Recently, a friend of mine asked if she could be a Christian and a communist since its repelling forces. It is a valid question and one which strikes at the intersection of faith and ideology, of gospel and governance. At first glance, the concepts seem diametrically opposed. Christianity emphasises spiritual salvation, personal morality, and the authority of divine revelation, while communism, particularly in its Marxist-Leninist forms, is historically associated with materialism, atheism, and a revolutionary critique of religion. However, the answer to this question is neither simple nor binary. Christianity, particularly in its early expressions, bears a surprising resemblance to what some would identify as communistic practice. The Book of Acts recounts that the early Christian community in Jerusalem “had all things in common; they sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need” (Acts 2:44–45). This radical sharing of wealth was not imposed by the state, but cho...