Queer Theology Your oppression is not your fault – Isaiah 64:1-9
We hold a few things in tension with this passage: the beauty of the poetry, the devastation of their situation; our identification with suffering, our disagreement with who is “at fault” here. We dive into it all!
Show Notes
In this episode, we talk about…
- parallels between the ancient Hebrew community and the modern queer community… both of which are small and vulnerable
- holy queer magic!
- the feeling that God has abandoned us (and what to do with that)
- queer people are part of the story of faith that has been told for millennia
- how this passage has been used to tell people that they are wretched and awful
- how this passage has been used to remove people from their agency
- you have talents, gifts, and skills that you need to use!
- the temptation for oppressed and marginalized to turn inward and ask “What did we do wrong to deserve this?” (and why that’s so dangerous)
- where God is in the midst of all this
Isaiah 64:1-9
If only you would tear open the heavens and come down!
Mountains would quake before you
like fire igniting brushwood or making water boil.
If you would make your name known to your enemies,
the nations would tremble in your presence.When you accomplished wonders beyond all our expectations;
when you came down, mountains quaked before you.From ancient times,
no one has heard,
no ear has perceived,
no eye has seen any god but you
who acts on behalf of those who wait for him!You look after those who gladly do right;
they will praise you for your ways.But you were angry when we sinned;
you hid yourself when we did wrong.We have all become like the unclean;
all our righteous deeds are like a menstrual rag.All of us wither like a leaf;
our sins, like the wind, carry us away.No one calls on your name;
no one bothers to hold on to you,
for you have hidden yourself from us,
and have handed us over to our sin.But now, Lord, you are our father.
We are the clay, and you are our potter.
All of us are the work of your hand.Don’t rage so fiercely, Lord;
don’t hold our sins against us forever,
but gaze now on your people, all of us:
Photo by -Reji
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