Episode 94: The Devil's Passion with Justin Butcher
Is evil structural, spiritual, or a bit of both?
Do acts of selfishness or sin have cascading effects that reverberate through history? Can we shine a light on contemporary Western politics by imagining how our politicians would react to a figure like Jesus and the movement he inspired?
All these questions are posed in The Devil’s Passion, a wonderful play by writer, activist and actor, Justin Butcher. They’re also explored more explicitly in this episode of Beer Christianity, along with discussions of Israel and its war on the people of Palestine. We talk literature, spirituality, politics and ethics, as well as about the play and the important work of Amos Trust, for whom the upcoming Palm Sunday performance will raise funds.
The Devil's Passion is a one-man play that blends historical timeframes and spiritual metaphor to present Jesus as a threat not only to the earthly status quo but to the spiritual realms of darkness. Beer Christianity got to watch a performance recently and loved it. You should check it out too, if you're in Italy or London over the next few days, or get hold of the play's text here.
Watch The Devil's Passion in London on Palm Sunday, 24 March 2024 .
You can find more info about Justin and the play here.
This episode omits a few important regular features: booze, Malky and Laura. We just forgot. But they will be back soon and this episode is plenty fascinating without them. Turns out you can have fun without alcohol. Or co-hosts. Who knew?
You can listen to Episode 94 anywhere: in Parliament while planning anti-extremist legislation that would almost certainly have re-crucified Jesus; in the Holy Land where a new(ish) Occupation once again oppresses the people; in Hell (because if you couldn’t get our podcast, wouldn’t that be Heaven?); or right here…
New to Beer Christianity? Hell’s bells, where have you been?
Beer Christianity is an anti-capitalist, pro-BLM, pro-LGBTQ+, anti-imperialist, post-post-post-evangelical podcast where we drink a bit and talk a lot. Our aim is to be real, helpful and entertaining.
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There's also a connected Show With Music on Spotify called New Old Music. Check it out if you like eclectic music and random chat.
Support Beer Christianity…
Putting the show together costs a bunch of money in hosting fees, editing software, equipment and time. If you can, please help out by donating via Buy Me a Coffee (or in our case, a beer) where you can make one-off donations or do the membership thing.
Other things…
Malky’s design work has graced many good magazines and music videos. You can find his stuff and even commission him if he’s not too busy, here. Jonty's novel, Incredulous Moshoeshoe and the Lightning Bird, is not literature but it’s quite fun if you like Supernatural, Africa or the Goth scene. Laura doesn’t want us to post her BookTok until she’s posted more videos. She may have prayed for the app to be banned just to avoid it.
Beliefs…
We don't really want to preach at you, but some people like to know what we believe. It's this: Jesus Christ is the Son of God and came to teach us a better way to be, while reconciling us to God and each other in a way we could never do without Him. He also changed water into wine. Nice.