Red Theology: On the Christian Communist Tradition

by Roland Boer

In Red On the Christian Communist Tradition , Roland Boer presents key moments in the 2,000 year tradition of Christian communism. Defined by the two features of alternative communal practice and occasional revolutionary action, Christian communism is predicated on profound criticism of the way of the world. The book begins with Karl Kautsky―the leading thinker of second-generation Marxism―and his oft-ignored identification of this tradition. From there, it offers a series of case studies that deal with European instances, the Russian Revolution, and to East Asia. Here we find the emergence of Christian communism not only in China, but also in North Korea. This book will be a vital resource for scholars and students of religion and the many aspects of socialist tradition.

Genres: Religion, History, Politics, Theology, Christianity, Philosophy, Nonfiction

308 pages, ebook

Published March 7, 2019

About the author

Roland Theodore Boer is a Marxist philosopher based in China. His research concerns the many dimensions of the construction of socialism, especially in China but also elsewhere.

Reviews

[Chet · Rating 4 out of 5]

The North Korea chapter is especially breathtaking. Fascinating insights from a wide range of citations including the PCUSA, Billy Graham, an ROK expat scholar in Germany, the DPRK's own English language publications, and an obscure New Zealand DPRK-supporters' affiliate made me rethink everything I thought I knew about religious observance in the notorious "hermit kingdom."

But regarding every chapter: you'll never look at Christianity nor communism the same again.

[Tynan Brooks]

It's alright. The writing is pretty boring, but there's enough interesting stuff in here that I'm glad I read it. The Anglo-Catholic socialist Australian was really cool.