Queer Theology

In this episode, we talk about… our upcoming webinar on learning to read scripture from a queer perspective (register at queertheology.com/queerbible) different ways to read the Bible figuring out who we are in Bible stories Brian’s first experience of finding liberation in the Bible Read the transcript (PDF) P.S. if you want to read Walking Toward Resurrection, you can get it at queertheology.com/resurrection/   The post Queering The Bible appeared first on Queer Theology.

In this episode we look at … the power that comes from leaving parallels between Abram’s descendants becoming a great nation and the LGBTQ community the ways in which queer people are a blessing to the world Get even more queering the Bible—and learn how to do it yourself!—inside Sanctuary Collective, our online community. Learn more at queertheology.com/sanctuary-collective Read the transcript (PDF) Genesis 12:1-4 The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. “I will make you into a great nation,     and I will bless you; I will make your name great,     and you will be a blessing.[a] I will bless those who bless you,     and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth     will be blessed through you.” So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Harran. The post The power of queer community – Genesis 12:1-4 appeared first on Queer Theology.

In this episode we look at… how this passage resonates with folks who have been in the closet a message of hope for those who feel shame the importance of naming our sins, of bringing are shame out into the light what sin is and what it isn’t what to do after your sins are forgiven how this passage relates to folks working in solidarity with queer people a special announcement about Walking Toward Resurrection (learn more at https://www.queertheology.com/resurrection/) Don’t forget, if you want to dive deeper into queer theology, Sanctuary Collective — our online community + premium resources — is just for you! Learn more and sign up at https://www.queertheology.com/sanctuary-collective Read the transcript (PDF) Psalm 32 Blessed is the one     whose transgressions are forgiven,     whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one     whose sin the Lord does not count against them     and in whose spirit is no deceit.  When I kept silent,     my bones wasted away     through my groaning all day long.  For day and night     your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped     as in the heat of summer. Then I acknowledged my sin to you     and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess     my transgressions to the Lord.” And you forgave     the guilt of my sin. Therefore let all the faithful pray to you     while you may be found; surely the rising of the mighty waters     will not reach them. You are my hiding place;     you will protect me from trouble     and surround me with songs of deliverance. I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;     I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. Do not be like the horse or the mule,     which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle     or they will not come to you. Many are the woes of the wicked,     but the Lord’s unfailing love     surrounds the one who trusts in him. Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous;     sing, all you who are upright in heart! The post When I kept silent… – Psalm 32 appeared first on Queer Theology.

In the coming year, we’re going to be hosting an interactive course on how to read the Bible through a queer lens to understand it more deeply (and faithfully, even!). This passage is one that we’ll look at more closely — and then give you the tools so that you can find your own queer connections throughout Scripture. If you’re interested in that, let us know. In this episode we discuss… parallels between the transfiguration and coming out what to do when you’re afraid what the transfiguration might have meant for Jesus what that might mean for LGBTQ people how to create a sexual ethic for yourself (register for the webinar at queertheology.com/sex) Matthew 17:1-9 After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus. As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.” Photo by MTSOfan The post Transfiguration: Jesus Comes Out – Matthew 17:1-9 appeared first on Queer Theology.

In this episode we look at… “This is a passage that every LGBTQ person — or any person considering being a sexual being — has heard before” How this passage has been used against LGBTQ people How this passage might give us hope in our current tumultuous political reality What does it mean that “your body is a temple”? We look at how conservative Christianity has defined that idea, what it might have meant to the earliest Christians, and what it might mean for us today How to reclaim our sexuality Brian said he’d put a link to “What Promiscuity Taught Me About God’s Love” in the show notes our upcoming webinar on creating a sexual ethic (register at queertheology.com/sex!) 1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23 By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.  Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple. Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become “fools” so that you may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness”; and again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.” So then, no more boasting about human leaders! All things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God. The post What does it mean to be God’s temple? – 1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23 appeared first on Queer Theology.

In this episode, Shay and Brian discuss this week’s reading from Deuteronomy and the hard truths to think about.  God of the Old Testament is not all judgement and consequences for sin. In this week’s episode we discuss a life of community, healing, wholeness and the weight that can be lifted when we choose life. Read the transcript (PDF) Deuteronomy 30:15-20 See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess. But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them, I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess. This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The post Will you choose life? – Deuteronomy 30:15-20 appeared first on Queer Theology.

Sometimes it feels like what the Bible asks of us is disconnected from what religious culture asks of us. What does it mean to be a light to the nation? How do we act as God’s ambassadors in our world? Read the transcript (PDF) Photo by Jyrki Salmi The post What does it mean to be a light? – Isaiah 58:7-10 appeared first on Queer Theology.

Micah 6:1-8 Hear what the Lord is saying: Arise, lay out the lawsuit before the mountains;         let the hills hear your voice! Hear, mountains, the lawsuit of the Lord!         Hear, eternal foundations of the earth! The Lord has a lawsuit against his people;         with Israel he will argue. “My people, what did I ever do to you?         How have I wearied you? Answer me! I brought you up out of the land of Egypt;         I redeemed you from the house of slavery.         I sent Moses, Aaron, and Miriam before you. My people, remember what Moab’s King Balak had planned,         and how Balaam, Beor’s son, answered him!         Remember everything[a] from Shittim to Gilgal,         that you might learn to recognize the righteous acts of the Lord!” With what should I approach the Lord         and bow down before God on high? Should I come before him with entirely burned offerings,         with year-old calves? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,         with many torrents of oil? Should I give my oldest child for my crime;         the fruit of my body for the sin of my spirit? He has told you, human one, what is good and         what the Lord requires from you:             to do justice, embrace faithful love, and walk humbly with your God. The post What does the Lord require? – Micah 6:1-8 appeared first on Queer Theology.

We are back from our winter break and talking about what’s on tap for Queer Theology in 2017: it’s all about identity. In this episode, we talk about our identities and share information about this year’s synchroblog The post Identity appeared first on Queer Theology.

In this episode we reflect on Advent, Christmas, the changing season, and waiting for 2017. Plus, we share some of our Queer Theology plans for the new year! The post Advent, Christmas, and Waiting for 2017 appeared first on Queer Theology.