August 17, 2026 – This Week’s Episode
Episode #85, John Dear with David Beckmann on Abolishing Poverty
On today’s new episode of “The Nonviolent Jesus Podcast,” John Dear speaks with David Beckmann, former president of Bread for the World, one of the best groups fighting poverty in the world (www.bread.org). His many books include: Eden Revival; The Overseas List; Grace at the Table; Exodus from Hunger, and his latest book, “Poverty Abolitionists: Faith, activism, and Hope for Difficult Times. (See: www.davidbeckmann.org)
“In recent decades the world has made dramatic progress against poverty,” David says. “But now, the second Trump administration has pushed that progress into full reverse. I’m so appalled that we are systematically dismantling things that are important to the poor in the U.S. and the world. It’s certainly possible to end poverty where starvation and malnutrition exist. We don’t have to have millions of kids go without food in the U.S., yet we do.
“The most progressive community in the U.S. are atheists – they are not waiting for God to solve the world’s problems. Our hope is built on Jesus’ promise of the kingdom of God, but we have to do our share and advocate for justice and an end to poverty,” he says.
In the end, he calls us to “seek and form loving, justice-seeking churches; to think critically about our faith and the work to end poverty; and to open our hearts to God’s universal, forgiving love. Those who imagine a loving, forgiving God—not a violent, punishing god–are more inclined to work for justice and the end of poverty.” Listen in and be inspired to join the movement to abolish poverty! God bless you!
August 10, 2026 – This Week’s Episode
Episode #84, John Dear on Blessed Franz Jagerstatter, anti-war martyr
On today’s new episode of “The Nonviolent Jesus Podcast,” John Dear reflects on the life and death of anti-war martyr, Blessed Franz Jagerstatter
On today’s new episode of “The Nonviolent Jesus Podcast,” John Dear reflects on Franz Jagerstatter, one of the most important saints in history. In the late 1970s, he learned about Franz. He was amazed by the story of a young Austrian farmer, born on May 20, 1907, who in 1936 married Franziska, the local sacristan at their church in St. Radegund. Franziska was a saint, and so he tried to become one, too. Together, they inspired John.
When the Nazis invaded Austria in 1938, nearly everyone in Austria supported the Nazis. In February 1943, Franz received a letter ordering him to turn himself in and join the Nazi military, where he would be sent off to the Russian front. He went and spoke with several priests and even the bishop. Each one of them said it was his duty as a Catholic to fight for Hitler. But what about Jesus? he asked them. So Franz refused to fight, was arrested, imprisoned, taken to Berlin, brought before the Nazi high court, condemned to death for “undermining military morale,” and beheaded on August 9, 1943.
John’s been studying him for decades, and in the 1990s, became friends with Franziska and the family. In this episode, he’ll reflect on Franz and Franziska, his beatification in Austria, and some concluding lessons, which we hope will encourage you in your own commitment to the nonviolent Jesus.
In particular, Franz demonstrates a new political mysticism, a sanctity that is a threat to empire and the culture of war. This needs to become the new norm, as it was in the early Church, John Dear suggests. “As a Christian, I prefer to do my fighting with the Word of God and not with arms,” Franz wrote from prison. “We need no rifles or pistols for our battle, but instead spiritual weapons—and the foremost among these is prayer…Let us love our enemies, bless those who curse us, pray for those who persecute us. For love will conquer and will endure for all eternity. And happy are they who live and die in God’s love.” Listen in and be inspired! God bless you!
Upcoming Zoom Programs:
AUG
22
11 am PT / 2pm ET
Todd Walatka on Saint Oscar Romero’s Prophetic Voice for Peace
SEP
19
John Dear’s new book
Universal Love:
Surrendering to the God of Peace
By John Dear
For more information, click here
Available from www.orbisbooks.com or call 1-800-258-5838, or Amazon.com
August 17, 2026 – This Week’s Episode
Episode #85, John Dear with David Beckmann on Abolishing Poverty
On today’s new episode of “The Nonviolent Jesus Podcast,” John Dear speaks with David Beckmann, former president of Bread for the World, one of the best groups fighting poverty in the world (www.bread.org). His many books include: Eden Revival; The Overseas List; Grace at the Table; Exodus from Hunger, and his latest book, “Poverty Abolitionists: Faith, activism, and Hope for Difficult Times. (See: www.davidbeckmann.org)“In recent decades the world has made dramatic progress against poverty,” David says. “But now, the second Trump administration has pushed that progress into full reverse. I’m so appalled that we are systematically dismantling things that are important to the poor in the U.S. and the world. It’s certainly possible to end poverty where starvation and malnutrition exist. We don’t have to have millions of kids go without food in the U.S., yet we do.
“The most progressive community in the U.S. are atheists – they are not waiting for God to solve the world’s problems. Our hope is built on Jesus’ promise of the kingdom of God, but we have to do our share and advocate for justice and an end to poverty,” he says.
In the end, he calls us to “seek and form loving, justice-seeking churches; to think critically about our faith and the work to end poverty; and to open our hearts to God’s universal, forgiving love. Those who imagine a loving, forgiving God—not a violent, punishing god–are more inclined to work for justice and the end of poverty.” Listen in and be inspired to join the movement to abolish poverty! God bless you!
Listen on Apple, Spotify, all major platforms,
and the National Catholic Reporter
August 10, 2026 – This Week’s Episode
Episode #84, John Dear on Blessed Franz Jagerstatter, anti-war martyr
On today’s new episode of “The Nonviolent Jesus Podcast,” John Dear reflects on the life and death of anti-war martyr, Blessed Franz Jagerstatter
On today’s new episode of “The Nonviolent Jesus Podcast,” John Dear reflects on Franz Jagerstatter, one of the most important saints in history. In the late 1970s, he learned about Franz. He was amazed by the story of a young Austrian farmer, born on May 20, 1907, who in 1936 married Franziska, the local sacristan at their church in St. Radegund. Franziska was a saint, and so he tried to become one, too. Together, they inspired John.
When the Nazis invaded Austria in 1938, nearly everyone in Austria supported the Nazis. In February 1943, Franz received a letter ordering him to turn himself in and join the Nazi military, where he would be sent off to the Russian front. He went and spoke with several priests and even the bishop. Each one of them said it was his duty as a Catholic to fight for Hitler. But what about Jesus? he asked them. So Franz refused to fight, was arrested, imprisoned, taken to Berlin, brought before the Nazi high court, condemned to death for “undermining military morale,” and beheaded on August 9, 1943.
John’s been studying him for decades, and in the 1990s, became friends with Franziska and the family. In this episode, he’ll reflect on Franz and Franziska, his beatification in Austria, and some concluding lessons, which we hope will encourage you in your own commitment to the nonviolent Jesus.
In particular, Franz demonstrates a new political mysticism, a sanctity that is a threat to empire and the culture of war. This needs to become the new norm, as it was in the early Church, John Dear suggests. “As a Christian, I prefer to do my fighting with the Word of God and not with arms,” Franz wrote from prison. “We need no rifles or pistols for our battle, but instead spiritual weapons—and the foremost among these is prayer…Let us love our enemies, bless those who curse us, pray for those who persecute us. For love will conquer and will endure for all eternity. And happy are they who live and die in God’s love.” Listen in and be inspired! God bless you!
Listen on Apple, Spotify, all major platforms,
and the National Catholic Reporter