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Rev. Prof. Matthew J. M. Coomber

@mjmcoomber.bsky.social

2.9K followers 910 following 1.5K posts

Professor/Episcopal priest studying anti-imperial resistance in the ancient world while 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

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

I wouldn’t take a paycheck if I didn’t know its source

And how can the public accept or trust a military that’s not paid for by the people

ht: @egall.bsky.social & @brunojnavarro.bsky.social

NH's "Play-by-Play" Guy @egall.bsky.social · 8h

It's not that wealthy people object to paying for things, it's more that they object to the democratic oversight that comes from the usual taxation an appropriations process. They want to be in control without any of the rest of us getting a say:

NOTUS @notus.com · 8h

President Trump claimed that a “very wealthy” donor had offered to pay members of the military during the ongoing government shutdown.
www.notus.org/trump-white-...

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

Absolutely, Mark!
Good times

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

Amen.

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

My students have just taught me that playing hacky-sac is NOT "just riding a bicycle" and the '90s were a LONG time ago.

To be fair, I was wearing slacks, a button-up shirt, and a bow tie

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Rev. Prof. Matthew J. M. Coomber @mjmcoomber.bsky.social · 13h

New book on my shelf
Looking like a good one!

Rev. Prof. Matthew J. M. Coomber @mjmcoomber.bsky.social · 13h

Interesting NYT article on purity culture and its symbolisms

If looking for an academic chapter on purity culture & Bible, I've used Dr. Jessica Keady's "Rape Culture Discourse and Female Impurity: Genesis 34 as a Case Study" with my students since it came out
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/11/s...

Title page of Jessica M. Keady's chapter, "Rape culture discourse and female impurity: genesis 34 as a case study."

Title page of the edited volume, Rape Culture, Gender Violence, and Religion: Biblical Perspectives, by C. Blyth, E. Colgan, K. Edwards, eds. Publishing house: Palgrave Macmillan

Rev. Prof. Matthew J. M. Coomber @mjmcoomber.bsky.social · 15h

Reading campus emails when this snuck in from my kid's school. For a hot second I thought it was from my university 😂

Now I want to read a grad-level choose-your-own-adventure

Ad promoting a scholastic book fair. "Coming soon: Best. Week,. Ever. Volunteers wanted!"

Rev. Prof. Matthew J. M. Coomber @mjmcoomber.bsky.social · 1d

So glad to come across the @motherjones.com interview with @maklelan.bsky.social!

www.motherjones.com/politics/202...

The Bible says so…or does it?

On this week’s “More To The Story,” religious scholar and TikTok star Dan McClellan examines how some Christian nationalists use—and often abuse—the Bible to gain political power.

www.motherjones.com

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Rev. Prof. Matthew J. M. Coomber @mjmcoomber.bsky.social · 1d

The more you know…

I remember doing extensive trainings in the late ‘90s & early ‘00s.

From a former street medic, if tear gas is released, get eye contacts out ASAP. In fact, leave them at home if at all possible.

The Intercept @theintercept.com · 1d

Watch this before going to a protest.

How To Stay Safe At a Protest, According To An Attorney

As people head to the streets this weekend in LA and elsewhere, protesters should be informed about their constitutional rights and safety options. On the latest episode of The Intercept Briefing…

interc.pt

Rev. Prof. Matthew J. M. Coomber @mjmcoomber.bsky.social · 1d

We shall use our rights as we wish

Greg Pak @gregpak.net · 1d

you cannot "abuse" your rights.

civil rights either are protected and real or they are not.

Dave Byrnes @djbyrnes1.bsky.social · 1d

Broadview Mayor Katrina Thompson's full statement, in which she says she will sign an EO permitting protest "only at the safety zone located at the ICE facility on Beach Street," is up on the village's website.

"There are too many protesters abusing their right to protest," Thompson says.

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

James F. McGrath (ReligionProf) @religionprof.bsky.social · 1d

Episode 65: Angela Patterson – The Faith of Gen Z thebiblefornormalpeople.com/episode-65-a...

Episode 65: Angela Patterson - The Faith of Gen Z - The Bible For Normal People

Angela Patterson discusses trends in the spiritual lives of Gen Z, and the need for a space a space for young people to find new ways of living out faith.

thebiblefornormalpeople.com

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Rev. Prof. Matthew J. M. Coomber @mjmcoomber.bsky.social · 2d

It’s a sin for Christians to hold hatred toward their neighbor

It’s quite another to foster hatred of “the other” through spreading lies & delusion across society

Psychoanalyst sitting in a chair with a riot, police officer laying on his office sofa, in mask & full right gear holding a police baton across his chest.

The psychoanalyst asks, “Do you see antifa in the room right now?”

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

Good grief!
… and discernment process
… and psychological evaluations

One could go on

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

Should you need a catalyst for procrastination (perhaps from writing an SBL/AAR paper?), here you go...

Leila Lois @leilaboos.bsky.social · 5d

It’s spooky season 👻 Nos Calan Gaeaf @reviewwales.bsky.social

open.spotify.com/episode/6T9F...

EP160 Halloween Folklore: Ghostly Games & Welsh Spirits on Nos Calan Gaeaf (Ghosts & Folklore of Wales podcast with Mark Rees)

open.spotify.com

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

Amen

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

The Assisi Project @assisiproject.com · 4d

"I pray and counsel you...to live always a most holy and simple life. Be careful to avoid anyone who would teach or guide you in any other way." #SaintFrancisOfAssisi #LiveTheGospel

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

"to stop living like civilians and start fighting like soldiers"
...just like Jesus and his disciples did 🙄

Humanists UK @humanists.uk · 4d

The group describes itself as a ‘spiritual army’ opposed to ‘sin and cultural decay’, and ‘a coalition of Christians… who believe it’s time for the Church to stop living like civilians and start fighting like soldiers’. humanists.uk/2025/10/09/h...

Homophobic Christian Nationalist mob targets London’s gay district

A homophobic religious mob calling themselves the ‘King’s Army’ organised an intimidating mob in the streets of London’s Soho – the heart of London’s LGBT+ community, home to many LGBT+ bars, clubs,…

humanists.uk

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

Ordered Elizabeth Backfish and Cynthia Shafer-Elliot's new book, out Oct. 14: preorder available at Thriftbooks.com

www.thriftbooks.com/w/grounded-t...

Grounded Theology in the Hebrew Bible:... book by Elizabeth Backfish

Buy a cheap copy of Grounded Theology in the Hebrew Bible:... book by Elizabeth Backfish. Many books focus on either the cultural contexts of ancient Israel or the theology of the Hebrew Scriptures. T...

www.thriftbooks.com

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

Diana Butler Bass @dianabutlerbass.bsky.social · 5d

There are two stories of pastors making the rounds today.

If you think the first is Christ-like, you probably failed Sunday School. And the second? Well, it speaks for itself.

WWJD? It ain't hard to figure it out.

A Tale of Two Pastors
open.substack.com/pub/dianabut...

A Tale of Two Pastors

WWJD?

open.substack.com

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Rev. Prof. Matthew J. M. Coomber @mjmcoomber.bsky.social · 5d

The girlfriend of one of the founders of antifa

Mariah von Wedemeyer Weller & Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Weller was a Computer scientist and fiancé of Dietrich Bonhoeffer up until his murdered by the Nazi state.

Rev. Prof. Matthew J. M. Coomber @mjmcoomber.bsky.social · 5d

The girlfriend of one of the founders of antifa

Bix Caleen and Cassian Andor, who is one (two) of the people that made the rebellion in Star Wars possible

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

And-BOO 👻 Jacobs (he/him) @drewjakeprof.bsky.social · 5d

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 · 5d

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 · 5d

The struggle is real

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

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 · 9d

Lovely!