Voxology Following Jesus as a Gay Christian: The Cost, Courage, and Calling of Celibacy and Community - w/ Johanna Finegan
Discover how gay Christians committed to a traditional biblical sexual ethic are faithfully navigating identity, theology, celibacy, and spiritual friendship in Part 2 of the Revoice series. Mike Erre speaks with Dr. Johanna Finnegan—MIT PhD, philosopher, and follower of Jesus—whose journey of faith, sexuality, and discipleship offers a deeply personal and thought-provoking perspective. Johanna’s story unfolds with raw honesty, intellectual rigor, and unwavering commitment to living a life shaped by Christ.
In this powerful and deeply reflective episode, Johanna shares how she came to faith in Jesus after growing up in a largely secular household, how being gay shaped her youth and adulthood, and what it means to submit her sexuality to Christ while finding joy, meaning, and even romantic love in ways that defy simple categories.
Key Takeaways: • Facing the Tension Between Faith and Sexuality – Johanna discusses discovering she was gay at a young age and how that reality collided with traditional Christian teachings, leading to deep depression and eventual spiritual awakening. • Encountering Authentic Discipleship – Her transformation was fueled by the love, witness, and persistence of Jesus-following friends who embodied both grace and truth. • Reframing the Goal – Why orientation change isn't the aim of the Christian life; Christlikeness is. • Gay and Celibate, Yet Flourishing – Johanna unpacks the hard but life-giving reality of choosing celibacy, the “better treasure” of following Jesus, and how friendship and community became essential spiritual lifelines. • Marriage, Mystery, and Surrender – The unexpected love story that unfolded with her husband, Tim, showing that obedience doesn’t always mean perpetual loneliness or a denial of God’s goodness. • Responding to Conservative and Progressive Critics – Why language like “gay Christian” need not threaten biblical fidelity, and how faithful celibacy is often misunderstood from both ends of the spectrum. • Why Revoice Matters – Understanding the emergence of the spiritual friendship and Revoice movements as third-way communities that affirm traditional Christian teaching while offering love, visibility, and hope to LGBTQ+ believers.
Guest Highlight: Johanna Finnegan – PhD in Philosophy (MIT), co-laborer with the Revoice and Spiritual Friendship movements, and a compelling voice speaking courageously about the lived experience of gay Christians pursuing holiness, community, and authenticity.
Resources Mentioned: • Revoice Conference – revoice.us • Philip Yancey – Disappointment with God • Wesley Hill – Washed and Waiting • Bridges Across the Divide (dialogue project) • Johanna's website – johannafinnegan.com
Join the growing community of listeners wrestling with how to faithfully embody the mission of Jesus in complex and often misunderstood spaces. Subscribe to the Voxology Podcast, leave us a review, and follow us on social media to continue the conversation.
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Learn more about the Voxology Podcast Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify Support on Patreon Spotify Music Channel: Voxology Radio
Follow us on Instagram: @voxologypodcast and like us on Facebook Follow Mike on Twitter: @mikeerre
Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy
As always, we encourage and would love discussion as we pursue. Feel free to email in questions to hello@voxpodcast.com, and to engage the conversation on Facebook and Instagram.
We're on YouTube (if you're into that kinda thing): VOXOLOGY TV.
Our Merch Store! ETSY
Learn more about the Voxology Podcast
Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify
Support the Voxology Podcast on Patreon
The Voxology Spotify channel can be found here: Voxology Radio
Follow us on Instagram: @voxologypodcast and "like" us on Facebook
Follow Mike on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mikeerre
Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford
Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy