TAN Conversations

TAN's Mary Harrell interviews social scientist Steven Mosher about his new book, The Devil and Communist China.

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As Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn said, “Within the philosophical system of Marx and Lenin, and at the heart of their psychology, hatred of God is the principal driving force, more fundamental than all their political and economic pretensions.” This is certainly true of the leaders of the Communist “dynasty” that currently rules China. Chairman Mao, the founder of the Red Dynasty, proudly referred to himself as wu fa wu tian—a Chinese phrase meaning that he was both Godless and lawless. His hatred of God was matched only his rejection of all authority other than his own.

The current occupant of the Dragon Throne, Xi Jinping has a thriving personality cult, including a Xi Jinping app that everyone must have on their phones which downloads daily readings from Xi’s speeches and writings. Churches are being turned into “Civilization Practice Stations for the New Era”, their Bibles confiscated and replaced with Xi’s collected works, sermons replaced with political indoctrination of the “Thou shalt have no other gods before you than the CCP” kind. Pictures of Jesus Christ are taken down and replaced with pictures of Chairman Mao and Secretary Xi.

In The Devil and Communist China, Steven Mosher lays out in great detail the diabolical self-aggrandizement with deep roots in Chinese ancient political theory, called Legalism, which established the prototype for the totalitarian rule that the Chinese people suffer under today. It is perhaps no accident that the red dragon has been, since the founding of China as a unified country in 220 BC, as the archetypal symbol of that country. The Devil’s false promise has always been “You shall be as Gods,” and China’s leaders down to the present day continue to make this Faustian bargain, to the detriment of the Chinese people and—ultimately—their own souls.

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TAN's Mary Harrell interviews author Fr. Mitch Pacwa, SJ, about his new book, Commentary on the Book of Isaiah, where the prolific Scripture scholar unpacks the mysteries contained in this prophetic book to guide Catholics on a path of sanctity.

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Isaiah is undoubtedly the greatest prophet in the Old Testament. The name Isaiah means ‘God is Salvation’ which points to the main theme throughout the book. God has come to save his people and this message is what makes Isaiah a book for every Catholic to read, understand, and meditate.

However, reading the Book of Isaiah is not always clear and straightforward. This commentary organizes the events and prophecies in chronological history to help the reader grasp all the grace and messages this beautiful book has to offer. This book can help us in our understanding of our faith as it traces the themes of the oneness of God, his perfections reflected in Creation, God’s punishment, the remnant, and the sending of a Messiah.

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Dive into the triumph of the good and saintly popes and the scandals of the bad in this live streaming interview. Award-winning author Fr. Jeffrey Kirby sits down with TAN's Mary Harrell to discuss his new book, A Year with the Popes.

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This manual reads as an engaging parade through the history of the papacy and gives an encouraging affirmation of the divine character of the papal office exploring the teachings of these men who were called the Vicar of Christ.

Avoiding academic staleness and cold, empty passages from documents, A Year with the Popes gives an encouraging affirmation of the divine character of the papal office as it walks through history and explores the teachings of these men who were called the Vicar of Christ.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Fr. Jeffrey Kirby is pastor at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in the Diocese of Charleston in Indian Land, South Carolina. He is the author of several books, including Kingdom of Happiness: Living the Beatitudes in Everyday Life; Doors of Mercy: Exploring God's Covenant with You; and Lord, Teach Us to Pray. He has appeared on EWTN, Salt + Light television, and the BBC, as well as on Catholic radio. In 2016, in recognition of his widespread service to young adults, he received the Order of the Palmetto, South Carolina’s highest civilian honor. Kirby is an adjunct professor of theology at Belmont Abbey College and Pontifex University/Holy Spirit College. He is also a spirituality contributor to Crux and a guest columnist for The Catholic Thing. He served in a number of parish and Catholic school positions in South Carolina. He is a veteran of the Army National Guard, for which he received several ribbons and medals. Kirby also has led retreats for various monasteries and schools of the Visitation Sisters throughout the world. He earned a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s degree in philosophy from Franciscan University of Steubenville, where he also was given the 2017 John King Mussio Award for Faithful Service to the Church. Kirby also earned a bachelor’s degree in sacred theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University. He has a master’s degree in bioethics from the Pontifical Athenaeum Queen of the Apostles in Rome and a licentiate in moral theology from the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome, where he also earned a doctorate in sacred theology.

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