Queer Theology

We answer another question from Tumblr about hell, what happens after we die, and the fear and anxiety that surrounds this concept. “It’s not fair that no one knows what happens when we die until we get there and I don’t wanna suffer eternally and I want to let go of it but what if it’s real???” Tune in to know why this question hits us right in the heart and why we think most questions we receive have this underlying fear as the reason for asking. The text we queer this week is from 1 Corinthians which, by the way, is not part of the lectionary readings, but we decided to queer one that is a favorite of Brian’s. We think this passage is a great example of how scriptures are really complex and why it’s important to do the work to reinterpret, figure out what it means to us, and more. Key Takeaways: Life updates from Fr. Shay and Brian [0:54] Anonymous question from Tumblr [10:35] The questions that are interconnected, but shouldn’t be [12:21] There are more ways than one to be a Christian [13:42] What are we really living for? [14:44] Go back to love and God is LOVE [15:43] Podcast announcement [21:07]  Queering the text: 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 [22:03] Why in the world does Brian love this passage? [23:47] The Holy Spirit is inside of us [25:50] The danger of purity culture [29:58] “We belong to one another” [31:59] Link mentioned in this post: Why Did Jesus Die? – https://www.queertheology.com/whydidjesusdie/ If you want to support the Patreon and help keep the podcast up and running, you can learn more and pledge your support at patreon.com/queertheology If you’d like to be featured in future episodes, email your question or Bible passage suggestion to connect@queertheology.com  1 Corinthians 6:12-20 I have the freedom to do anything, but not everything is helpful. I have the freedom to do anything, but I won’t be controlled by anything. Food is for the stomach and the stomach is for food, and yet God will do away with both. The body isn’t for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord is for the body. God has raised the Lord and will raise us through his power. Don’t you know that your bodies are parts of Christ? So then, should I take parts of Christ and make them a part of someone who is sleeping around? No way!  Don’t you know that anyone who is joined to someone who is sleeping around is one body with that person? The scripture says, The two will become one flesh. The one who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with him. Avoid sexual immorality! Every sin that a person can do is committed outside the body, except those who engage in sexual immorality commit sin against their own bodies.  Or don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you? Don’t you know that you have the Holy Spirit from God, and you don’t belong to yourselves? You have been bought and paid for, so honor God with your body. Photo by Shane Rounce The post Don’t You Know That You Don’t Belong To Yourself? – 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 appeared first on Queer Theology.

In this episode, we respond to an anonymous question from Tumblr asking for a queer-friendly Bible version that they can read. This person has felt rejected by faith for a long time now and would like to kick-start their start-over journey with a new Bible. Tune in to hear what we suggest. We then queered the text from Mark where John and James asked Jesus, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask.” Then they asked to be seated in the best seats beside Jesus in heaven. We share why we think Jesus’ death should be seen as a demand from God to liberate people. Fr. Shay also shares why he loves this text, so make sure you listen to this week’s episode. Key Takeaways: Fr. Shay: weather, exercise, and books [0:36] Brian: accepting how the weather changes affect his body and mind [2:47] Anonymous question from Tumblr [6:51] Brian’s suggestion [7:23] Why is this a complicated question? [9:35] Here’s why they don’t recommend a study Bible [10:52] Special announcement!!! [12:38] Queering the text: Mark 10:35-45 [13:45] Why Fr. Shay loves this text [14:53] Is this a supernatural concern? [18:12] Links mentioned in this episode: Course: Journey into the Bible – https://www.queertheology.com/journey/ Article: Walking Toward Resurrection – https://go.queertheology.com/resurrection Devotional: Queer the Word: 40-day devotional – https://www.queertheology.com/devotional/ Video: How to vet resources – link TBA Free Workshop: Why Did Jesus Die? – https://www.queertheology.com/whydidjesusdie/   If you want to support the Patreon and help keep the podcast up and running, you can learn more and pledge your support at patreon.com/queertheology If you’d like to be featured in future episodes, email your question or Bible passage suggestion to connect@queertheology.com  Mark 10:35-45 James and John, Zebedee’s sons, came to Jesus and said, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask.” “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. They said, “Allow one of us to sit on your right and the other on your left when you enter your glory.” Jesus replied, “You don’t know what you’re asking! Can you drink the cup I drink or receive the baptism I receive?” “We can,” they answered. Jesus said, “You will drink the cup I drink and receive the baptism I receive, but to sit at my right or left hand isn’t mine to give. It belongs to those for whom it has been prepared.” Now when the other ten disciples heard about this, they became angry with James and John. Jesus called them over and said, “You know that the ones who are considered the rulers by the Gentiles show off their authority over them and their high-ranking officials order them around. But that’s not the way it will be with you. Whoever wants to be great among you will be your servant. Whoever wants to be first among you will be the slave of all, for the Human One didn’t come to be served but rather to serve and to give his life to liberate many people.”  Photo by Ehimetalor Akhere Unuabona The post Movement Is Messy – Mark 10:35-45 appeared first on Queer Theology.

This week we received more of a comment from a Tumblr follower who wanted to say thanks for our article about LGBTQ kids with unaffirming parents. While there was no question asked, we wanted to share more information about the topic and the article. “…Thank you for all your resources because I’m struggling a lot with what being genderfluid means for my relationship with God and the church and my mum keeps outing me and your resources are a reminder it’s ok to be me and still be Christian.”  We also queered the text from Mark that talks about eternal life. In this text, Jesus was asked by a man what he must do to obtain eternal life. Jesus then tells his disciples,  “It will be very hard for the wealthy to enter God’s kingdom!” Tune in to hear what Brian and Fr. Shay think about the concept of eternal life and their very different views about it. Key Takeaways: Belated Happy Birthday, Fr. Shay! [0:44] More thoughts about age from Brian [3:06] We received a thank you message from Tumblr [7:59] Why is it hard for people close to queer folks to set boundaries? [9:36] Your inherent goodness is not directly related to how your parents or family accept or affirm you [11:27] Why setting boundaries is so personal [13:48] Queering the text: Mark 10:17-31 [15:34] Why is this a complicated text [17:28] Eternal life concept is harmful [19:14] How “eternal life” resonates with Brian [21:34] Links mentioned in this episode: To LGBTQ Kids with Unaffirming Parents: You Deserve Better – read it here Article for parents with LGBTQ children – click here If you want to support the Patreon and help keep the podcast up and running, you can learn more and pledge your support at patreon.com/queertheology If you’d like to be featured in future episodes, email your question or Bible passage suggestion to connect@queertheology.com  Mark 10:17-31 As Jesus continued down the road, a man ran up, knelt before him, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to obtain eternal life?” Jesus replied, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except the one God. You know the commandments: Don’t commit murder. Don’t commit adultery. Don’t steal. Don’t give false testimony. Don’t cheat. Honor your father and mother.” “Teacher,” he responded, “I’ve kept all of these things since I was a boy.” Jesus looked at him carefully and loved him. He said, “You are lacking one thing. Go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor. Then you will have treasure in heaven. And come, follow me.” But the man was dismayed at this statement and went away saddened, because he had many possessions. Looking around, Jesus said to his disciples, “It will be very hard for the wealthy to enter God’s kingdom!” His words startled the disciples, so Jesus told them again, “Children, it’s difficult to enter God’s kingdom! It’s easier for a camel to squeeze through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter God’s kingdom.” They were shocked even more and said to each other, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them carefully and said, “It’s impossible with human beings, but not with God. All things are possible for God.” Peter said to him, “Look, we’ve left everything and followed you.” Jesus said, “I assure you that anyone who has left house, brothers, sisters, mother, father, children, or farms because of me and because of the good news will receive one hundred times as much now in this life—houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and farms (with harassment)—and in the coming age, eternal life. But many who are first will be last. And many who are last will be first.” Photo by Jeremy Perkins The post Get A Little Taste of Eternal Life – Mark 10:17-31 appeared first on Queer Theology.

In this episode, we answer another anonymous question from a Tumblr follower who used to veil a lot before knowing that they are nonbinary. This listener is conflicted as veiling is something they are called to in terms of spiritual practice but felt wrong doing so since they are more trans masculine than anything else. “Would it be wrong of me to veil/do you have advice dealing with traditionally gendered beliefs and practices as a nonbinary person?” We then queer the text from Genesis, where Brian dives deeper into what the Eden story means for him and how he understands it as a queer person. Fr. Shay also discusses how this text is more of a myth than history – that folks should not treat it as “fact,” especially when categorizing and representing gender and sexuality.   Key Takeaways: Brian life update [0:37] Fr. Shay life update [8:01] Anonymous question from Tumblr about veiling [10:48] The different layers to this listener question [11:24] A real-life gender-specific tradition experienced by Fr. Shay [12:23] What does feel right to you? [13:29] Queering the text: Genesis 2:18-24 [15:23] Why is this passage one of Brian’s favorites [16:27] What “it’s not good for humans to be alone” means for queer folks [19:56] The story is mythology and not history [23:15] Pay attention to how we are shaped from gender and sexuality myths that we were told growing up [24:46] Video mentioned in the episode: https://www.queertheology.com/garden-of-eden/ If you want to support the Patreon and help keep the podcast up and running, you can learn more and pledge your support at patreon.com/queertheology If you’d like to be featured in future episodes, email your question or Bible passage suggestion to connect@queertheology.com  Genesis 2:18-24 Then the Lord God said, “It’s not good that the human is alone. I will make him a helper that is perfect for him.” So the Lord God formed from the fertile land all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky and brought them to the human to see what he would name them. The human gave each living being its name. The human named all the livestock, all the birds in the sky, and all the wild animals. But a helper perfect for him was nowhere to be found. So the Lord God put the human into a deep and heavy sleep, and took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh over it. With the rib taken from the human, the Lord God fashioned a woman and brought her to the human being. The human said, “This one finally is bone from my bones         and flesh from my flesh. She will be called a woman         because from a man she was taken.” This is the reason that a man leaves his father and mother and embraces his wife, and they become one flesh. Photo by Nick Karvounis The post Mythology vs. History – Genesis 2:18-24 appeared first on Queer Theology.

In this episode, we answer another anonymous question from Tumblr about the Christian perspective of abortion. “I only ever heard Christian leaders condemn it, even relatively progressive ones, so I was wondering if there was a way to look at it differently?” This is a particularly sensitive, yet interesting question so make sure you tune in for our answers.  We also queered the text from Mark that’s been used as a way to “ward off” queer folks from straight people. We chat about how Christianity takes Bible passages like these very literally when in fact, Jesus was being hyperbolic. So listen for what we believe it means and who really is being convicted here. Key Takeaways: Life and Danish updates from Brian [0:42] Fr. Shay and his book reading goals [4:09] Anonymous question from Tumblr about abortion [7:27] Learn more about Reproductive Justice at https://rcrc.org/ [8:21] How reproductive justice is also a queer issue [9:54] When Christianity emotionally manipulates [12:00] Queering the text: Mark 9:38-50 [13:29] Jesus is being hyperbolic and what the passage really says [15:57] Who is being convicted in this passage, really? [17:34] Here are some organizations providing information and resources about abortion as well as protection and access to it: Lilith Fund – https://www.instagram.com/lilithfund/ Texas Equal Access Fund – https://www.instagram.com/teafund/ Buckle Bunnies – https://www.instagram.com/bucklebunniesfundtx/ The Afiya Center – https://www.instagram.com/theafiyacenter/ Jane’s Due Process – https://www.instagram.com/janesdueprocess/ If you want to support the Patreon and help keep the podcast up and running, you can learn more and pledge your support at patreon.com/queertheology If you’d like to be featured in future episodes, email your question or Bible passage suggestion to connect@queertheology.com  Mark 9:38-50 John said to Jesus, “Teacher, we saw someone throwing demons out in your name, and we tried to stop him because he wasn’t following us.” Jesus replied, “Don’t stop him. No one who does powerful acts in my name can quickly turn around and curse me. Whoever isn’t against us is for us. I assure you that whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will certainly be rewarded. “As for whoever causes these little ones who believe in me to trip and fall into sin, it would be better for them to have a huge stone hung around their necks and to be thrown into the lake. If your hand causes you to fall into sin, chop it off. It’s better for you to enter into life crippled than to go away with two hands into the fire of hell, which can’t be put out. If your foot causes you to fall into sin, chop it off. It’s better for you to enter life lame than to be thrown into hell with two feet. If your eye causes you to fall into sin, tear it out. It’s better for you to enter God’s kingdom with one eye than to be thrown into hell with two. That’s a place where worms don’t die and the fire never goes out. Everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good; but if salt loses its saltiness, how will it become salty again? Maintain salt among yourselves and keep peace with each other.” Photo by Taras Chernus The post To Disrupt the People is To Disrupt God – Mark 9:38-50 appeared first on Queer Theology.

Today, we answer a question from Tumblr that is filled with hopelessness and exhaustion. Coming from a lesbian and Black person, we understand the gravity of the question and where this person is coming from. “The past year has given me nothing but existential dread. I feel like life is a joke and that even if the bible says God loves us, and despite offering an oasis of relief for a while, he’s just going to smack me down straight to hell in the end. Why trust love?” If you ever feel the same, we hope our answer to the question will be helpful.  Then we queered the text from Mark that talks about Jesus teaching his disciples, “Whoever wants to be first must be least of all and the servant of all.” It basically ties into our previous episode about taking your time to know yourself before jumping into leadership.  Key Takeaways: Fall update from Fr. Shay and Brian [1:04] Anonymous question from Tumblr that is filled with exhaustion [6:07] Be gentle with yourself and pay attention to what’s working [8:10] The punitive theological system makes it worse [9:35] Love Wins by Rob Bell [10:51] Queering the text: Mark 9:30-37 [13:04] Take your time to figure out who you are [15:07] God is NOT in the seat of power [16:51] Links mentioned in the podcast: Self-care – https://www.queertheology.com/selfcare/ A Depressed Prophet – https://www.queertheology.com/podcast/a-depressed-prophet-1-kings-199-14/ Why Did Jesus Die? – https://www.queertheology.com/whydidjesusdie/ If you want to support the Patreon and help keep the podcast up and running, you can learn more and pledge your support at patreon.com/queertheology If you’d like to be featured in future episodes, email your question or Bible passage suggestion to connect@queertheology.com Mark 9:30-37 From there Jesus and his followers went through Galilee, but he didn’t want anyone to know it. This was because he was teaching his disciples, “The Human One[a] will be delivered into human hands. They will kill him. Three days after he is killed he will rise up.” But they didn’t understand this kind of talk, and they were afraid to ask him. They entered Capernaum. When they had come into a house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about during the journey?” They didn’t respond, since on the way they had been debating with each other about who was the greatest. He sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them, “Whoever wants to be first must be least of all and the servant of all.” Jesus reached for a little child, placed him among the Twelve, and embraced him. Then he said, “Whoever welcomes one of these children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me isn’t actually welcoming me but rather the one who sent me.” Photo by Sophia H. Gue The post Be One With The Marginalized – Mark 9:30-37 appeared first on Queer Theology.

In this episode, we answer a question from Tumblr needing help finding proof that they can share with their mother. The follower wants to help their mother come around to the idea that one’s sexual or gender orientation is not a condemnation to hell. “Do you guys have any ideas on verses, passages, or stories with which I can prove to my mom that anyone ‘living a gay lifestyle’ (her choice of words, not mine) can still go to heaven?”  We then queer the text from James that practically says that you don’t have to be the teacher or leader or spokesperson for the community right off the bat. This goes especially to those who recently come out or those who feel burdened to carry the flag and teach the world about queerness. Remember that you are still in the process of getting to know your identity more. So just let those who have come before you do the work first and, until you are ready to lead, take the backseat and figure out who you are first. Key Takeaways: What’s going on with Brian and Fr. Shay? [0:40] Listener question from Tumblr asking for any Biblical proof that queer folks can still go to heaven [9:31] Why Fr. Shay thinks this is a hard question to answer [10:13] What queer history has taught us about finding the “right” passage [12:33] More about the Soul Safe workshop [15:22] Queering the text: James 3:1-12 [18:07] Why Brian associates this text with the social media platform: Twitter [19:36] The importance of learning when to be a student, leader, teacher, volunteer, etc. [23:19] The impulse to become a leader [24:41] Links and video mentioned in the podcast: Fire Island video: https://www.queertheology.com/queer-sacred-sites/ Brian talks about Leviticus for 3 hours with a Baptist preacher, click here to see what he learned Check out the Soul Safe Online workshop: https://go.queertheology.com/soul-safe/   If you want to support the Patreon and help keep the podcast up and running, you can learn more and pledge your support at patreon.com/queertheology If you’d like to be featured in future episodes, email your question or Bible passage suggestion to connect@queertheology.com  James 3:1-12 ​​My brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers, because we know that we teachers will be judged more strictly. We all make mistakes often, but those who don’t make mistakes with their words have reached full maturity. Like a bridled horse, they can control themselves entirely. When we bridle horses and put bits in their mouths to lead them wherever we want, we can control their whole bodies.   Consider ships: They are so large that strong winds are needed to drive them. But pilots direct their ships wherever they want with a little rudder. In the same way, even though the tongue is a small part of the body, it boasts wildly.   Think about this: A small flame can set a whole forest on fire. The tongue is a small flame of fire, a world of evil at work in us. It contaminates our entire lives. Because of it, the circle of life is set on fire. The tongue itself is set on fire by the flames of hell.   People can tame and already have tamed every kind of animal, bird, reptile, and fish. 8 No one can tame the tongue, though. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we both bless the Lord and Father and curse human beings made in God’s likeness. Blessing and cursing come from the same mouth. My brothers and sisters, it just shouldn’t be this way!   Both fresh water and salt water don’t come from the same spring, do they? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree produce olives? Can a grapevine produce figs? Of course not, and fresh water doesn’t flow from a saltwater spring either. Photo by Kunal Goswami The post Take Your Time To Figure Out Who You Are First – James 3:1-12 appeared first on Queer Theology.

We are back from the Summer Series and we hope you enjoyed the throwback of some of our (and our listeners’) favorites. If you haven’t listened to any of our Summer Series episodes, feel free to go back and give them a listen!  In today’s episode, we answer a listener question asking for any reference about the LGBTQ community or maybe about loving someone of the same gender in the Bible. Here’s why the listener asked: “My friend is having a debate with another person about it and my friend is trying to showcase the LGBTQ community in a positive light.” We actually have a short answer to wrap this question up, so make sure you tune in. As usual, we took a queer look at the text from Proverbs 22, which basically talks about the importance of being good. Simply being good and not harvesting evil. Additionally, Fr. Shay and Brian explain what having a good reputation really is and not the ones we grew up on when we were younger.  Key Takeaways: Update on Fr. Shay and Brian’s lives since their last regular episode [1:00] Listener question: reference from the Bible that says anything negative and positive about the LGBTQ community? [6:27] Brian’s quick answer [6:56] What do we do with clobber passages? [8:40] Queering the Bible: Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23 [11:00] Why Brian appreciates this text [11:58] What jumps out for Fr. Shay [14:32] A progressive follower is harder [16:30] Diving deeper into “good reputation” [17:49] Link mentioned in this episode: Check out the Clobbering the Clobber Passages workshop – click here If you want to support the Patreon and help keep the podcast up and running, you can learn more and pledge your support at patreon.com/queertheology If you’d like to be featured in future episodes, email your question or Bible passage suggestion to connect@queertheology.com  Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23 A good reputation is better than much wealth;     high esteem is better than silver and gold. The rich and the poor have this in common:     the Lord made them both.   Those who sow injustice will harvest evil;     the rod of their fury will come to an end.  Happy are generous people,     because they give some of their food to the poor.   Don’t steal from the poor, because they are poor.     Don’t oppress the needy in the gate.  The Lord will take up their case     and press the life out of those who oppress them. Photo by Àlex Rodriguez The post Do You Have a Good Reputation? – Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23 appeared first on Queer Theology.

In this exciting episode, Brian and Fr. Shay interview Elle Dowd, author of the kick-ass book Baptized in Tear Gas. In this interview, Elle shares the story of what ignited her passions, the protests that she joined and what they taught her, how her activism and faith have merged, and so much more! Tune in to learn more about her book and how it came to be. Elle Dowd (she/her/hers) is a bi-furious recent graduate of the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago and a candidate for ordained ministry in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.  Elle has pieces of her heart in Sierra Leone, where her two children were born and in St. Louis where she learned from the radical, queer, Black leadership during the Ferguson Uprising.  She was formerly a co-conspirator with the movement to #decolonizeLutheranism and currently serves as a board member of the Euro-Descent Lutheran Association for Racial Justice, does community organizing in her city as a board member of SOUL, serves on the Clergy Advocacy Board for Planned Parenthood, writes regularly as part of the vision team for the Disrupt Worship Project, and facilitates workshops in both secular conferences and Christian spaces. She is publishing a book with Broadleaf, Baptized in Teargas, about her conversion from a white moderate to an abolitionist which will be released on August 10 and is available for pre-order now.  To get in touch with Elle and to keep up with updates, you can visit her website www.elledowd.com and subscribe to her newsletter. You can also see her online ministry via Facebook.com/elledowdministry  or follow her on Twitter/SnapChat/Insta @hownowbrowndowd or on TikTok @elledowdministry And pre-order her book Baptized in Tear Gas: From White Moderate to Abolitionist here: https://bit.ly/2YICjBf Highlight in this episode: Let’s learn more about who Elle is [0:50] How her faith and activism came together [7:04]  Do you need to move from the suburbs to a city to be involved? [18:47] Elle’s advice to anyone who wants to get involved [24:00] What do you do when you f***ed up? [26:30]   What are the ways in which joy has shaped Elle’s faith and activism? [32:12] Where can you find Elle’s book and where can you connect with her? [37:27] Rapid-fire questions! [39:22] If you want to support the Patreon and help keep the podcast up and running, you can learn more and pledge your support at patreon.com/queertheology If you’d like to be featured in future episodes, email your question or Bible passage suggestion to connect@queertheology.com The post Baptized in Tear Gas an interview with Elle Dowd appeared first on Queer Theology.

And just like that our Summer Series has ended and we are ending it with the most popular episode from 2016! This episode emphasizes the amazingness that can flow from queerness. We explore queer magic and invite you to be bolder and go deeper in your queer journey. In what ways might you be holding yourself back and in what ways might God be inviting you to use your gifts to serve the world?  2 Timothy 1:6-14 Because of this, I’m reminding you to revive God’s gift that is in you through the laying on of my hands. God didn’t give us a spirit that is timid but one that is powerful, loving, and self-controlled. So don’t be ashamed of the testimony about the Lord or of me, his prisoner. Instead, share the suffering for the good news, depending on God’s power. 9 God is the one who saved and called us with a holy calling. This wasn’t based on what we have done, but it was based on his own purpose and grace that he gave us in Christ Jesus before time began. Now his grace is revealed through the appearance of our savior, Christ Jesus. He destroyed death and brought life and immortality into clear focus through the good news. I was appointed a messenger, apostle, and teacher of this good news. This is also why I’m suffering the way I do, but I’m not ashamed. I know the one in whom I’ve placed my trust. I’m convinced that God is powerful enough to protect what he has placed in my trust until that day. Hold on to the pattern of sound teaching that you heard from me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Protect this good thing that has been placed in your trust through the Holy Spirit who lives in us. If you want to support the Patreon and help keep the podcast up and running, you can learn more and pledge your support at patreon.com/queertheology. If you’d like to be featured in future episodes, email your question or Bible passage suggestion to connect@queertheology.com. Photo by Baptista Ime James The post God did not give you a spirit of timidity! [Summer Series] appeared first on Queer Theology.