The Sources of Early Christian Communism by Roman A. Montero

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by Roman A. Montero
Writer, Dandelion Salad
Oslo, Norway
Roman A. Montero’s blog
Originally published by Church life Journal, July 30, 2019
September 6, 2019

In the vast literature dealing with the rise of Christianity, we find many different accounts of how this small sect of Jewish messianists arose, spread, and eventually took over the Roman Empire. However, most of these histories focus on Christianity as a group defined by a set of beliefs, or a group dedicated to the adoration of the person of Jesus Christ. While it is true that Christianity, as it arose, was certainly those things, it was also a group with its own socio-economic ideology and set of practices.

Caleb Maupin: Is America The New Rome? A Socialist View

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with Caleb Maupin
Writer, Dandelion Salad
Caleb Maupin (website)
Caleb Maupin (Facebook Page)
February 8, 2019

“Socialism is all about grit and struggle and sacrifice but it’s about building up, and building up your community, building up your world but doing it in a way that doesn’t come at the expense of somebody else!”

Italy: The Weak Under-Belly of Europe–The Malfunctioning of the Bel Paese by Gaither Stewart

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by Gaither Stewart
Writer, Dandelion Salad
Rome, Italy
July 22, 2017

After World War II the USA and NATO labeled Italy the “soft under-belly of Europe”, chiefly because of the presence of The Italian Communist Party (PCI), Europe’s biggest political formation of the left. Because of capitalist Italy’s unpredictable and individualistic character existing like a Trojan Horse inside the European Union (EU), that label stuck even after the PCI died following the dissolution of the USSR. The party’s later iterations were reduced to rivulets as dry as the river Po in August and about which hardly a murmur is heard today. That label however has conditioned US-NATO relations with Italy since then. The Bel Paese became not only a US vassal state but an occupied country, an aircraft carrier jutting out toward North Africa and hosting dozens of US military bases. Today’s La Repubblica, Italy’s major newspaper, reported that 70 American atomic bombs are concealed on the US Airbase of Aviano in NE Italy, the greatest number in one country of the 180 atomic bombs scattered across Europe.

Historical Origins of the State: Barbarians at the Gate, Part 3 by Arthur D. Robbins

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by Arthur D. Robbins
Writer, Dandelion Salad
Paradise Lost, Paradise Regained
April 12, 2017

War has indeed become perpetual and peace no longer even a fleeting wish nor a distant memory. We have become habituated to the rumblings of war and the steady drum beat of propaganda about war’s necessity and the noble motives that inspire it. We will close hospitals. We will close schools. We will close libraries and museums. We will sell off our parklands and water supply. People will sleep on the streets and go hungry. The war machine will go on.

Statecraft VS Politics As Usual by William John Cox

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by William John Cox
Writer, Dandelion Salad
williamjohncox.com
February 17, 2016

As Americans are once again suffering through a barrage of nonstop negative political advertising during yet another “hold your nose and vote” election cycle, they yearn, desperately, for things to be different. Featuring a host of lackluster candidates pushing misleading issues, the 2016 presidential election is up for grabs. Stocks, bonds, commodities, and currency markets around the world are weakening. Odds are that America’s relentless “War on Terrorism” overseas will again flashback to the homeland, and there is an increasing certainty that humanity is experiencing a devastating change in the climate. All of this poses a grave threat to the continuation of the United States as a free and democratic republic. Will the new president—whoever she or he is—be capable of resolving these dangerous issues and preserving the Constitution? What should Americans demand of all political candidates, and what should be their qualifications?

I Claudius: A touch of murder – Episode 1 (1976) (no longer available)

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Video no longer available.

cuculus74 on Jan 30, 2011

The mini-series follows the history of the Roman Empire, from approximately the death of Marcellus (24/23 BC) to Claudius’ own death in 54 AD. As Claudius narrates his life, we witness Augustus’ attempts to find an heir, often foiled by his wife Livia who wants her son Tiberius to become emperor. We also see the conspiracy of Sejanus, the infamous reign of Caligula, and Claudius’ own troubled period of rule.

The Dawning: Christianity in the Roman Empire (no longer available)

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Day of Discovery

Take a closer look at the struggles faced by early Christians and their driving force to endure, as Dr. Joseph Stowell, President of Cornerstone University, takes you on an amazing journey to modern-day Rome. You’ll also visit Pompeii, Herculaneum, Ephesus, and other significant locations that reveal the formation of the Christian faith in the Roman Empire from a social, economic, and political perspective.

The Armor of God – An Exposition of Ephesians 6:10-17 by Warren Doud

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Grace Notes

An Exposition of Ephesians 6:10-17

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The apostle Paul had a lifelong contact with the Roman army. He was a Roman citizen and very patriotic; and his admiration of the fighting forces of Rome was great.

The Roman army was at its peak of efficiency during the early Christian era. It served as police and frontier guard over all of Europe, the borders with Asia, and North Africa. Paul had many dealings with Roman legionnaires.