Queer Theology

In today’s episode, we answer a listener question wondering about the concepts of sin and Hell, and how Christianity teaches about them. Does not checking a certain set of boxes make you less of a Christian and does that mean you’ll go to Hell?  We then queered the text from 1 Corinthians, one of the texts that is often used against us. It talks about sexual immorality and how our bodies are a  temple and should be treated as such. But it’s helpful to understand the history behind this text and how its writer, presumably Paul, might have some personal issues with his own body and with sex. More on that in today’s episode, so stay tuned. Key takeaways: New member area for Sanctuary collective [1:00] The foundation of this work: it never ends [4:00] There is always new insights and revelations in the Bible [5:50] Listener question from Tumblr about the concepts of sin and hell [8:33] The concepts are all interconnected AKA all jumbled up [9:47] The real point as a follower of Jesus [11:08]  The bottom line: there are more ways to understand Christianity [14:22] Queering the text: 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 [19:04] Paul might have some issues with sex and this might be a specific response to specific answers [21:06]  Finding beauty in this passage [24:23]  Reading the Bible with rose-colored glasses [25:36] Mentioned in the episode: Tricky Question About Sex Workshop – free workshop on January 17, 2021, 4:00 – 5:00 pm EST (9-10 pm GMT). Click here.  Faithful Sexuality Course registration is now open until February 5, 2021. Click here to register. Learning About God’s Love From Hooking Up 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 Simon Rae The post My Temple My Rules – 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 appeared first on Queer Theology.

Happy New Year! We hope you had a lovely NYE celebration, hopefully, safe and at home.  In today’s episode, we received a reader question on Tumblr asking how to be proud of who you truly are and still be a Christian despite learning that being queer is a sin. “Is there anything in the Bible on accepting yourself and being proud of who you are without it being vanity?”  We also queered the text from Acts which Fr. Shay loves because of how the early Christian community is messily and gloriously human. It also shows that if there is a compelling message or movement people always want to be part of it. Tune in to hear more of how we queered today’s text.  Key takeaways: Fr. Shay’s silent retreat (at home) [0:53] Brian’s sexual resolutions [3:32] Tricky Questions About Sex Workshop [7:38] Tumblr question about accepting your queer self and still be proud to be Christian [9:57] God is “angry” at you and will “punish” you [10:46] Whose side is God on? [12:03] Unpacking unhealthy theology [12:59] Check-in with yourself if you are being oppressive [13:57] Queering the text: Acts 19:1-7 [15:58] The chaotic early Christian community [17:02] A compelling message that people want to be part of [17:46] The tension and good intention [20:09] Find ways to get started and be open to corrections [20:44] Tricky Question About Sex Workshop: queertheology.com/trickyquestions Links mentioned: How to set Sexual Resolutions Set Sexual Resolutions for New Year’s Resolutions Why Did Jesus Die? Some resources about Pride: My First Pride, PRIDE (SHAME) issue of Spit & Spirit, Coming Down From The Pride High Bible verses to remind you God loves you and cares about your well-being 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  Acts 19:1-7 While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul took a route through the interior and came to Ephesus, where he found some disciples. He asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you came to believe?” They replied, “We’ve not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” Then he said, “What baptism did you receive, then?” They answered, “John’s baptism.” Paul explained, “John baptized with a baptism by which people showed they were changing their hearts and lives. It was a baptism that told people about the one who was coming after him. This is the one in whom they were to believe. This one is Jesus.” After they listened to Paul, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in other languages and prophesying. Altogether, there were about twelve people. Photo by Jeremy Bishop The post Grow And Change – Acts 19:1-7 appeared first on Queer Theology.

In today’s episode, we answer an anonymous reader question from Tumblr. The reader is a transfeminine nonbinary person who is scared to transition for fear of a transphobic family. “What should I do? Do I lose everything for me or do I suffer for others?”  We also queered the text from John 1:1-18 where we realize how similar the gospel is to Queer Theology and the work that we all do. We acknowledge the fact that there are congregations that read and understand the gospel of John in ways that it wasn’t meant to be understood. But more importantly, we recognize the beauty and boldness of what this text really means.   Key takeaways: Why Fr. Shay is excited for 2021 and reminiscing on the “weirdness” that was 2020 [1:03] Brian’s intentional thoughts for 2021 and bringing back some Queer Theology courses [2:37] Talking more about our Faithful Sexuality course [4:00]  Reader question from Tumbler about being scared of transitioning [7:07] The idea that suffering is noble [7:55] Fr. Shay’s turning point [9:28] What you need to realize if you lose your family [12:08] Queering the text: John 1:1-18 [13:47] The authors of the gospel writing to make meaning out of circulating stories about Jesus [16:40] How some conservative Christians read John [18:46] Bodies matter: a bold and scandalous claim [20:32] If we believe that bodies matter, what do we do then? [21:15] Links mentioned: To LGBTQ Kids With Unaffirming Parents: You Deserve Better Self-care workshop  Faithful Sexuality: Building a Sexual Ethic That Fits 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 1:1-18 In the beginning was the Word     and the Word was with God     and the Word was God. The Word was with God in the beginning. Everything came into being through the Word,     and without the Word     nothing came into being. What came into being     through the Word was life,     and the life was the light for all people. The light shines in the darkness,     and the darkness doesn’t extinguish the light.   A man named John was sent from God. He came as a witness to testify concerning the light, so that through him everyone would believe in the light. He himself wasn’t the light, but his mission was to testify concerning the light.   The true light that shines on all people     was coming into the world.   The light was in the world,     and the world came into being through the light,         but the world didn’t recognize the light. The light came to his own people,     and his own people didn’t welcome him. But those who did welcome him,         those who believed in his name,     he authorized to become God’s children,         born not from blood         nor from human desire or passion,         but born from God. The Word became flesh     and made his home among us. We have seen his glory,     glory like that of a father’s only son,         full of grace and truth.   John testified about him, crying out, “This is the one of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me is greater than me because he existed before me.’”   From his fullness we have all received grace upon grace;     as the Law was given through Moses,     so grace and truth came into being through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God.     God the only Son,         who is at the Father’s side,         has made God known. Photo by Cosmopolitano Music The post Body & Flesh Matters – John 1:1-18 appeared first on Queer Theology.

We are taking a quick break from the lectionary to celebrate Christmas and New Year’s. In today’s episode, we share how we celebrated Christmas and what our New Year’s Eve plans are. We also talk about our respective family traditions and of course, we also want to hear yours. Key takeaways: Fr. Shay spending the “dream” Christmas celebration [0:49] Take a moment to check-in on yourself and your goals [2:04]  Brian and his jar of notecards [2:38] How Brian used to celebrate New Year’s Eve in NY [3:44] Christmas traditions [4:19] Share with us what your family traditions are [8:31]  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 Roberto Nickson The post Queer Theology Holiday Special appeared first on Queer Theology.

Today we answer a listener question about ways for affirming cishet adults to reach out to the LGBTQ+ community even if they have no queer friends. We share some insight to connecting with queer folks but also advise you to do some introspection. Why? Tune in to find out. We then queered the text from Luke 1:46b-55 and reflected on how Mary sings her praises to God and how the divine will overthrow those who are proud and arrogant. This is one of our favorite texts and you’ll find out why in today’s episode.  Key takeaways: Fr. Shay’s seemingly relaxing and chill Christmas [0:48] Brian missing regular Christmas parties [2:09] Listener question about cishet adults reaching out to LGBTQ+ community [4:33] How to find queer folks with the same interest as you [5:27] The problem of the “how to reach out of people” idea [7:07] Do some introspection on why you don’t have gay friends [8:04] Queering the text: Luke 1:46b-55 [10:04] Why Fr. Shay has written a lot about Mary [11:35] The history of women oppression in Christianity [14:06] A different way of thinking about Christmas [14:50] 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  Luke 1:46b-55 Mary said, “With all my heart I glorify the Lord!     In the depths of who I am I rejoice in God my savior. He has looked with favor on the low status of his servant.     Look! From now on, everyone will consider me highly favored         because the mighty one has done great things for me. Holy is his name.     He shows mercy to everyone,         from one generation to the next,         who honors him as God. He has shown strength with his arm.     He has scattered those with arrogant thoughts and proud inclinations.     He has pulled the powerful down from their thrones         and lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things     and sent the rich away empty-handed. He has come to the aid of his servant Israel,         remembering his mercy,     just as he promised to our ancestors,         to Abraham and to Abraham’s descendants forever.” Photo by Laura Allen   The post The Hymn About Power – Luke 1:46b-55 appeared first on Queer Theology.

In this episode, we answer a question from a listener and Sanctuary Collective member about money and how some churches, organizations, or congregations make their members feel guilty about giving small pledges or sometimes nothing at all.  We queered the text from 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 which ties back to the listener question of having the ability to make choices. How? You’ll have to stay tuned to find out. This passage was also Brian’s touchstone Bible passage as he was starting to question his sexuality. More of that in this episode.  Key takeaways: Brian, Soul Safe workshop and queer holidays [0:40] Fr. Shay revisiting his old journals and the non-existent boundaries with parents [5:01] Listener question about giving money to the congregation  [9:15] You SHOULD NOT be made feel guilty for giving $1/month [10:31]  Generosity vs. insurance [11:25] Acts and sharing everything in common [13:37] Hard to be in the community [17:01] Queering the text: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 [19:27] Brian searching “Is it okay to be gay?” and coming across this passage [20:21] How this passage was taught to us as kids [23:44] Figuring out to follow our calling [25:04] How this text reminds us of Jeremiah’s passage? [28:03] Link mentioned in this post: Self-care workshop Queers The Word Devotional   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 Thessalonians 5:16-24 Rejoice always. Pray continually. Give thanks in every situation because this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Don’t suppress the Spirit. Don’t brush off Spirit-inspired messages, but examine everything carefully and hang on to what is good. Avoid every kind of evil. Now, may the God of peace himself cause you to be completely dedicated to him; and may your spirit, soul, and body be kept intact and blameless at our Lord Jesus Christ’s coming.  The one who is calling you is faithful and will do this. Photo by Kelly Sikkema The post What is Good & Right – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 appeared first on Queer Theology.

Today’s question is from a Sanctuary Collective member who wanted to learn more about Revelation and its historical context. She also wants to know how learning about history would help make the book and its message more meaningful. Do we think Revelation should be taken literally? Tune in to find out. We also queered the text from 2 Peter that implies how we are to stay “pure” and wait for the “new heaven” and “new earth”. You already know that we’re going to relate this text to being queer and the work that we do. And while that’s not surprising, you might be surprised by how this text isn’t what it seems. Key takeaways: Fr. Shay’s Advent update and the feeling of nesting [0:50] Brian’s excitement about Queers the Word [4:14] Reader/listener/Sanctuary Collective question about the historical context of Revelation [5:52] Revelation is a weird book and how it’s not meant to be a fortune-telling manual [6:30] What John is depicting in the book of Revelations [9:02] How we use “stories” in the current times [10:35] Queer the Bible: 2 Peter 3:8-15 [13:10] Queer couples laying the groundwork years ago [16:21] How this text was understood and taught in the past [19:33] Destruction vs. reconciliation [20:56] Link mentioned in this post: Self-study course: Journey into the Bible  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  2 Peter 3:8-15 Don’t let it escape your notice, dear friends, that with the Lord a single day is like a thousand years and a thousand years are like a single day. The Lord isn’t slow to keep his promise, as some think of slowness, but he is patient toward you, not wanting anyone to perish but all to change their hearts and lives. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. On that day the heavens will pass away with a dreadful noise, the elements will be consumed by fire, and the earth and all the works done on it will be exposed. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be? You must live holy and godly lives, waiting for and hastening the coming day of God. Because of that day, the heavens will be destroyed by fire and the elements will melt away in the flames. But according to his promise we are waiting for a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness is at home. Therefore, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found by him in peace—pure and faultless. Consider the patience of our Lord to be salvation, just as our dear friend and brother Paul wrote to you according to the wisdom given to him, Photo by Hudson Hintze The post What Type of Ancestor Are You? – 2 Peter 3:8-15 appeared first on Queer Theology.

In today’s episode, we received a reader question from Tumblr about the Bible not mentioning queer folks. “…if acting out a queer lifestyle is wanted by God, why does he never includes them specifically while talking about relationships? Like, he talks about marriage between man and woman and the specific moral standards of that.” The reader was wondering how come God doesn’t mention gays or lesbians. Tune in for our answer. We also queered a passage from Psalms and we love how this book, in particular, shows the broadness of human emotions instead of only showing fun and joy. This passage also reminds us how much the Bible is written for us queer folks and what Jesus is asking of us. Key takeaways: Christmas pageant time for Fr. Shay [0:49] New normal Thanksgiving for Brian [3:30] Reader question from Tumblr asking why God never mentions gays and lesbians in the Bible if being queer is okay and wanted by the divine [4:53] A jumble of different oral tradition [6:17] The inaccuracy of how we look at marriage from the Bible [8:20] Just because it wasn’t mentioned in the Bible means it doesn’t exist [9:30]  Scripture is queer in a lot of different ways [12:20] Queering the Bible: Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 [14:55] How relatable the Bible is and how it’s written for queer people, too [16:00] On Psalms reflecting the human’s full-range of emotions [17:54] What Jesus’ ministry is asking of us [19:29] Link mentioned in this post: Self care workshop 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    Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 Shepherd of Israel, listen!     You, the one who leads Joseph as if he were a sheep.     You, who are enthroned upon the winged heavenly creatures. Show yourself before Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh!     Wake up your power!     Come to save us! Restore us, God!     Make your face shine so that we can be saved!   Lord God of heavenly forces,     how long will you fume against your people’s prayer? You’ve fed them bread made of tears;     you’ve given them tears to drink three times over! You’ve put us at odds with our neighbors;     our enemies make fun of us. Restore us, God of heavenly forces!     Make your face shine so that we can be saved!   Let your hand be with the one on your right side—     with the one whom you secured as your own—     then we will not turn away from you! Revive us so that we can call on your name.     Restore us, Lord God of heavenly forces!     Make your face shine so that we can be saved! Photo by Chris Curry The post Wake Up and Pay Attention – Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 appeared first on Queer Theology.

Today, we answer a reader question from Tumblr who is trying to find peace with being gay. This reader is asking for us to prove that being gay is not a sin after reading an article from AnswersinGenesis that refutes everything that gay Christians have said. “I’m a same-sex attracted Christian who has felt suicidal about it forever. I wish I could find absolute truth about it and be at peace.” As for queering the text this week, we are trying something new by reading a selection from Queers the Word. It fits perfectly with today’s text from Matthew 25:31-46. Tune in for a sampler of our 40-day devotional Queers the Word and a queer look at the way God will separate “the sheep” from “the goats.” Key takeaways: Election and holiday updates [0:40] Fr. Shay’s big news (career-wise) [3:21] Reader question from Tumblr on proving that gay is not a sin [5:13] One of the biggest tip we can give [6:13] Jesus tells us what to believe in [9:18] Reading from Queers the Word [11:09] LGBTQ+ folks are usually cast as wicked [13:17] How Jesus and his followers did the work? [15:10] More about Queers the Word [15:49] Link mentioned in this post: Pick up 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 25:31-46 “Now when the Human One comes in his majesty and all his angels are with him, he will sit on his majestic throne. All the nations will be gathered in front of him. He will separate them from each other, just as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right side. But the goats he will put on his left. “Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who will receive good things from my Father. Inherit the kingdom that was prepared for you before the world began. I was hungry and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me. I was naked and you gave me clothes to wear. I was sick and you took care of me. I was in prison and you visited me.’ “Then those who are righteous will reply to him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you a drink? When did we see you as a stranger and welcome you, or naked and give you clothes to wear? When did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ “Then the king will reply to them, ‘I assure you that when you have done it for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you have done it for me.’ “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Get away from me, you who will receive terrible things. Go into the unending fire that has been prepared for the devil and his angels. I was hungry and you didn’t give me food to eat. I was thirsty and you didn’t give me anything to drink. I was a stranger and you didn’t welcome me. I was naked and you didn’t give me clothes to wear. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’ “Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison and didn’t do anything to help you?’ Then he will answer, ‘I assure you that when you haven’t done it for one of the least of these, you haven’t done it for me.’ And they will go away into eternal punishment. But the righteous ones will go into eternal life.” Photo by Tamara Gak   The post Sheep and Goats – Matthew 25:31-46 appeared first on Queer Theology.

In today’s episode, we answer a listener question from Tumblr asking for book recommendations for their mom to read. While we share some really good books that we think are going to help anyone who wants to learn more about queerness, we also want you to check first if that’s something your parent wants. We then queer the text from Judges which celebrates people who defy gender norms. We read about Deborah who was the leader of Israel at that time. Why is that important to note? Remember that women were considered inferior and were not to hold any high positions, but in this text, the leader was Deborah — a woman. Key takeaways: Election week update [0:44] The super-secret project will be out on November 17 [8:10] A listener asked for a recommendation on queer books for their mom to read [13:34] Is your mom asking for a book? [15:05] Our recommendations [15:22] Queering the Bible: Judges 4:1-7 [20:46] People who defy gender norms [22:24]  Importance of gender expansiveness in scriptures [24:10] Books mentioned in this episode: The Miseducation of Cameron Post by Emily Danforth Queer Virtue by Rev. Liz Edmond Radical Love by Patrick Cheng Chicken by Chase Night Autoboyography by Christina Lauren Juliet Takes a Breath by Gabby Rivera Links and group mentioned: Queers The Word – Free sample PFLAG Self care 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  Judges 4:1-7 After Ehud had died, the Israelites again did things that the Lord saw as evil. So the Lord gave them over to King Jabin of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor. The commander of his army was Sisera, and he was stationed in Harosheth-ha-goiim. The Israelites cried out to the Lord because Sisera had nine hundred iron chariots and had oppressed the Israelites cruelly for twenty years. Now Deborah, a prophet, the wife of Lappidoth, was a leader of Israel at that time. She would sit under Deborah’s palm tree between Ramah and Bethel in the Ephraim highlands, and the Israelites would come to her to settle disputes. She sent word to Barak, Abinoam’s son, from Kedesh in Naphtali and said to him, “Hasn’t the Lord, Israel’s God, issued you a command? ‘Go and assemble at Mount Tabor, taking ten thousand men from the people of Naphtali and Zebulun with you. I’ll lure Sisera, the commander of Jabin’s army, to assemble with his chariots and troops against you at the Kishon River, and then I’ll help you overpower him.’” Photo by Paul Hanaoka The post Gender Expansive Leadership – Judges 4:1-7 appeared first on Queer Theology.