The Protestant Libertarian Podcast Ep 222: Why Christians Should Be Leftists with Phil Christman
Sep 30, 2025
Join Phil Christman, a writing professor and author of Why Christians Should Be Leftists, as he explores the surprising connection between leftist politics and Christianity. He shares his journey through leftist thought, critiques the failures of the Christian right and the Democratic Party, and discusses how the Sermon on the Mount serves as a moral foundation for social justice. Phil also tackles capitalism's dangers, the value of meaningful work, and how Christians can engage constructively with political others, urging humility over ego.
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Academic Roots And Political Shift
- Phil describes growing up Midwestern, attending Calvin College, and teaching first-year writing at the University of Michigan.
- He framed his intellectual shift toward leftist ideas through college courses and personal reading, not sudden conversion.
History Class That Changed His View
- Phil recounts ending up in a Latin American history class that overturned his prior assumptions about U.S. interventions.
- Learning about coups and the Contras made him angry at his earlier, uncritical views.
Leftism As Questioning Power
- Phil defines 'leftist' as those who question hierarchies and demand they justify themselves.
- He equates large concentrations of money with power that must also be scrutinized and justified.
