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John W. Martens

@jwmartens.bsky.social
2K followers 1.5K following 516 posts

Director, Centre for Christian Engagement at St. Mark’s College, UBC. Professor of Theology. What Matters Most: podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/what-…. Opinions my own.

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Frederick Clarkson @fredclarkson.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Don't miss this major article on the New Apostolic Reformation in The New Republic by bsky.app/profile/laur... may help jump start people in the political and journalism communities in need a jump to recognize this historic and powerful movement. newrepublic.com/article/2150...
newrepublic.com
We Need to Talk About the Apocalypse
End-times prophecy, pro-war prayer circles, Democrats as demons: Christian dominionism’s influence is everywhere in the second Trump administration—and increasingly, within America itself. Can democra...
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Shelley Stamp @shelleystamp.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Look at that — annual visits from Canadians down from a pre-orange guy high of over 22 million to less than 8 million. I crossed that border today and let me tell you virtually every car coming in from the #TrueNorthStrongAndFree had US plates. Only Yanks returning home.
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John W. Martens @jwmartens.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
It’s mind-boggling? Quite the opposite: it makes a lot of sense.
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John W. Martens @jwmartens.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/w... A new episode on Magnifica Humanitas and the dangers of AI, featuring Drs. Fiona Li, Nick Meisl, and Nick Olkovich. This was an insightful and even boisterous conversation at times! Please give it a listen!
podcasts.apple.com
How to Build a Civilization of Love: A Conversation on Magnifica Humanitas with Dr. Fiona Li, Rev. Dr. Nick Meisl, and Dr. Nick Olkovich
Podcast Episode · What Matters Most · September 30 · 1h 22m
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Dr SpookyGoth @ghostingdani.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Humanities will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no humanities.
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Rich Raho @richraho.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Cardinal McElroy: With Pope Leo leading, peace teaching is eclipsing just war tradition www.ncronline.org/opinion/card...
ncronline.org
Cardinal McElroy: With Pope Leo leading, peace teaching is eclipsing just war tradition
Tremendous progress has been made toward eclipsing the role of the just war tradition in Catholic teaching, and moving peace-building, multilateralism and nonviolence toward the center, says D.C. Card...
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Clara Jeffery @clarajeffery.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
We just dropped a bombshell investigation into ChatGPT's role in the Tumbler Ridge mass shooting. Incredible reporting from @markfollman.bsky.social that will have far-reaching effects...hopefully: www.motherjones.com/media/2026/0...
motherjones.com
ChatGPT helped the Tumbler Ridge school shooter focus on guns, tactics, and terror, our investigation reveals
OpenAI’s chatbot fed the shooter’s violent fantasies and planning up to the massacre.
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Robert Reich @rbreich.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
When Elon Musk's groups spent $20M+ on Wisconsin's 2025 Supreme Court race, his involvement backfired and his candidate lost by 10 points. Now his super PAC has quietly spent $14M+ on key midterm races, including the Texas Senate race. Would be a shame if people found out.
nbcnews.com
Elon Musk is flying under the radar in the Texas Senate race. Republicans want to keep it that way.
One Republican involved in the Texas Senate contest called Musk’s in-your-face campaigning in Wisconsin last year “a mis
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Thomas Brewster @thomasbrewster.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
🚨NEW🚨 In an astonishing cyberattack, a Chinese-speaking hacker told AI agents powered by DeepSeek and Anthropic's Claude to go breach a bunch of retailers and hospitality companies. Within five days, the agents hacked 30+ websites and stole over 600,000 credit cards. www.forbes.com/sites/thomas...
forbes.com
Massive AI-Fueled Hack Hit 100 Companies In Days
Anthropic, DeepSeek and Moonshot AI agents carried out a wide-ranging cyberattack, obtaining 600,000+ credit card numbers in just a few days. It’s a worrying new milestone in cybercrime.
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Brian Goldstone @brian-goldstone.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
There is something so unbelievably bleak about an article that calmly walks readers through how to navigate being laid off after 50, losing your health insurance, and somehow surviving the years until Medicare. What a broken country.
nytimes.com
Laid Off After 50, and No Health Insurance? Here’s What to Consider. (Gift Article)
At best, older workers will struggle to find health insurance that bridges the years before they qualify for Medicare at age 65.
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The Washington Post @washingtonpost.com · 18/09/2026
Exclusive: More American service members have died in the Middle East during the ongoing Iran war than the Pentagon has disclosed publicly, according to six U.S. officials familiar with the data.
washingtonpost.com
More U.S. troops have died amid Iran war than Pentagon has disclosed publicly
Officials who spoke with The Post expressed frustration that the additional loss of life in the Middle East is not reflected in the Defense Department’s casualty database.
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Claire Willett @clairewillett.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
OH SHIT DUDES THIS IS A VERY BIG DEEAL I have spoken before, you may recall, of my suspicion that Leo dropping the hammer on SSPX this summer was the first step to a bigger purge of which Opus Dei is the final boss. if Francis was ready to kick them out before he died, Leo would have known that
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John W. Martens @jwmartens.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
You have to ask the courts for this? What has happened to your country?
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Lisa Guerrero @lisaguerrero.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
A handy link to let you know who to root against this NFL season. Seven NFL owners are mentioned in the Epstein files SO FAR. And nine if you include former owners. www.thebroncosblitz.com/epstein-file...
thebroncosblitz.com
Epstein Files NFL Connections: Robert Kraft, Steve Tisch, Dan Snyder
Seven current NFL owners have been named in the Epstein Files for various reasons. Steve Tisch used Epstein to scout women, Robert Kraft hired his lawyer.
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Arthur Urbano 🌍📷🏛️🛫🇮🇹🤌😷 @arturoviaggia.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
"Among these ideologies, I consider particularly insidious the one that suggests that every person must earn or justify his or her own worth, to the point of attributing greater value to those who are more efficient or effective." Leo XIV, Magnifica Humanitas #EncyclicalBites
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papaesoco.bsky.social @papaesoco.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
The Final Battle for America’s Democracy newrepublic.com/article/2151... via @newrepublic.com
newrepublic.com
The Final Battle for America’s Democracy
Forget November 3. It’s January 3 when Donald Trump and his MAGA Republicans might bury our democracy once and for all. Here’s how.
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Raider @iwillnotbesilenced.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
"Fun fact"
Since Roe v Wade was overturned, more women have been prosecuted for miscarriages than men for being in the Epstein files.
Over 22 to O.
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John W. Martens @jwmartens.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
It’s so embarrassing to see this country destroy itself.
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The Tennessee Holler @thetnholler.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
“He should’ve spent his life in prison. Ken offered him ONE DAY in jail. An Epstein-style sweetheart deal.” A new 🔥 @jamestalarico.bsky.social ad says we don’t need any more pedophile protectors in Washington.
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Raider @iwillnotbesilenced.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
This week, DOJ fired a prosecutor who tried to hold an ICE agent accountable for shooting an unarmed man.
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Justin Wolfers @justinwolfers.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Canada's new tariffs took effect today.⁣ ⁣ Everyone wants to know if this is bad news.⁣ ⁣ Short run: barely. Long run: worse than almost anyone is saying.⁣ ⁣ newsletter.platypuseconomics.com/p/…
newsletter.platypuseconomics.com
A Deal With the United States Used to Be a Deal
The tariffs Ottawa and Washington traded today are small change. What we're actually spending is Canada's belief that we're a country worth building a factory next to.
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Jeff Sharlet @jeffsharlet.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
It's so much worse than you think www.nytimes.com/2026/09/07/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | Why Did Trump Order Up 660 Million Pounds of Mystery Meat? (Gift Article)
On second thought, I’m not that hungry.
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Karen K. Ho @karenho.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
This gallery of ICE crop/seed art at this year's Minnesota State Fair is incredible, especially the one based on Pablo Picasso's Guernica by Jennifer Nelson, which features the last words of Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Morse code: www.cropart.com/Resist.pdf
A seed art entry in the 2026 Minnesota State Fair based on Pablo Picasso's Guernica. It features a loon, the words "Ice Out" and two representations of Renee Good and Alex Pretti’s. Notably, the mouths of Good and Pretty include their last words in Morse code:
‘I’m not mad at you,’ and ‘Are you okay?’” The artist is Jennifer Nelson.
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John W. Martens @jwmartens.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/w... The great Kristine Garroway joins me to talk about archaeology and children in Judah and the surrounding regions. Her book The Dying Child delves into what the burial of children tells us about their personhood then and what we can learn from these children today.
podcasts.apple.com
The Dying Child and the Personhood of Children in Ancient Judah: A Conversation with Dr. Kristine Garroway
Podcast Episode · What Matters Most · August 5 · 1h 28m
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MeidasTouch @meidastouch.com · 01/08/2026
We could've made this montage of liars an hour long but you get the point
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John W. Martens @jwmartens.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
“Potential conflicts of interest.” Lol.
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Jessica Smith @thedaybooks.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
It’s nice to see everyone’s textual analysis of The Odyssey It’s almost like the humanities give you entertainment, feelings, pleasure, and fun/interesting stuff to talk about, as well as lenses into both past and current society
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Laurel Davila @laureldavilacpa.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
Trump is selling early peeks at his own posts for $100,000 a month, & his buddies use it to make millions in the stock market before regular people even see the news. That’s the Mar-a-Lago Mafia in action. Your rent went up. Their bank account went up faster. #RepublicanCostOfCorruption
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MeidasTouch @meidastouch.com · 25/07/2026
WHOA!! Rep. Zach Nunn (R-IA) just STRUCK a person asking him a simple question about rural hospital closures. Reporter: Do you still think rural hospital closures are a myth? Nunn: I said I'm with a constituent. You should protect their privacy! *SMACK*
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Forbes @forbes.com · 22/07/2026
Siad was under investigation in France for allegedly helping Epstein traffic and abuse women.
forbes.com
Model Scout Said To Have Linked Epstein With Young Women Found Dead In Paris
Siad was under investigation in France for allegedly helping Epstein traffic and abuse women.
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Sharon 🪳🌹 @sharonk.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
"Unjust social arrangements are themselves a kind of extortion, even violence, and consent to them does not bind." — John Rawls, A Theory of Justice
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California Dreamin’… 😎 @jerasikehorn.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
And yet, here we are…👇 What the fuck is wrong with America?! MAGA. Did. All. This. 😎✨
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John W. Martens @jwmartens.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
The USA is done as a serious country.
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Jon of The North @krauza.bsky.social · 11/07/2026
You're going to get left behind if you don't use Al." Leave me then. Leave me with my critical thinking skills, my ability to read and write long- form, and books without needing Al summaries.
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Phil Lewis @phillewis.bsky.social · 11/07/2026
CDC stopped monitoring parasite now causing explosive diarrhea across the country
huffpost.com
CDC Stopped Monitoring Parasite Now Causing Explosive Diarrhea Across The Country
MAHA.
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John W. Martens @jwmartens.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/w... A conversation with Gerry Turcotte about his novel, The Space Between, a story of a boy growing up Catholic in 1970s Montreal. A lot of humour, a bit of the French-English tension, the complexity of the Church, and recognizing some harsh realities. Do listen in!
podcasts.apple.com
A Catholic Boy in Montreal: A Conversation with Dr. Gerry Turcotte
Podcast Episode · What Matters Most · July 8 · 1h 9m
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Chris Alexander @chrisa327.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
Trump's DOJ had a court order to release the remaining Epstein files and simply refused. That should be a much bigger story right now.
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Robert Fietzke @robertfietzke.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
Die FIFA ist ein perfektes Sinnbild dafür, was Kapitalismus mit schönen Dingen macht. Am Ende ist der Sport, der weltweit Abermillionen Menschen ab Kindesbeinen begeistert, ein verrottetes Business, in dem Korruption komplett offen praktiziert wird. Es muss Schluss gemacht werden mit diesem System.
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Sharon 🪳🌹 @sharonk.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
how is america real
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Robert Komaniecki @komaniecki.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
They're calling us (humanities) the most vindicated dorks of all time
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Robert Komaniecki @komaniecki.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
Happy 4th of - oh my god
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Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 27/06/2026
'What is perhaps remarkable about the Exeter cuts is that they are targeted at some of the university’s most successful departments, many of which turn over a profit even after they have made enormous and increasing contributions to the central university budget.' Read, rage and weep.
johnheathershaw.substack.com
The Crisis in Britain’s Universities
The cuts that have been proposed at the University of Exeter demonstrates the crisis of purpose in Britain’s universities. Should not universities also be places to prepare for "eternal dwellings"?
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John W. Martens @jwmartens.bsky.social · 27/06/2026
podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/w... Just me thinking through Magnifica Humanitas. Join me for an initial walk through the text. Two more episodes will be coming in July & August. One with Tisha Rajendra and Ruben Rosario. The other with the St. Marks theology crew, Fr Nick Meisl, Fiona Li, & Nick O.
podcasts.apple.com
Magnifica Humanitas: An Encyclical Against Dehumanization in the Age of AI
Podcast Episode · What Matters Most · June 25 · 49m
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Sharon 🪳🌹 @sharonk.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
there's something remarkable how on a scientific level we're performing what would essentially be miracles and on a cultural/political level, we're going in reverse
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John W. Martens @jwmartens.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
Tabitha and I were so excited by Canada’s 6-0 World Cup win over Qatar that we went to McDonald’s to get World Cup collector cups. My cup was David Beckham, her cup was Grimace. I’m confused. She was a little sad. Did Grimace play in a World Cup? Who did Grimace play for?
Two McDonald’s World Cup collector cups, one of David Beckham, one of Grimace.
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John W. Martens @jwmartens.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/w... Season 4,Episode 24 of What Matters Most! In this episode we speak with Dr. Meredith Warren. Dr. Warren is Senior Lecturer in Biblical and Religious Studies at University of Sheffield and the Director of the Sheffield Centre for Interdisciplinary Biblical Studies.
podcasts.apple.com
Confronting Judeophobia in the NT: A Conversation with Meredith Warren
Podcast Episode · What Matters Most · June 10 · 1h 17m
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Matthew J Kuiper @matthewjkuiper.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
maga “Christianity” captured in a single quote
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Denny Carter @dennycarter.bsky.social · 13/06/2026
Listened to an NPR story this morning about mass child starvation in Senegal without a single mention of Elon Musk, the guy who gleefully created the conditions for the mass starvation
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RT @ryankturnbull.bsky.social · 13/06/2026
Got an email from one of the usual Residential School denialists asking for evidence for my claim in a recent article that the Anglican Church committed a genocide. How about this all party admission? www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
cbc.ca
MPs back motion calling on government to recognize residential schools program as genocide | CBC News
A House of Commons motion from NDP MP Leah Gazan calling on the federal government to recognize Canada's Indian residential schools as genocide passed through the lower chamber with unanimous consent ...
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jamelle @jamellebouie.net · 09/06/2026
wonderful piece from @clintsmithiii.bsky.social that, among other things, makes abundantly clear that pete hegseth and the trump administration are engaged in a racist purge of black officers under the belief that being black and having "merit" are mutually exclusive.
theatlantic.com
The Betrayal of Black Patriots
They devoted their lives to serving the United States. Now the nation’s top military leader is sending the message that they’re not welcome.
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