Communism in the Bible

by José Porfirio Miranda

Miranda will not be pigeonholed by the academy. It is to be strongly hoped that he is taken seriously, for there is in his writing the kind of discernment which may reform and renew Scripture study. Walter Brueggemann, Professor of Old Testament, Eden Theological Seminary This book, like the liberation theologies generally (Latin American, Black, feminist), challenges traditional 'intentional misunderstandings' of the Scripture by established powers. It allows familiar biblical passages, such as the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, to speak out with their original force and clarity--and the message sounds astonishingly new! An excellent translation by Robert Barr. Madeleine Boucher, Associate Professor of New Testament, Fordham University Jose Miranda's book is an extremely valuable statement, which advances the discussion of biblical economics to a new stage. Miranda minces no words in exposing the exegetical sleight-of-hand attempted by 'conscience-tranquillizing theologians.' His passionate and informed defense of 'Christian communism' will have to be reckoned with by all who have professed a willingness to be obedient to the Gospel. Richard J. Mouw, Professor of Philosophy, Calvin College A scholarly study in biblical teaching--brief, direct, powerful--which puts the burden of proof on those who would deny that original and authentic Christianity is communistic (not, to say, Marxist). This is vintage Miranda--erudite, passionate, persuasive, and above all, disturbing. Robert T. Osborn, Chairman, Department of Religion, Duke University

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

96 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1981

About the author

Catholic clergyman and Jesuit, philosopher, theologian and economist, author and professor at the Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana of the Metropolitan Region of Mexico City, and at the Jesuit College in Guadalajara. Miranda wrote basic works of liberation theological exegesis and theory formation.

Reviews

[Rui · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary of the main biblical arguments for communism:
1 - God prefers the poor and the opressed (Lc 1, 53/ Lc 4, 18)
2 - Jesus condemns wealth (Mt 6, 24 / Mt 19,24)
3 - Wealth comes from injustice (Am 3, 19 / Jer 5, 27)
4 - Jesus comands His followers to renounce property (Mc 10, 21)
5 - Jesus and His friends had everything in common (Jo 13, 6)
6 - Early Christians had everything in common ( Act 2, 44 / Act 4, 32)

[Jeremy · Rating 5 out of 5]

It would be no stretch at all to say that this is one of the most fascinating and informative books I've had the pleasure of devouring. And all that in less than 100 pages (78 to be precise)!!

Senor Miranda lays out an extremely solid case that, not only does the Bible calls us to help the poor, but that the Bible condemns wealth and that almsgiving is not some charitable obligation, it is reparation for what was stolen from the poor in the first place! Not only that, but the author makes it clear that every single prophet, and of course Jesus Christ Himself, condemns the accumulation of wealth and declares profit nothing less than the exploitation of the less fortunate.

Christian apologists for the rich explain away biblical condemnations of differentiating wealth as though Christ and the prophets aimed their words at only a particular sort of rich person. Balderdash! Miranda brilliantly tears this excuse apart, saying: "It is as if the biblical condemnations of lechery and adultery could be nullified by postulating that they refer to certain particular individuals who have committed lecheries and adulteries that were especially perverse." If Christian readers of this book don't agree that accumulation of wealth and property is not only harmful, but criminal, they are being either obtuse or absolutely dishonest with themselves.

The author includes an exhaustive array of Bible passages and historical context to make his argument. After reading this book I can assure you, you'll never read the Bible in the same light again. And that is a beautiful thing.

[ricmarrod · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Derribó a los potentados de sus tronos y ensalzó a los humildes. A los hambrientos llenó de bienes, y a los ricos despidió vacíos".
Lc 1: 52-53

[John Weathers · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the author indicates in his foreword, this book is a biblical manifesto. And what a sharp, engaging book it is!

Miranda offers here an excellent, concise, and highly perceptive commentary on the threads of communism in the Bible. He develops his case with a steady, clear logic that cuts through exegetical sleight-of-hand that represent "irrational reactions, the spasms of an uncontrollable visceral revulsion" to the message of the Bible. His writing is passionate, humorous, and displays a confident command of the material. His argument does seems forced and less convincing towards the end, but regardless there is rich food for thought here.

Over the years of my Christian journey, I have made many of the same observations in my own readings and studies, but Miranda brings together things that I missed altogether and presents a united, compelling case whereas I had merely found strong hints. Reading this book made me eager to re-read the Bible.

I highly recommend this book to both Christians and communists.

[Martín · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pff més cristianisme així, se basó

[Papa Noel Comunista · Rating 5 out of 5]

No me lo acabé pero es el libro que más he citado en conversaciones en mi vida, solo por eso le doy ya las 5 estrellas.

[Jacob Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Through a radical and biblically consistent exegesis, José Porfirio Miranda has produced a revolutionary clarion call: that what the God of the Bible demands is the dismantling of Capitalism and the foundation of a Kingdom of God that looks very much like Communism (or as he admits, more like an anarchic version thereof). Miranda does none of this with the aid of Marx, Engels, Lenin, or anyone in that tradition. Instead, he enlists a laundry list of conservative commentators, theologians, Church fathers, and most importantly and centrally: the Bible itself.

Miranda argues concisely and cleanly, presenting the facts and dismantling biblical distortions in a matter-of-fact tone that is refreshing and compelling.

This book is short and packs a punch: Christians who claim to be students of the Word will have a lot to contend with if they take that commitment seriously and they read this book.

[Joshua Steen · Rating 4 out of 5]

So much of this was amazing, which made the VERY end where he had Jesus endorsing and participating in revolutionary violence so unfortunate. Still, he takes Jesus seriously and rebukes the notion that Jesus has nothing to say about our political structures. He uses "communism" here to mean communal ownership and the abolition of profit, not necessarily Marxism or materialism. Compelling argument for why the Bible is anti-profit in every instance, from the prophets to the Psalms to Jesus himself, and reflected in the early church practices and Church Fathers teachings. Consider St. Basil: "It is the hungry one's bread you keep, the naked one's footwear putrifying in your power, the needy one's money that you have buried." Or Ambrose: "You are not giving the poor person the gift of a part of what is yours; you are returning to him something of what is his."

According to Miranda (and the Bible), there is no such thing as a just rich person when there are poor people. It is not wealth itself that Jesus condemns, but rather differentiating wealth, because there is no just way to acquire this wealth. We have ignored the harshness of the Gospel on wealth for convenience sake, and Miranda knocks down each objection one by one with solid exegesis and logic argument for why capitalism and Christ are incompatible. Convicting and cutting in a concise little book.

His last little section of Jesus on violence, however, just sounded like a rightist militaristic argument flipped on its head. He pulled instances of violence from the Old Testament, but instead of the "wicked" being gay people, he made them rich people. Then he somehow twisted Jesus's words to make him endorse and encourage violence against rich people. It's the kind of "cleansing violence" argument that conservatives who wish to stamp out Islam or homosexuality use, just turned into a leftist critique of capitalism. Again, it sucks, because this was the very last couple pages he decided to throw this in.

"The struggle for a society in which there will be no rich or poor is not a 'preferential option for the poor'... it is not an option, it is an obligation."

[Ryan Andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don’t let the evangelicals see this!

In all seriousness, an interesting read that is contrary to everything I ever learned in the church in America. The author states that it is a manifesto, and at times it does read like one (especially the last section on violence). It is an excellent reminder how far the church has moved away from the teachings of the Gospel (and Old Testament), even if you do not agree with the thesis that Christianity is communism

[Sofia · Rating 4 out of 5]

mucho mejor de lo q esperaba y no se parece al resto de libros q tratan el tema esta muy bien ole

[Raymond · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have never agreed more with a book, theologically—Miranda articulates many of my own beliefs, but far more eloquently.

Highly recommend reading this in tandem with Dorothy Day's The Long Loneliness: The Autobiography of the Legendary Catholic Social Activist and Fr. Gustavo Gutiérrez's Gustavo Gutiérrez: Essential Writings to glean a more expanded understanding of both liberation theology and CST.

I have not read José Porfirio Miranda before, but this has certainly put him on my radar.

[Marcus · Rating 3 out of 5]

What an odd book. Recommended and read in one sitting.

I think it’s odd given where we are at in the economy. Admittedly, I know very little about communism and Marxism so especially early on I felt like there was a lot of foundation of the argument being built, assuming that the reader already knew about some of this stuff. So it was a slow start.

However, as it went on, there were points that I legitimately agreed with. And it recalled a time in my earlier study in my 20s when I wouldn’t say it in those words because I didn’t have the language for it, but Jesus really did seem to be against rich and powerful people.

At this point in my life, it’s hard to draw conclusions, but I think I would say capitalism is probably the least aligned economic system in terms of the teachings of Jesus. Although the author extends this through arguments and also scripture referencing that the whole Bible has always been pro-communism.

However, there is one objection, especially towards the end of the book that I vehemently disagree with. And that is the justification of violence. I like to think that the author has a narrow scope for the violence against oppressors essentially. As the preface starts that this is a manifesto, I can see as it ends where it becomes more of that. But the logic which is sound or at least worth considering for most of the book, becomes extremely rudimentary. Even falling into the same trap they had just discussed in the previous chapter. I suppose they would say that it’s because it’s not a parable, but just because we are given or saying a comment phrase comparing something doesn’t mean that it approves of that element. As the author gives an example, if I say this delay is torture no reasonable person is going to actually believe I’m talking about torture.

I think that the cornerstone that this entire argument builds off of or at least the point that I would disagree with where they draw a few conclusions that I think or categorically incorrect. Is this Christendom theology where Jesus‘s kingdom is something that is on this earth. It may be or originate not from this earth, but it will be on this earth. I recall earlier on they were making a point about how Jesus‘s kingdom is here and present on this earth and they have a lot of quotes and references but then they completely ignore revelation 21 where Jesus very clearly is saying that I am making all things new and a new heaven and a new earth.

It’s like the author missed the fact that when something is coming or is that hand that it has a sense of locality but also temporarily. Meaning that I can say that something has come in the physical space. Meaning that I have come or I plan to come tomorrow. We can also say in the time space that tomorrow will come and I think that they’ve completed those two things.

And really if you take apart that piece or if you what I feel is correctly assert that there will be a new heaven and a new earth, that some of the conclusions are just incorrect, especially the ones about violence. But again the author may have only believes that was towards overthrowing oppressors. I’m not sure this book ends very quickly as if the writer was ready to be done with the argument. And it doesn’t end very well to be honest with you. I would’ve picked a different topic to end on because admittedly it’s one of the weakest points.

Coming out of this, again I would say that I don’t know communism very well, but I know capitalism very well, and I would say that from my own readings and from some of the arguments in this book that capitalism is not very well aligned with the teachings of Jesus. I think that is an accurate statement by anyone who knows the teachings of Jesus and if you want to extend it to the Bible, you can, I don’t think I would because I’m not knowledgeable enough.

And I think that I would agree that especially in modern times there has been this tendency to not call out those who are exuberantly wealthy. And even from that we see the consequences, particularly in the prosperity Gospel movement.

—-


I just think reading this in this day and time is so interesting. Just as I feel like humanity is at an inflection point of post scarcity. But maybe we’re not maybe we will continue just like in the industrial revolution to find ways to become more productive and squeeze out more wealth from the laborers to the few. And where do we as followers of Jesus play a role in that conversation? But also looking at the American church as it continues to generally move towards prosperity gospel, how long will we bear such teachings that are quite clearly against the teachings of Jesus? And lastly, as a Church community, especially in one of the most prosperous nations of all humankind, America, will we continue to not help and support the poor, the orphaned, and the widows. Those who are most in need.

I don’t recommend anyone read this unless they enjoy academic writing and have an open mind. Otherwise it won’t be fruitful. Either hating it or being carried away with the arguments to invalid conclusions.

[Eric T · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Communism in the Bible” serves as a manifesto for Jose Miranda, while “Marx and the Bible” stands as his magnum opus, covering much of the same territory. After reading the latter, I turned to this book seeking a more concentrated presentation of Miranda’s argument. At only 80 pages or so, it is a brief but very powerful read, and serves as a great introduction to Miranda’s theological and philosophical framework. His central thesis asserts that Christianity is essentially Communism, especially as seen in the Acts of the Apostles and the condemnation of economic inequality. As in “Marx and the Bible,” Miranda employs biblical exegesis to support his claims, though it plays a less prominent role here than in his larger work. At only 80 pages or so, it is a brief but very powerful read, and serves as a great introduction to Miranda’s theological and philosophical framework.

In this book, Miranda adopts a more philosophical approach, drawing from both political theory and theology to argue that modern Christianity is fundamentally disconnected from the core message of Jesus of Nazareth and the Old Testament's focus on injustice. In particular, Miranda convincingly shows that Jesus’ proclamation of the “Kingdom of God” directly engaged with material and social issues, challenging the notion that it was solely a spiritual concept. For this, his skilled use of biblical exegesis shines through as he forcefully rejects modern arguments used by certain segments of society to downplay the more radical implications of Jesus’ teachings. Miranda also examines the connections between Jesus, violence, and politics, contending that Jesus did not object to the use of violence against those responsible for economic inequality and injustice, and that he was, in fact, a political figure as portrayed in the Gospels. I found this aspect of Miranda’s argument less convincing. For instance, he interprets the passage “I have not come to bring peace, but a sword” (Matthew 10:34–36) quite literally, whereas it is equally plausible that the “sword” serves as a metaphor for the power of God’s word. Miranda also seems to think that “turning the other cheek” (Matthew 5:39) doesn’t apply to cases where one’s neighbor or community member is attacked (which would, in turn, justify the “just war” principle). I think this analysis is rather flimsy, and believe that non-violence is more central to the Gospels than Miranda gives it credit for.

Overall, this is an excellent read on how Communism and Christianity have a lot in common, and how Christianity has been “corrupted” since becoming the official state religion for Imperial Rome. Miranda is very convincing overall, and if you want to be well-prepared for conversations with fellow Christians about whether communism, socialism, or Marxism truly conflict with Christianity, this book is an excellent place to start.

4.25/5

[Carlos · Rating 1 out of 5]

José Porfirio Miranda era un clérigo jesuita de ideología política de extrema izquierda. En este libro, Porfirio utiliza pasajes de la Biblia para defender una mentalidad contraria a la propiedad privada que enlaza con las ideas comunistas más radicales.

El autor demuestra tener unos conocimientos de economía absolutamente equivocados por lo que se dedica a defender todo tipo de ideas erróneas. Para él, cualquier beneficio económico que tenga una persona en un mercado es inmoral porque proviene siempre de la explotación y del empobrecimiento de otro. Es la típica mentalidad que cree que la economía es un juego de suma cero, en el que lo que uno gana, otro lo pierde. Esto es totalmente falso, ya que, en el libre mercado solo se da una transacción comercial si las dos partes ven que obtienen un beneficio y que se enriquecen con el trato. Contrariamente a lo que cree Porfirio, el libre comercio aumenta la riqueza de todos los que participan en él. Los economistas explican todo esto detalladamente con la “Ley de costos comparativos”; ley que Porfirio parece desconocer. Así como tampoco parece tener noticia del “Teorema de la imposibilidad del socialismo” desarrollado por Ludwig von Mises y Friedrich Hayek.

Porfirio Miranda termina su libro de forma radical, justificando el uso de la violencia para imponer el comunismo basándose en que también Jesús la utilizó para expulsar a los mercaderes del templo de Jerusalén.

En resumen, me parece que éste es un libro peligroso, lleno de falacias económicas, que utiliza la Biblia para defender el comunismo, una ideología totalitaria que, siempre que se ha implementado ha acabado en la ruina económica, porque, tal y como explicó Mises en su libro “Socialismo”, no puede acabar de otra forma. Al menos, el libro de Porfirio tiene de positivo que es una advertencia sobre los enormes peligros que se esconden en muchos versículos de la Biblia. No es que Jesucristo quisiera instaurar un sistema comunista de producción en la tierra, ya que él se refería siempre a un futuro reino celestial en el que ya no haría falta trabajar; pero lo cierto que muchos de los versículos del Nuevo Testamento se pueden interpretar como contrarios a la propiedad privada, el dinero y el comercio, tal y como hace Porfirio en este libro.

Me es imprescindible terminar este comentario recordando a Antonio Escohotado y su magna obra “Los enemigos del comercio”, enemigos entre los que, sin duda, se encuentra José Porfirio Miranda.

[Malcolm David Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting, also nice and short.
One of Dostoevsky's characters says that Christian socialists are more of a threat to the established order than atheist socialists. The powers-that-be have long realised this and have constantly attempted to drive a wedge between Christianity and socialism, between religion and left-wing politics more generally. They've often been successful, not least because the religious and left-wing should-be allies have done much of this work for them. But it's when the two are allied – as in liberation theology – that they're at their most authentic and most successful.
That's my view, and Miranda backs me up by saying that "for a Christian to be anticommunist ... without doubt constitutes the greatest scandal of our [that is, the twentieth] century." It may seem an unusual and even preposterous argument to many, especially given the rise of the religious right, but I find his argument compelling and almost watertight.
I say "almost", because the last section, on revolutionary violence, seems rushed and not so well argued. That doesn't negate the point he is making, however, namely that pacifism for the poor and militarism for the rich really is the worst of both worlds.

[carolina · Rating 5 out of 5]

"¿Con qué mano de obra harían los capitalistas funcionar sus fábricas si los
obreros del país optan por el sistema comunista? Supongamos que una
revolución comunista deja a los capitalistas en libertad de opción, ¿a quién
venderían éstos sus productos si la población no quiere tener nada que ver
con la producción capitalista? Los teóricos que quieren libertad de opción
aun para la insignificante minoría cierran los ojos ante el hecho de que esa
libertad de opción no puede existir sino suprimiendo la libertad de opción de
la inmensa mayoría. Ahí se ve cuán amantes de la libertad son en realidad:
desean tener la libertad de quitarles la libertad a los demás.
La suposición de los objetantes es lo más falso en todo esto: que los
proletarios están en el capitalismo por libre decisión. Pero para que haya
libertad se requiere conocimiento de las alternativas. Si todas las instancias
ideológicas, incluidas la iglesia y la televisión y el cine, satanizan como
criminal y anticristiana la idea comunista, ¿qué libertad de opción tienen los
proletarios?"

[Estevo Raposo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Según este libro "que un cristiano se diga antimaterialista, puede comprenderse (...), pero que un cristiano se diga anticomunista es el mayor escándalo de nuestro siglo". La idea del comunismo, según el autor, está claramente definida en el Nuevo Testamento, Jesucrísto era un revolucionario comunista que reprobó rotundamente la riqueza "diferenciante", y la teología oficial ha elaborado una concepción del cristianismo independiente de la Biblia, y aún contradictoria con él.

Contundente, bien expuesto y revolucionario.

[Jonathan Freeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprisingly quick and easy read. The writing is well-researched, well-understood, and fairly well-expressed. The ending leaves a bit to be desired, but I'm still giving it five stars because I genuinely believe every seminarian ought to read it. I think it would make for great classroom discussion in that context, and I could even see it working well for certain lay church groups.

[Josh · Rating 5 out of 5]

An electrifying manifesto, seeking to set the record straight on the true teachings of Christ. Jesus was the first commie!

It’s been a while since an argumentative text has felt so inspiring and crystal-clear to me. I’m not a Christian, but seeing how modern evangelicals and nationalistic fascists distort the word of their savior to such a degree is infuriating.

[Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've never encountered such a straightforward reading of the Bible, unconcerned with the consequences that might follow.

[Valdemar Gomes · Rating 2 out of 5]

Um livro tão chato quanto a missa. Várias vezes anota erros de tradução da Bíblia suspeitos, o que entretém. De resto, repetitivo e chato.

[Luke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pope Leo, I am a cleansing fire. Direct me towards the Data Center of the beast

[Alex Chiang · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first chapter is titled “Christianity is Communism” and I think that’s pretty cool.

[Ancient Weaver]

Great book all the way just up until the last couple pages where Miranda makes a brief (and unsatifactory) argument that Jesus was an advocate of violent revolution. But other than that abrupt, tail end tangent, this book is an excellent and uncompromising testimony to how the Bible calls for a society of economic and social egalitarianism.

As Miranda demonstrates throughout this book, the biblical writings are not neutral about economics and people's lived lives "on earth." It was the church organizations throughout history who allied themselves with the wealthy and the powerful who twisted what was written in the Bible into interpretations favoring the powers-that-be. The churches "spiritualized" the Bible, turning it's plain language about community and societal justice into mystical, otherworldly teachings about a heaven in the afterlife, and matters of narrow, private, personal, individualistic morality.

Communism in the Bible shows the reader how radicalism, social protest against the oppressive wealthy and powerful, and a vision of an egalitarian society are inherent to message of the biblical authors.

[Adam Ross · Rating 1 out of 5]

Just awful.

[Joan Brunet · Rating 2 out of 5]

Com a Manifest funciona però tot lo interessant del tema no es respon amb manifests