Rev. Prof. Matthew J. M. Coomber
LightNews LightNews
banner
mjmcoomber.bsky.social
Rev. Prof. Matthew J. M. Coomber
@mjmcoomber.bsky.social
3K followers 910 following 1.7K posts
Professor/Episcopal priest studying anti-imperial resistance in the ancient world and practicing anti-fascist resistance in the modern | 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ ally | https://www.amazon.com/author/coomber | he/him | posts mine

Described as “dope teacher” in student eval
Posts Replies Media Videos
Pinned
mjmcoomber.bsky.social
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
mjmcoomber.bsky.social
Preach
sarahebond.bsky.social Sarah E. Bond @sarahebond.bsky.social · 13h
You can’t use Cicero to represent the universal Roman perspective for 60 million people in the empire & you can’t use a Reddit comment as emblematic of all 340 million Americans. Paying historians to do proper research & paying journalists to conduct proper interviews are two sides of the same coin
November 30, 2025 at 3:55 PM
mjmcoomber.bsky.social
Not to mention folks blown-up in their boats
(rich justice vs. poor justice)

www.nytimes.com/2025/11/29/u...
In Announcing Pardon of Drug Trafficker While Threatening Venezuela, Trump Displays Contradictions
www.nytimes.com
November 30, 2025 at 12:17 AM
mjmcoomber.bsky.social
Great SBL session on Zeichmann’s new book last weekend, and now I’m reading it

Highly recommend!
November 29, 2025 at 5:41 PM
mjmcoomber.bsky.social
Acts of anarchism are everywhere & they are beautiful

- You don't have to be famous
- The act can be small or large
- Simply engaging in care and mutual aid makes the world better

(ps. you are loved)
November 28, 2025 at 8:06 PM
mjmcoomber.bsky.social
Consumer capitalism…
November 25, 2025 at 8:17 PM
mjmcoomber.bsky.social
Capped off SBL/AAR with a private tour of Old North Church (of Paul Revere fame) by the vicar: my old seminary friend, the Rev. Dr. Matthew Cadwell
Photo of me in my phone in the sanctuary Who does the church from the above showing the stalls people would rent for pews? Preaching action shot from the raised pulpit View of the front of the church from the back
November 25, 2025 at 4:34 PM
mjmcoomber.bsky.social
That was perhaps the most gratifying SBL/AAR I’ve attended

Downside is, while I was supposed to be home last night, I’m still stuck at Chicago O’Hare and facing more delays than I care to list

Still, well worth it!
November 25, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Reposted by Rev. Prof. Matthew J. M. Coomber
aspencerhall.bsky.social
Recently, Blake Gutt and I had the great fortune to sit down with @eocieslik.bsky.social & record a converation for the Whiplash pod with @maxwellkuzma.bsky.social on medieval trans & genderqueer saints--and why they matter today, more than ever

#MedievalSky 🗃️
November 25, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Reposted by Rev. Prof. Matthew J. M. Coomber
hannahmstrommen.bsky.social
Definitely go to this if you’re in Boston, Tommy’s papers are always brilliant!
tommylynch.bsky.social Tommy Lynch @tommylynch.bsky.social · 11d
If anyone's attending the AAR this year, I'll be presenting on 'Cruel Hope: The Dilemmas of Polycrisis Cinema' at 0900 on Tuesday.
Abstract for a paper entitled 'Hope Hiding in Plain Sight: The Dilemmas of Polycrisis Cinema'. The abstract reads 'Apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic cinema attempt to hold two incongruous themes together: a depiction of the end in its brutal, often sensationalist, violence and the promise that this ending will be the opportunity for ‘us’ to become the best version of who ‘we’ always already were. Recent films have embraced a gritty realism in order to depict the near future that may emerge as the result of the intersecting crises of climate change, intensifying social divisions and growing political instability. I argue these explorations of the polycrisis harbour hidden hopes, but this poses a dilemma. This hope is directionless—it is a hope in hope itself. Taking 2073 (2024) as an example of this dilemma, I contrast polycrisis cinema with the cinema of the Cold War. I show that films from this earlier period were more willing to engage what Günther Anders calls a ‘naked apocalypse’.'
November 22, 2025 at 9:29 AM
Reposted by Rev. Prof. Matthew J. M. Coomber
kellyjbaker.bsky.social
Just a friendly reminder as we go into the holidays:

Folks don't have to explain to you why they don't drink.

If you offer them a drink and they decline, don't ask them why. It's not your business.

Just offer them something without alcohol to drink instead. And move on.
November 23, 2025 at 8:04 PM
mjmcoomber.bsky.social
Grateful to Wipf&Stock for featuring my latest edited book with a poster at SBL/AAR
Picture of me standing in front of a poster of my edited volume economics and empire of the Roman in the world at the SBL/AAR book stalls
November 23, 2025 at 5:27 PM
mjmcoomber.bsky.social
Morning, all

A bit of beauty for your timeline
womensartbluesky.bsky.social womensartbluesky.bsky.social @womensartbluesky.bsky.social · 7d
The work of contemporary Northjmbrian printmaker Rebecca Vincent ##ReframingWomenPrintmakers
Print featuring a sunrise or sunset with a white gold low sun creating long shadows from the tree trunks, in silhouette, in a forest, on a frosty purple and white forest floor
November 23, 2025 at 10:53 AM
mjmcoomber.bsky.social
Insightful piece from a disability perspective

www.nytimes.com/2025/11/23/o...
Opinion | Do Audiobooks Count as Reading?
www.nytimes.com
November 23, 2025 at 10:42 AM
mjmcoomber.bsky.social
After 6hrs in Chicago due to multiple delays, I’m headed to Boston! And with Chris Hoklotubbe, to boot!
Photo of me FINALLY on plane (and happy for it)
November 21, 2025 at 11:41 PM
mjmcoomber.bsky.social
Safe & happy travels to, AAR/SBL, everybody who’s going!

If you see me, please be sure to say “hi” (I look like my photo & I’m 6’9’ tall)
November 21, 2025 at 3:19 PM
mjmcoomber.bsky.social
What in holy heaven and earth?!

Coast Guard Says Swastika and Noose Displays Are No Longer Hate Incidents www.nytimes.com/2025/11/20/u...
Coast Guard Says Swastika and Noose Displays Are No Longer Hate Incidents
www.nytimes.com
November 21, 2025 at 3:36 AM
mjmcoomber.bsky.social
#RoadtripGoals
Road map entitled “Midwest Indie bookstore roadmap” Midwest Indie bookstore roadmap, showing various locations of the Midwest within independent bookstores
November 20, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Reposted by Rev. Prof. Matthew J. M. Coomber
helenalmartin.bsky.social
Attention #sblaar25 #aarsbl25
joshchafetz.bsky.social Josh Chafetz @joshchafetz.bsky.social · 11d
Every few years I feel compelled to post about the best hotel hack ever, because every time I post about it, it turns out to be new to lots of folks …
November 20, 2025 at 4:29 AM
mjmcoomber.bsky.social
My AAR/SBL conference anxiety

If you catch me glancing at your name tag, it’s never reflective of my view of your worth. I’m just really, really bad at names
Picture of three dragon heads. Above it states ADHD. First dragon labeled fast thinking, secondary labeled, hyper focus, third dragon with googly eyes and tongue sticking out is labeled memorizing names.
November 20, 2025 at 1:44 AM
mjmcoomber.bsky.social
Remembering Buenaventura Durruti, Spanish anarchist, killed on this day, Nov. 20, 1936, while defending Madrid.
Photo of Buenaventura Durruti with a quote, “fascism is not to be debated, it is to be destroyed!”
November 20, 2025 at 1:36 AM
mjmcoomber.bsky.social
Be good to yourself (and others), out there 💛

(prints by my amazing colleague in our art dept., Joseph Lappie)
A collection of different colored and patterned art prints with the words and big bold, black font “love, you are loved”
November 20, 2025 at 12:33 AM
Reposted by Rev. Prof. Matthew J. M. Coomber
drewjakeprof.bsky.social
with alt text:
Models of Piety Informal Happy Hour 5-6pm on Nov 21st Irving Bar, Lenox Hotel @ Boston
November 18, 2025 at 5:53 PM
mjmcoomber.bsky.social
Great lineup of topics!
kristadalton.bsky.social Krista Dalton @kristadalton.bsky.social · 19d
Are you planning your SBL 2025 schedule? Check out the lineup of panels from the Rabbinic Literature and Culture section.
November 18, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Reposted by Rev. Prof. Matthew J. M. Coomber
anamariecox.bsky.social
Ok, I'm going to stop reposting all the replies (turned my feed into the definition of doomscroll!) and instead encourage folks to look at the thread.
anamariecox.bsky.social Ana Marie Cox @anamariecox.bsky.social · 12d
KEEP SHARING YOUR STORIES about increased ACA premiums due to the disappearance of subsidies. The stories clearly are having an impact, they help people feel less helpless, and they create solidarity that leads to action.

Mine went from $395→ $821. What happened for you?
November 18, 2025 at 7:29 PM
mjmcoomber.bsky.social
New profile picture, but it's still me
November 17, 2025 at 10:16 PM