Queer Theology

Once in a while, we have those off days/weeks when things don’t go according to plan and it’s alright. What’s important is that we all take things in stride and move along whatever obstacles have been thrown our path, and that’s what we are doing this week. In today’s episode, we are sharing a throwback episode where we took a break from the regular lectionary to talk about queer sacred sites. Two years ago, Brian released a video about his experience on Fire Island and how he realized that it’s a sacred place. Fr. Shay talks about his holy experience at a small-town gay bar. And we invite you to consider the sacred sites, rituals, and experiences in your life that might have gone unnoticed before. Learn how to queer the Bible and tell your own queer, Christian stories like this. Key takeaways: Updates from Fr. Shay and Brian’s very busy week [0:39] How queer spaces can be sacred spaces too [2:00] The importance of remembering LGBTQ ancestors who have been in the same physical space that we are now [3:01] Being surrounded by queer people, past and present [4:15] What queer “tea dances” have in common with walking meditation and communion [4:45] Reconnecting sacred rituals and spaces to queerness [5:07] Fr. Shay’s safe space: small-town gay bar [5:23] Where would Jesus be if he were alive? [7:36] Queerness and faith are not separate, they exist together in us [8:15] Queerness and the gospel [8:55] The video mentioned in this episode: Queer Sacred Sites: Fire Island Link(s) mentioned in this episode: QueerTheology.com/community Queer Theology YouTube Channel 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 Juliette F The post Queer Sacred Space #throwback appeared first on Queer Theology.

We received a listener question via Twitter and it’s one that’s very timely with the unusual times we’re in right now. “How do we minister to the sick and those in need during this pandemic?” Tune in to hear what our answer was. And then we queer the text from Romans which also nicely ties into our listener’s question. We are reminded so much of the queer community and how we’ve fought against the oppressors and how we are still doing the work of taking care of others. How about you? How does this resonate with you? Key takeaways: Updates from Fr. Shay’s and Brian [0:52]  Listener question from Twitter [6:17] How the pandemic has shown a spotlight on issues that have already existed? [8:42] On paying attention to risks and taking COVID seriously while still showing up for one another [9:36] Practical ways to be there for others during the pandemic [10:52] Queering the Bible: Romans 12:9-21 [12:56] A strategic and tactical move to shame the oppressors [15:14] Seeing the queer community in this text [17:12] What “you will pile burning coals of fire upon his head” is a reminder of? [18:29]  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  Romans 12:9-21 Love should be shown without pretending. Hate evil, and hold on to what is good. Love each other like the members of your family. Be the best at showing honor to each other. Don’t hesitate to be enthusiastic—be on fire in the Spirit as you serve the Lord! Be happy in your hope, stand your ground when you’re in trouble, and devote yourselves to prayer. Contribute to the needs of God’s people, and welcome strangers into your home. Bless people who harass you—bless and don’t curse them. Be happy with those who are happy, and cry with those who are crying. Consider everyone as equal, and don’t think that you’re better than anyone else. Instead, associate with people who have no status. Don’t think that you’re so smart. Don’t pay back anyone for their evil actions with evil actions, but show respect for what everyone else believes is good.   If possible, to the best of your ability, live at peace with all people. Don’t try to get revenge for yourselves, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath. It is written, Revenge belongs to me; I will pay it back, says the Lord. Instead, If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. By doing this, you will pile burning coals of fire upon his head. Don’t be defeated by evil, but defeat evil with good. Photo by Elyssa Fahndrich The post The Power of Queer Community – Romans 12:9-21 appeared first on Queer Theology.

Today is a very special podcast episode as we are joined by Indigo and Beatrice who share their personal stories about being black, in an interracial marriage, being queer, and developing a relationship with Christ. Indigo joined us in a past episode (link below) and we’re thrilled that she wanted to come back, and with a plus 1. Indigo and Beatrice share their passion for the Black Lives Matter movement and how it translates to their relationship. So make sure you stay tuned. Key takeaways: Episode introduction [0:35] Story of Christ and how it relates to our current times and events [2:55] Jesus is never neutral [6:00] Kentucky polling siphoning [6:30] What the Black Lives Matter movement looks like for a white person [9:05] Read books from black authors [11:36] Episode mentioned in this episode Divine In The Differences, Feat Indigo Rose 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 Blackness, Queerness & Following Christ with Indigo and Beatrice appeared first on Queer Theology.

A reader asked us if there’s any truth to this statement from his favorite drama series Greenleaf, “The only way to work on the church is to be in it.” Do LGBTQ folks just endure the anxiety, stress, and judgment that non-affirming churches and its members bring on us in order to bring about change? We answer that, and more, in today’s episode. We also queer 2 passages — 1 from Isaiah, 1 from Romans — that talk about our salvation: what is it, how do we achieve it, and the work that still needs to be done. We are reminded that God has the heart for justice and we are called to be part of that work. Make sure you stay tuned. Things we talked about: Brian’s life updates: drag queen shows, date nights, and zoom time [0:40]  Fr. Shay possibly going back to being a hermit, playwriting class [3:55]  Reader question [9:33]  You don’t have to stay in order to make a church change [11:24] Very similar to our fight against police brutality [13:23]  Make queerphobia an unsustainable position [16:46]  If you decide to stay in an unaffirming church, here’s what to do if you are in solidarity with LGBT people [20:10]  Queering the Bible: Isaiah 56:1, 6-8 & Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32 [25:00]  Social justice warrior Christians are just taking the Bible seriously [27:00]  Christians in general, set up a dichotomy of who is in and who is out [29:57]  The key piece of this passage [31:07]  Essay mentioned in this episode How To Change A System Links mentioned in this episode QueerTheology.com’s online community: Sanctuary Collective Transgender course waitlist 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 56:1, 6-8 The Lord says:     Act justly and do what is righteous,     because my salvation is coming soon,     and my righteousness will be revealed. The immigrants who have joined me,     serving me and loving my name, becoming my servants,     everyone who keeps the Sabbath without making it impure,     and those who hold fast to my covenant:    I will bring them to my holy mountain,     and bring them joy in my house of prayer.     I will accept their entirely burned offerings and sacrifices on my altar.     My house will be known as a house of prayer for all peoples,         says the Lord God,     who gathers Israel’s outcasts. I will gather still others to those I have already gathered. Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32 So I ask you, has God rejected his people? Absolutely not! I’m an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. God hasn’t rejected his people, whom he knew in advance. Or don’t you know what the scripture says in the case of Elijah, when he pleads with God against Israel? God’s gifts and calling can’t be taken back. Once you were disobedient to God, but now you have mercy because they were disobedient. In the same way, they have also been disobedient because of the mercy that you received, so now they can receive mercy too. God has locked up all people in disobedience, in order to have mercy on all of them. Photo by Mic Narra The post What Is Our Salvation? – Isaiah 56:1, 6-8 & Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32 appeared first on Queer Theology.

In today’s episode, we answer a very interesting Tumblr question on why Christians continue to throw Leviticus verses and clobber passages against queer folks. “…if the Old Testament laws were abolished why do Christians continue to use them so intensely against us?” We then queer the text from Genesis about Joseph and his envious brothers. Joseph of Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat fame who was then sold to Midianite traders because his siblings couldn’t tolerate their jealousy anymore. But how do we, queer folks, interpret this passage? Make sure you stay tuned.  Things we talked about: Fr. Shay’s lockdown realizations: adjusting to the new normal [0:51] Brian’s life updates: relationships; reconnecting; conflicts and intimacy [3:47] Tumblr question [9:00] “Abomination” looks good on posters [9:42] Conservative evangelical Christians do a sloppy read of the Bible [10:55] Queering the Bible: Genesis [17:16] Figuring out why one is oppressed [20:58] BIG dreams can be scary for people [22:23] People who openly talk about their dreams are getting death threats [25:33] Protecting the dreams of others [26:02] Resources for this episode Sanctuary Collective How you can know it’s OK to be LGBTQ & Christian? (What to do with the “clobber passages”) More “is it OK” resources Rabbi Ruti Regan Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg How To Read 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  Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28 Jacob lived in the land of Canaan where his father was an immigrant. This is the account of Jacob’s descendants. Joseph was 17 years old and tended the flock with his brothers. While he was helping the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father’s wives, Joseph told their father unflattering things about them. Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons because he was born when Jacob was old. Jacob had made for him a long robe. When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of his brothers, they hated him and couldn’t even talk nicely to him.   Joseph’s brothers went to tend their father’s flocks near Shechem. Israel said to Joseph, “Aren’t your brothers tending the sheep near Shechem? Come, I’ll send you to them.”   And he said, “I’m ready.”   Jacob said to him, “Go! Find out how your brothers are and how the flock is, and report back to me.”   So Jacob sent him from the Hebron Valley. When he approached Shechem, a man found him wandering in the field and asked him, “What are you looking for?”   Joseph said, “I’m looking for my brothers. Tell me, where are they tending the sheep?”   The man said, “They left here. I heard them saying, ‘Let’s go to Dothan.’” So Joseph went after his brothers and found them in Dothan.   They saw Joseph in the distance before he got close to them, and they plotted to kill him. The brothers said to each other, “Here comes the big dreamer. Come on now, let’s kill him and throw him into one of the cisterns, and we’ll say a wild animal devoured him. Then we will see what becomes of his dreams!”   When Reuben heard what they said, he saved him from them, telling them, “Let’s not take his life.” Reuben said to them, “Don’t spill his blood! Throw him into this desert cistern, but don’t lay a hand on him.” He intended to save Joseph from them and take him back to his father.   When Joseph reached his brothers, they stripped off Joseph’s long robe, took him, and threw him into the cistern, an empty cistern with no water in it. When they sat down to eat, they looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead, with camels carrying sweet resin, medicinal resin, and fragrant resin on their way down to Egypt. Judah said to his brothers, “What do we gain if we kill our brother and hide his blood? Come on, let’s sell him to the Ishmaelites. Let’s not harm him because he’s our brother; he’s family.” His brothers agreed. When some Midianite traders passed by, they pulled Joseph up out of the cistern. They sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver, and they brought Joseph to Egypt. Photo by Peter Fogden The post What Do You Dream Of? – Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28 appeared first on Queer Theology.

Today’s listener question is something that we know a lot of people can relate to, but might be too afraid or shy to ask about. It deals with the guilt of masturbation and watching porn. “My main concern is that I have prayed to God asking for forgiveness… even made several promises that I end up breaking. What should I do?” Then we queer a well-known text from Matthew: the story of Jesus feeding 5,000 people. This is a really beautiful story of people taking care of each other and of sharing what they have. It’s also worth noting that this is what we queer folks do. We provide shelter for those who have been kicked out of their homes, we give what we can give to help someone pay for medical expenses, and we’re just basically each other’s support system.  Things we talked about: Fr. Shay’s quick getaway experience [0:46] Brian shares his 2020 goal [2:05] Listener question [6:29] The conservative ideology of who God is [8:23] Reconceptualizing what sin is [9:48] Masturbation: taking ownership of your body [13:11] Queering the Bible: Matthew [16:07] Queer folks simply just taking care of each other [18:56] What Jesus did was politically subversive [21:24] Mentioned in this episode Sanctuary Collective 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 14:13-21 When Jesus heard about John, he withdrew in a boat to a deserted place by himself. When the crowds learned this, they followed him on foot from the cities. When Jesus arrived and saw a large crowd, he had compassion for them and healed those who were sick. That evening his disciples came and said to him, “This is an isolated place and it’s getting late. Send the crowds away so they can go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” But Jesus said to them, “There’s no need to send them away. You give them something to eat.” They replied, “We have nothing here except five loaves of bread and two fish.” He said, “Bring them here to me.” He ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. He took the five loaves of bread and the two fish, looked up to heaven, blessed them and broke the loaves apart and gave them to his disciples. Then the disciples gave them to the crowds. Everyone ate until they were full, and they filled twelve baskets with the leftovers. About five thousand men plus women and children had eaten. Photo by Branimir Balogović The post Miracle or Mutual Aid – Matthew 14:13-21 appeared first on Queer Theology.

A listener wants to know “How do you move past the difficulty of reconciling gender issues found in the Bible? How can you simply focus on Jesus and the faith that you are keeping or trying to build?” We answer that question, but maybe not in the way you’re expecting. We also queer a text from 1 Kings where we are reminded, through Solomon, that wisdom and ability to discern are far more valuable than any worldly treasures. There’s also a reminder to first take the time to learn, grow yourself… and then, change the world. Things we talked about: Opening chat: this week, it’s all about books [0:39] Anonymous listener question [9:07] Can you come out and keep your faith mostly as-is? [10:38] Anti-LGBTQ Christianity is obsessed with sex and gender [12:38] Queering the lectionary text: 1 Kings 3:5-12 [16:00] Desire for more wisdom and deeply learn [17:48] How LGBTQ people are cut off from our family history [19:25] Why it’s important to honor the experiences of the youth [21:17] Be whole and healthy by taking care of yourself [22:36]  Tap into the vast work that’s already being done [23:22] Books mentioned Color of Violence edited by INCITE! Women of Color Against Violence Captive Genders Queer (In)Justice by Andrea Ritchie, Joey L. Mogul, and Kay Whitlock Shadowshaper Legacy by Daniel José Older Mentioned in this episode Sanctuary Collective queertheology.com/guide queertheology.com/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  1 Kings 3:5-12 The Lord appeared to Solomon at Gibeon in a dream at night. God said, “Ask whatever you wish, and I’ll give it to you.”   Solomon responded, “You showed so much kindness to your servant my father David when he walked before you in truth, righteousness, and with a heart true to you. You’ve kept this great loyalty and kindness for him and have now given him a son to sit on his throne. And now, Lord my God, you have made me, your servant, king in my father David’s place. But I’m young and inexperienced. I know next to nothing. But I’m here, your servant, in the middle of the people you have chosen, a large population that can’t be numbered or counted due to its vast size. Please give your servant a discerning mind in order to govern your people and to distinguish good from evil, because no one is able to govern this important people of yours without your help.”   It pleased the Lord that Solomon had made this request. God said to him, “Because you have asked for this instead of requesting long life, wealth, or victory over your enemies—asking for discernment so as to acquire good judgment— I will now do just what you said. Look, I hereby give you a wise and understanding mind. There has been no one like you before now, nor will there be anyone like you afterward. Photo by NESA by Makers The post Learn & Change the World – 1 Kings 3:5-12 appeared first on Queer Theology.

In your faith journey, when did you notice the Bible’s inaccuracies and contradictions? Did this somehow challenge your faith? Today we answer a question from a Patreon supporter who wonders “How does one keep one’s faith when the gospels are so discrepant?”  Then, we queer the text from Romans that is very timely with the pandemic and how some are acting in selfish ways. It also reminds us to step into, and even celebrate, freedom where we have it rather than focusing on the fear of losing it. Embrace the fear and use it to motivate you to continue to do the work. Things we talked about: New fellowship for Fr. Shay [1:10] Brian’s Danish language learning adventure [2:32] Listener question from Patreon [6:12] Christianity of conservative Evangelicalism = house of cards [9:12] When and why the idea that “the Bible is inerrant” was created [11:16] We queer the lectionary text from Romans 8:12-25 [14:37] What is our communal obligation? [17:15] How fear manifests itself [18:53] Choose liberation over fear [21:13] Mentioned in this episode Sanctuary Collective Last week’s episode: queertheology.com/337 A Guide To Recovering From Fundamentalism 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  Romans 8:12-25 So then, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation, but it isn’t an obligation to ourselves to live our lives on the basis of selfishness. If you live on the basis of selfishness, you are going to die. But if by the Spirit you put to death the actions of the body, you will live. All who are led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons and daughters. You didn’t receive a spirit of slavery to lead you back again into fear, but you received a Spirit that shows you are adopted as his children. With this Spirit, we cry, “Abba, Father.” The same Spirit agrees with our spirit, that we are God’s children. But if we are children, we are also heirs. We are God’s heirs and fellow heirs with Christ, if we really suffer with him so that we can also be glorified with him. I believe that the present suffering is nothing compared to the coming glory that is going to be revealed to us. The whole creation waits breathless with anticipation for the revelation of God’s sons and daughters. Creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice—it was the choice of the one who subjected it—but in the hope that the creation itself will be set free from slavery to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of God’s children. We know that the whole creation is groaning together and suffering labor pains up until now. And it’s not only the creation. We ourselves who have the Spirit as the first crop of the harvest also groan inside as we wait to be adopted and for our bodies to be set free. We were saved in hope. If we see what we hope for, that isn’t hope. Who hopes for what they already see? But if we hope for what we don’t see, we wait for it with patience. Photo by Sammie Vasquez The post Step Into Fear, Be Brave – Romans 8:12-25 appeared first on Queer Theology.

In today’s episode, we answer a reader question from Tumblr regarding ways to talk about the Bible as communicative of revelation. This person also asks, “Or are the scriptures only inspired in a relativized sense alongside great works of literature, poetry, etc ?” We then queer the text from Psalm that perfectly ties to the Tumblr question. Stay tuned to know what we think about this poem and how this text was written to and about the divine. Moreover, we realize that this poem resembles closely to the work that we do as we light the path for others.  Things we talked about: Hamilton and Fr. Shay’s upcoming trip [0:56] Brian’s birthday plans [1:53] Reader question on Tumblr [5:00] Is the Bible uniquely authoritative? [7:17] How literature, poetry, and experiences can help us understand the Bible and the divine better [12:43] The false dichotomy [14:40] We queer the lectionary text from Psalm 119:105-112 [16:43] This text was written to and about the divine [18:45] The Bible as an infallible word of God? [19:20] Illuminate the path to realize our inherent goodness [21:22] Mentioned in this episode Free online workshop on how to read the Bible coming soon. Stay in the loop: queertheology.com/howtoreadthebible Sanctuary Collective 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 119:105-112 Your word is a lamp before my feet     and a light for my journey. I have sworn, and I fully mean it:     I will keep your righteous rules. I have been suffering so much—     Lord, make me live again according to your promise. Please, Lord, accept my spontaneous gifts of praise.     Teach me your rules! Though my life is constantly in danger,     I won’t forget your Instruction. Though the wicked have set a trap for me,     I won’t stray from your precepts. Your laws are my possession forever     because they are my heart’s joy. I have decided to keep your statutes forever, every last one. Photo by Julia Florczak The post The Lamp, The Light, The Path – Psalm 119:105-112 appeared first on Queer Theology.

Today we answer another Tumblr question on the types of questions to ask during Bible or Christian studies that will stump teachers and other students at their unaffirming Christian school. We queer this week’s sensual text from Song of Solomon which we’ve never really done in the years that we’ve been queering the lectionary text. We talked about the importance of understanding and accepting that sex, sensuality, and pleasure are integral parts of being humans.  Things we talked about: Shay’s update: Disclosure documentary on Netflix [0:36] Brina’s excitement over Hamilton premiere on Disney Plus [2:48] Reader question from Tumblr on questions to asks during classes to get students and teachers thinking about LGBTQ folks [6:15] We queer the lectionary texts from Song of Solomon 2:8-13 [15:28] What does it mean that this book of the Bible is an epic sex poem [16:49] Does this text speak only about married couples? [17:37] Sex is a big part of being human for many people [22:53] Joy and pleasure are part of life [23:50] Helpful links Is it OK? A 7-day series Self-Care for LGBTQ Christians Jesus is Polyamorous Waitlist for Queering 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   Song of Solomon 2:8-13 Listen! It’s my lover: here he comes now,         leaping upon the mountains,         bounding over the hills. My lover is like a gazelle         or a young stag. Here he stands now,         outside our wall,         peering through the windows,         peeking through the lattices.   My lover spoke and said to me, “Rise up, my dearest,         my fairest, and go. Here, the winter is past;         the rains have come and gone. Blossoms have appeared in the land;         the season of singing has arrived,         and the sound of the turtledove is heard in our land. The green fruit is on the fig tree,         and the grapevines in bloom are fragrant. Rise up, my dearest,         my fairest, and go. Photo by Sharon McCutcheon The post The Bible is Sexy AF – Song of Solomon 2:8-13 appeared first on Queer Theology.