvation in this life, transforming the world & people’s lives for the better

Jim Drumheller ☮️ 🟧 🐾 @jimdrumheller.bsky.social · 8d

When Christianity is reduced to salavation as a means of going to heaven; when your worship centers on feel good contemporay praise songs about how Jesus came for ME; then you begin to see yourself as the primary actor in the story, free to pursue your worldly goals with Jesus in your back pocket.

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Rev. Prof. Matthew J. M. Coomber @mjmcoomber.bsky.social · 8d

Pacifism’s a very difficult concept in the Gospels

But Hegseth calling it wholly naïve, ignoble, and unwise reveals a Christian faith used to justify, rather than challenge, our basest instincts

Pete Haggett, speaking to generals courtesy of New York Times

Pool photo by Andrew Harnik

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Rev. Prof. Matthew J. M. Coomber @mjmcoomber.bsky.social · 9d

Fantastic! We have something similar with Iowa universities

Love how quick the turnaround is if you only need a chapter, or an article

Rev. Prof. Matthew J. M. Coomber @mjmcoomber.bsky.social · 9d

Interlibrary Loan,
I love you and would follow you to the gates of Hell.
*same for libraries & the amazing folks who run them*

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Rev. Prof. Matthew J. M. Coomber @mjmcoomber.bsky.social · 9d

Nations led by people who promote cruelty as virtue & profit from misery should not call themselves Christian

www.nytimes.com/audio/app/20...

New York Times App Download

Download the New York Times app today.

www.nytimes.com

Rev. Prof. Matthew J. M. Coomber @mjmcoomber.bsky.social · 9d

Important observations/questions raised by Hamid

In politics, Christianity should be an outside critic & agitator, not an agent (ultimately making it a tool) of the establishment

Rebekah Eklund @profrebekah.bsky.social · 9d

Thanks to @shadihamid.bsky.social for this insightful analysis of American Christianity: wapo.st/4gJxVsG

Opinion | Two versions of Christianity battle for America’s soul

Charlie Kirk’s memorial shows how politics is reshaping this religious faith.

wapo.st