This week, John Dear talks Matthew Fox, world reknown theologian, Episcopal priest, long-time activist for justice and creation, and author of many best-selling books including Original Blessing, The Coming of the Cosmic Christ, A Spirituality Named Compassion, and The Hidden Spirituality of Men.

“We’re living through a dark night of our species, our society, and our souls,” he says. “We’re in the middle of a coup. American democracy is being hijacked in the name of authoritarianism by the billionaires. This movement that is culminating in Trump began over 40 years ago; it’s gathered racism, revenge and resentment. Project 2025 has 18 points that are obviously anti-Christ, but we don’t talk about evil; we talk about sin. These are spiritual forces–racism, sexism, unbridled greed (capitalism). They are names for evil spirits.

“There’s a difference between sin and evil,” he teaches. “We have to be strong to resist fear and evil spirits. The opposite of evil is not good; it is ‘the Sacred.’ It operates in the level of spirit.

“Abraham Heschel said the primary work of the prophet is ‘to interfere,’” Matthew Fox says. “We need to interfere! We also need a spirituality of falling in love with life. We have to love life, and how beautiful the world is. That’s what we have to drink in and fill up on. We should be able to unite around gratitude for our existence. We’ve got to fill up on joy and celebration as well as resisting and saying no to evil.

When I asked about nonviolence, he said, Nonviolence begins with ourselves. We’re all carrying the seeds of violence and nonviolence. We need to nurture the seeds of nonviolence in us and contribute to nurturing the seeds of nonviolence in others. Listen in for wisdom and encouragement to deepen both your spirituality and your resistance!