Communism’s rise began with Karl Marx, who introduced the idea of class struggle and critiqued capitalism in response to industrial-era poverty. Marx envisioned a classless society but as Ray, E.Z., Mark, and Oscar point out, his philosophy extended beyond economics—it was rooted in atheism. Oscar shares how his first introduction to atheism came through Marxist economic literature, which proposed a godless utopia. Communism eventually took root in Russia and China, spreading fear of lost democracy. The guys note that socialism is often viewed as a bridge to communism, but a pure communist society has never existed due to the corrupting nature of human power.
The conversation emphasizes that capitalism, while often defended, is not flawless either. The gospel—not any man-made system—is the only sufficient answer to the world’s brokenness. Communism mimics Christianity in its pursuit of equality but rejects God’s sovereignty and misunderstands human nature. It promotes forced sharing instead of joyful stewardship. The guys agree: any ideology that excludes God becomes idolatry, offering a counterfeit redemption story. In contrast, the gospel leads people to good works driven by love, not compulsion. Scripture affirms the dignity of work and personal responsibility.
Oscar walks through how communism promises a classless utopia but fails because of a flawed view of the human condition. Power concentrated in godless hands leads to abuse. Those at the top of communist regimes often live in luxury while preaching sacrifice. The guys stress that human-led systems can't fix spiritual problems—only Christ can. They caution against defending capitalism blindly and urge believers to examine economic systems through a gospel-centered lens, digging deep into these issues before taking a firm stance.
Mark shares a powerful story of a prisoner in a communist regime who endured torture but clung to Christ, reminding us that no one can steal what we’ve surrendered to God. E.Z. recounts seeing the effects of communism in Cuba, yet witnessing thriving Christians. The guys remind us that God’s will is unstoppable. Even in North Korea where the gospel is not easily accessed, people have found ways to evangelize. Real change won’t come through politicians or ideologies but through Jesus. Love—the fruit of the gospel—is the answer to every societal dilemma. When we walk in love, we don’t seek loopholes or act out of greed. The only true solution to both capitalism’s flaws and communism’s promises is the gospel: Christ crucified, risen, and reigning.
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Learn more about the hosts of this podcast.
Ray Comfort
Emeal (“E.Z.”) Zwayne
Mark Spence
Oscar Navarro