Queer Theology

As we celebrate this year’s Holy Week in the safe confines of our bubbles, we will be sharing resources throughout the week for you to include in your observance. We know it’s difficult to celebrate Holy Week away from your community or congregation, but there are tons of online gatherings that will connect us in the meantime. We wish everyone a happy, blessed, and safe Palm Sunday.  Key takeaways: Part 2 of the 2-week Queer Theology podcast special [1:11] Will intellectual arguments alone heal queer people? [2:20] Watch out for a whole bunch of resources coming your way throughout the Holy Week [4:26] What is Palm Sunday and how is it a protest? [7:29] Links Mentioned: Queer The Bible 7-Day Instagram Challenge The Politics of Palm Sunday Holy Week : Palm Sunday: What Happened and What Does It Mean Maundy Thursday: Queering the Last Supper Good Friday: Why Did Jesus Die? Saturday: Is God Dead Today? Sunday: Do You Believe In The Resurrection? 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 Brady Leavell The post Palm Sunday: A Queer Reflection appeared first on Queer Theology.

It’s been a year since the pandemic shut the world and we’ve all been anxiously waiting for the curtains to unveil what might be in our future. It was also a year ago when Brian interviewed Rev. Jonathan Vanderbeck on Facebook to talk about handling anxiety and what that means for queer folks during the pandemic. Tune in to hear what Rev. Jonathan says about anxiety 1 year into this pandemic. The Rev. Jonathan Vanderbeck, LCSW (he/they) is an ordained minister in the Reformed Church in America, the oldest Protestant denomination in the United States, where he was the first openly gay, person-of-color ordained in his denomination, and is also a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of New York. They currently serve at the Interim Transitional Minister at Messiah Lutheran Church in Rotterdam, NY, and are also in practice at the Samaritan Counseling Center in Scotia. He has received extensive training in Bowen Family Systems Theory and is passionate about working with individuals and couples from a systemic perspective, working to help others see the anxiety around them. When they’re not working (and it’s not a global pandemic) you can find them drinking coffee at a coffee shop (extra dry cappuccino), cooking an elaborate meal, or hiking in the Adirondack mountains. Key takeaways: Brian’s bike update [0:47] Highly recommended: Judas and the Black Messiah [3:36] Introducing our special guest for today [8:18] Practices that hold true 1 year since the pandemic started [11:14] Acute and chronic anxiety [14:17] Ways to recognize that chronic anxiety is taking a toll [19:19] How folks can get help [25:48] Having queer phobic people in our lives, what to do? [35:27] Are we all “swimming” in anxiety? [39:25] What Rev. Jonathan is mindful of [42:02] For queer people, this is for you [45:01] What should we be mindful of [50:00] Be gentle with yourself and others [54:08] 2020 Anxiety talk with Rev. Jonathan Vanderbeck – click here to watch it Rev. Jonathan Vanderbeck’s email: revjonathan16@gmail.com 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 COVID Self-Care: One Year Later with Rev. Jonathan Vanderbeck, LCSW appeared first on Queer Theology.

In this episode, we share a quick 365-day reflection from when the lockdown started. How are things going and what does the future look like? Watch out for next week’s episode where we talk to Rev. Jonathan on more ways to survive and thrive. We answer a question from a Sanctuary Collective member asking for our thoughts regarding Nan C. Merrill’s Psalms for Praying: An Invitation to Wholeness line which says, “My soul is being consumed with an intense longing to be blessed and sustained by You, O Divine Lover!” Tune in as we consider how sex and intimacy can be uncovered as we discuss the Divine. We queered the text from John 3:14-21 which holds one of the most, if not the most famous verse in the Bible. But we talk more about darkness and light, people’s actions and how complicated they are.  Key takeaways: Sense of grief, depression, and frustration over the length of the pandemic [1:59] Remember the moments of possibility [8:19] Sanctuary Collective member question [10:31] Find your own sacred connections [11:49] The church being the bride of Christ [13:12] Everyone struggles with sex and intimacy [17:14] Queering the text from John [18:33] Darkness and light is complicated [20:15] There are things that are evil in the world [21:50] To heal, things need to be public [23:00] You might be rejected for your queerness, but it’s not on you [24:36] On accepting scripture at face value [26:38] 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  John 3:14-21 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so must the Human One be lifted up so that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life. God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him won’t perish but will have eternal life. God didn’t send his Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him isn’t judged; whoever doesn’t believe in him is already judged, because they don’t believe in the name of God’s only Son. “This is the basis for judgment: The light came into the world, and people loved darkness more than the light, for their actions are evil. All who do wicked things hate the light and don’t come to the light for fear that their actions will be exposed to the light. Whoever does the truth comes to the light so that it can be seen that their actions were done in God.” Photo by Daniele D’Andreti The post Divine Lover – John 3:14-21 appeared first on Queer Theology.

In today’s episode, we answered a question from one of our Sanctuary Collective members about the Bible and how some use the Old Testament to promote abusive behaviors. “How do we call out Christians or Jews who use the OT to promote abusive behavior by individuals or nations without being anti Semitic?” Tune in to find out what we think about having to call out other groups.  We also queered the text from Exodus which most, if not all of our listeners are familiar with. It’s the text that talks about and enumerates the 10 commandments. It nicely ties up to the question we answered in today’s episode as well.  Key takeaways: Fr. Shay reflecting on the changes that the pandemic has brought [0:58] Brian and Lent [3:20]  Question from a Sanctuary Collective member about how the Old Testament is being used to promote abusive behavior [8:54] On homophobia and genocide in Hebrew scripture [11:34] Why do we need to call out others instead of calling out our own people? [14:41] Criticizing unfairly [17:26] Queering the text: Exodus 20:1-17 [19:37] All of the 10 commandments still make sense [21:33] A more holistic approach [25:00] The importance of understanding the context [27:02] How we typically read the text [27:42] Links mentioned in this episode: How to read the Bible – join the waitlist here All Theology Is Contextual – watch the video and read the article here Book mentioned:  The Bible With and Without Jesus by Amy-Jill Levine and Marc Brettler Rabbis: Rabbi Ruti Regan – https://twitter.com/RutiRegan Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg – https://twitter.com/TheRaDR Rabbi Sandra Lawson – https://twitter.com/rabbisandra 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    Exodus 20:1-17 Then God spoke all these words:   I am the Lord your God who brought you out of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.   You must have no other gods before me.   Do not make an idol for yourself—no form whatsoever—of anything in the sky above or on the earth below or in the waters under the earth. Do not bow down to them or worship them, because I, the Lord your God, am a passionate God. I punish children for their parents’ sins even to the third and fourth generations of those who hate me. But I am loyal and gracious to the thousandth generation of those who love me and keep my commandments.   Do not use the Lord your God’s name as if it were of no significance; the Lord won’t forgive anyone who uses his name that way.   Remember the Sabbath day and treat it as holy. Six days you may work and do all your tasks, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. Do not do any work on it—not you, your sons or daughters, your male or female servants, your animals, or the immigrant who is living with you. Because the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and everything that is in them in six days, but rested on the seventh day. That is why the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.   Honor your father and your mother so that your life will be long on the fertile land that the Lord your God is giving you.   Do not kill.   Do not commit adultery.   Do not steal.   Do not testify falsely against your neighbor.   Do not desire and try to take your neighbor’s house. Do not desire and try to take your neighbor’s wife, male or female servant, ox, donkey, or anything else that belongs to your neighbor.   Photo by Levi Meir Clancy The post Queering the 10 Commandments – Exodus 20:1-17 appeared first on Queer Theology.

The question we received from Tumblr felt like it was created for Brian as he’s our resident expert on polyamory: “My partner and I are considering opening up our relationship due to differences in sex drive. I’m worried about the religious stuff surrounding that. Does the Bible say anything about polyamory?” Tune in to find out more about what the Bible says about polyamory. We also queered the text from Genesis and we can see queerness all over it. From the fact that God allows changing of names such as that of Abraham and Sarah, to showcasing the greatness of our lineage. This text shows where all of us came from and there’s so much holiness in it that no one can deny. Key takeaways: The feeling of “normalcy” for Brian [0:43] Fr. Shay and his time at his church is coming to an end real fast [5:50] Question from Tumblr [11:15] Polyamory, monogamy and the Bible [11:58] Looking at the Bible through a polyamory lens[14:22] Queering the text: Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16 [16:21] Transgender and this text [17:45]  How the narrative form of the Bible affects how we understand the passages [20:33] Queers have always been here [23:33] Holiness is part of our lineage [25:10] Links mentioned in this episode: Polyamory & Christianity Tricky Questions About Sex 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 17:1-7, 15-16 When Abram was 99 years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am El Shaddai. Walk with me and be trustworthy. I will make a covenant between us and I will give you many, many descendants.” Abram fell on his face, and God said to him, “But me, my covenant is with you; you will be the ancestor of many nations. And because I have made you the ancestor of many nations, your name will no longer be Abram but Abraham. I will make you very fertile. I will produce nations from you, and kings will come from you. I will set up my covenant with you and your descendants after you in every generation as an enduring covenant. I will be your God and your descendants’ God after you. God said to Abraham, “As for your wife Sarai, you will no longer call her Sarai. Her name will now be Sarah. I will bless her and even give you a son from her. I will bless her so that she will become nations, and kings of peoples will come from her.” Photo by Jennifer-Ann Coffin-Grey The post Walk Into Your New Name – Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16 appeared first on Queer Theology.

In today’s episode, we answered a question from a listener about the Rapture and how we feel about it. “Do you ever get freaked out by the Rapture? I heard that it basically starts next year and it freaks me out a lot. What are your beliefs on the Rapture?” Tune in to listen to our answer. We think a lot of you will be able to relate.  We also queered a text from 1 Peter that tells us that God is NOT some bully in heaven who wanted Jesus to suffer and die. It gives us reassurance that salvation comes through the resurrection.  Key takeaways: Brian and Fr. Shay’s life updates [0:47] “When you inevitably break the chain, don’t let more than a day go before picking up the chain again.” [6:06] If you feel like you can benefit from support or accountability, send us a DM and we can help you [9:40] Listener/reader question about the Rapture [10:58] Angst about the Rapture [13:15] How the rapture is a sign of manipulation [15:42] If your belief causes you fear and anxiety, who truly benefits it? [17:55] Queering the text: 1 Peter 3:18-22 [19:26] A lot of language about Jesus, suffering, and salvation [20:27] Jesus paid for ALL [22:32] Salvation comes through the resurrection [26:09] Links mentioned in this episode: Dance Naked – click here to read Sanctuary Collective – click here to join 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 Peter 3:18-22 Christ himself suffered on account of sins, once for all, the righteous one on behalf of the unrighteous. He did this in order to bring you into the presence of God. Christ was put to death as a human, but made alive by the Spirit.  And it was by the Spirit that he went to preach to the spirits in prison.  In the past, these spirits were disobedient—when God patiently waited during the time of Noah. Noah built an ark in which a few (that is, eight) lives were rescued through water. Baptism is like that. It saves you now—not because it removes dirt from your body but because it is the mark of a good conscience toward God. Your salvation comes through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who is at God’s right side. Now that he has gone into heaven, he rules over all angels, authorities, and powers. Photo by Mads Schmidt Rasmussen The post Jesus, Suffering & Salvation – 1 Peter 3:18-22 appeared first on Queer Theology.

This episode is a little different because the question that we received from Tumblr is about a specific text and so we’re going to approach this episode as a 2-in-1: queer the text and answer a listener question all at the same time. The question: is there really a right or wrong way of praying? What is the best way to talk to the divine and have we been doing it wrong all this time? Tune in to hear our answers.  Key takeaways: Brian’s stretching routine [1:17] Fr. Shay is MARRIED [2:32] Listener question from Tumblr about the “proper” way of praying [8:32]  Let go of the anxiety about praying [11:07] There is NO one right way to pray [12:23] What comes to mind for Brian [13:02]
Is being anxious when praying helpful? [15:16] Let your connection flow and try other ways of praying [16:49] Check out or get a copy of Queers The Word 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  Matthew 6:5-14  “When you pray, don’t be like hypocrites. They love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners so that people will see them. I assure you, that’s the only reward they’ll get.  But when you pray, go to your room, shut the door, and pray to your Father who is present in that secret place. Your Father who sees what you do in secret will reward you. “When you pray, don’t pour out a flood of empty words, as the Gentiles do. They think that by saying many words they’ll be heard. Don’t be like them, because your Father knows what you need before you ask.  Pray like this: Our Father who is in heaven, uphold the holiness of your name. Bring in your kingdom so that your will is done on earth as it’s done in heaven. Give us the bread we need for today. Forgive us for the ways we have wronged you, just as we also forgive those who have wronged us. And don’t lead us into temptation, but rescue us from the evil one. “If you forgive others their sins, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. Photo by KTMD ENTERTAINMENT The post God, Praying & Anxiety – Matthew 6:5-14 appeared first on Queer Theology.

In this episode, we answer a question from a listener: Emma asks about the kingdom of God or heaven. It’s a question that we’re certain a lot of you are asking in your head right now. Stay tuned to find out what we think about the where’s and when’s of the Kingdom of God.  We also queered the text from Isaiah which we are super happy to be able to talk about today. It also ties neatly into this week’s listener question. This text is a great reminder that God is indeed everywhere, one with us. Key takeaways: Fr. Shay is getting married! [1:43] Brian and The Good Place — don’t worry, no spoilers! [2:37] Listener question about the Kingdom of God [4:40] A frank, but not helpful answer [5:24] When you get to heaven vs. when all is made right [6:32] Accepting that we don’t have to agree with what the kingdom of means [7:55] The problem with having a “supernatural” belief [8:46] Queering the text: Isaiah 40:21-31 [13:20] The importance of knowing the context of every scripture [16:13] God is part of us [18:25] 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  Isaiah 40:21-31 Don’t you know? Haven’t you heard?     Wasn’t it announced to you from the beginning?     Haven’t you understood since the earth was founded? God inhabits the earth’s horizon—     its inhabitants are like locusts—     stretches out the skies like a curtain     and spreads it out like a tent for dwelling.     God makes dignitaries useless     and the earth’s judges into nothing. Scarcely are they planted, scarcely sown,     scarcely is their shoot rooted in the earth     when God breathes on them, and they dry up;     the windstorm carries them off like straw. So to whom will you compare me,     and who is my equal? says the holy one. Look up at the sky and consider:     Who created these?     The one who brings out their attendants one by one,     summoning each of them by name. Because of God’s great strength     and mighty power, not one is missing. Why do you say, Jacob,     and declare, Israel,     “My way is hidden from the Lord,     my God ignores my predicament”? Don’t you know? Haven’t you heard?     The Lord is the everlasting God,     the creator of the ends of the earth.     He doesn’t grow tired or weary. His understanding is beyond human reach,     giving power to the tired     and reviving the exhausted. Youths will become tired and weary,     young men will certainly stumble;     but those who hope in the Lord     will renew their strength;     they will fly up on wings like eagles;     they will run and not be tired;     they will walk and not be weary. Photo by Marc-Olivier Jodoin The post God is Everywhere – Isaiah 40:21-31 appeared first on Queer Theology.

In today’s episode, we answer a question from one of our listeners about figuring out ways to come out as Christian to their non-religious queer group or chosen family. “How do you ‘come out’ as Christian when you’re not even sure yourself about this Jesus guy, but you can’t seem to shake the faith off?” We queered the text from Mark 1:21-28. We adore the book of Mark because of how straight-forward it is. Jesus, in this text,  inspires people through his teachings. We love how Jesus is able to strike a chord with the people who were there to listen to him. This inspires us to be able to speak with authority and be able to reach out and touch the lives of more people.  Key takeaways: Brian and Fr. Shay’s January update [1:12] How can people transition during this weird time? [6:05] Listener question on coming out as a Christian to non-religious queer chosen family [9:01] What kind of conversation do you want to have with your chosen queer family? [10:12] Be clear: You talking about your faith is not your way of converting your friends [11:44] Queering the text: Mark 1:21-28 [15:49] Why do we love the gospel of Mark? [16:53] Where is our authority coming from and who is recognizing our authority? [18:04] How the text reminds Brian about conversations around LGBTQ lives [21:07]  Mentioned in the episode: Faithful Sexuality Course registration is now open until February 5, 2021. Click here to register. 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 1:21-28 Jesus and his followers went into Capernaum. Immediately on the Sabbath Jesus entered the synagogue and started teaching. The people were amazed by his teaching, for he was teaching them with authority, not like the legal experts. Suddenly, there in the synagogue, a person with an evil spirit screamed, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are. You are the holy one from God.”   “Silence!” Jesus said, speaking harshly to the demon. “Come out of him!” The unclean spirit shook him and screamed, then it came out.   Everyone was shaken and questioned among themselves, “What’s this? A new teaching with authority! He even commands unclean spirits and they obey him!” Right away the news about him spread throughout the entire region of Galilee. Photo by Nick Fewings The post The Divine Authority – Mark 1:21-28 appeared first on Queer Theology.

Today we answer an anonymous question from Tumblr about having to listen to their therapist go on about how being bi is wrong. The therapist is a Christian, but her opinion left our listener feeling depressed and scared about being outed by the therapist. “How can I escape this without outing myself or giving the therapist a chance to out me?” We also queered the text from Mark 1:14-20 where it revealed to us the possible reason for Jesus’ path into public ministry. This reason illuminates how our movements today are sometimes moved into action. It also showed us what a true follower is and what it entails to truly believe in Jesus. It’s not simply saying a prayer, but to go out into the world and do the work.  Key takeaways: Fr. Shay’s winter and congregation update [0:52] Brian’s sexual resolution update [3:43] Listener/reader question from Tumblr about working with a non-affirmative therapist [9:53] The ethical responsibility of a licensed therapist [11:51] Confirm if the therapist is licensed and check for federal laws surrounding confidentiality [13:44] Tip on finding a Christian therapist [14:57] Queering the text: Mark 1:14-20 [16:26] The critique of progressive Christianity [17:22] What brings Jesus into public ministry? [20:18] Putting yourself in a path of conflict and arrest [23:36] We are called to make moral judgments [24:42] Mentioned in the episode: Faithful Sexuality Course registration is now open until February 5, 2021. Click here to register. 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 1:14-20 After John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee announcing God’s good news, saying, “Now is the time! Here comes God’s kingdom! Change your hearts and lives, and trust this good news!” As Jesus passed alongside the Galilee Sea, he saw two brothers, Simon and Andrew, throwing fishing nets into the sea, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” he said, “and I’ll show you how to fish for people.” Right away, they left their nets and followed him. After going a little farther, he saw James and John, Zebedee’s sons, in their boat repairing the fishing nets. At that very moment, he called them. They followed him, leaving their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired workers. Photo by Devin Avery The post The Catalyst – Mark 1:14-20 appeared first on Queer Theology.