Queer Theology

Welcome to another Q & A episode for the second quarter of the year 2022. We hope you are enjoying this type of episodes and remember that if you have a burning question, please send them over using the email below and you can also send them in as audio clips! We hope to feature your question in the next episode of Asked and Answered. Questions answered in today’s episode: I’m an enby Christian apart of the Black community and though I’ve been working on my journey in deconstruction, I’m confused on how certain practices and events that take place in my church environment like ‘revivals’ and ‘receiving the spirit’ -or even being able to ‘lay hands’ and heal someone could possibly be used through non-affirming pastors and generally bigoted people. Does that mean these practices are in any case theatrical or faked? Or is it something entirely else I’m missing? I’ve grown up in an environment where these types of practices are considered common as they demonstrate God’s presence, and trying to imagine these levels of bigotry and hate as a mouthpiece is confusing. I’ve been thinking about quitting church service for my health and job but I’ve been hesitant; I have the least amt of time on service but I still find it extremely overwhelming and I feel like I’m letting God down by breaking my commitment for my own purposes. What should I do? Am I just too weak?  How can asexuals/aromantics be a service or help the church? I’m asexual and bi-romantic. I came out to a Christian friend whose response was strange. She said that since I’m asexual, my love for the same sex isn’t as bad because there’s no lust involved. Obviously, that’s wrong, but I’m struggling to put into words why I feel that way, besides the queerphobia that sentiment is loaded with. Might you have any insights or thoughts about this?   Book recommendation: Radical Love: An Introduction to Queer Theology by Patrick S. Cheng   If you’d like to be featured in future episodes, email your question or Bible passage suggestion to connect@queertheology.com. Photo by Jon Tyson The post Asked And Answered With Brian And Shay: May 2022 appeared first on Queer Theology.

The hosts discuss the relationship between the crucifixion and resurrection in Christianity and its relevance to our lives today. They explore the significance of these events in their tradition and the power of reclaiming symbols of oppression. They also delve into the aftermath of Jesus's crucifixion and the role of women in the Gospel of Mark. The podcast emphasizes the call to discipleship and making a new world, free from oppression and division.

In this podcast, Brian and Fr. Shay discuss two healing stories from the Gospel of Mark and explore the concept of healing through a disability lens. They relate these stories to today's systems of oppression. The hosts also emphasize the importance of restoration, inclusivity, and reflection on possible changes. They reflect on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on accessibility and the need for universal healthcare. Additionally, they highlight the significance of imagination in creating beautiful communities and promote a course on queer Bible interpretation.

In this episode, the hosts explore three passages from the Gospel of Mark: Jesus calling his disciples, Jesus expelling demons, and Jesus feeding the five thousand. They discuss the deeper meanings behind these stories and their relevance to activism for marginalized communities. The hosts emphasize the importance of familiarity with the Hebrew scriptures for understanding the New Testament and delve into the symbolism and intentional construction of the Gospel of Mark. They also touch on the theme of sharing and abundance in the early church.

Learn about the origins and background of the Gospel of Mark, its critique of the Roman occupation, and the political landscape of the first century. Discover the Sanctuary Collective, a community for LGBTQ Christians, and the absence of a birth narrative in Mark's gospel. Explore the themes of repentance, resistance, and the importance of understanding early Christian claims.

Welcome to the last episode of the Scary Things We Were Taught in Church series. If you have listened to the two episodes prior to this, we highly recommend that you do. You can check the links below.  In today’s episode, we talk about eternal damnation—the punishment we get for the kind of life we have lived on earth. Growing up, most of us were taught that we were either going to heaven or hell. But we were also taught that Jesus died for our sins, and because of that, we have a chance to seek eternal refuge in heaven. In this episode, we break down all the different theories of atonement and how they’ve shaped the Church today. So tune in! Scary Things: The Devil and His Many Names Scary Things: The Fiery Pit   If you’d like to be featured in future episodes, email your question or Bible passage suggestion to connect@queertheology.com.   Photo by Laila Gebhard The post Scary Things: Will You End Up In Hell? appeared first on Queer Theology.

Welcome to another episode about scary things you might have been taught at church—this time, let’s talk about hell. What do you think about the concept of hell? What were you taught growing up? We dive deeper into Christianity’s take on “the place of the dead”, the underworld, the shadowy existence. Tune in to learn who, where, and how Christianity adopted the concept of hell – and how most people get it wrong every single time.   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 JR Korpa The post Scary Things: The Fiery Pit appeared first on Queer Theology.

What was your upbringing regarding your belief in Satan or the Devil? How were you taught (or scared) growing up about the fallen angel, the demon, the serpent, Beelzebub, and the many other names? In this episode, we will discover where our idea of Demon or Satan comes from. Brian is so excited about this subject and has prepared a ton of materials for this one. So tune in and see how your beliefs or ideas about the devil line up with what scripture says.   Satan in the Hebrew Bible: Numbers 22:22 And God’s anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the Lord stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him. Satan in the Garden of Eden as the serpent: Ezekiel 28:12-19 ‘You were the seal of perfection,     full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.   You were in Eden,     the garden of God; every precious stone adorned you:     carnelian, chrysolite and emerald,     topaz, onyx and jasper,     lapis lazuli, turquoise and beryl.[b] Your settings and mountings[c] were made of gold;     on the day you were created they were prepared.   You were anointed as a guardian cherub,     for so I ordained you. You were on the holy mount of God;     you walked among the fiery stones.   You were blameless in your ways     from the day you were created     till wickedness was found in you.   Through your widespread trade     you were filled with violence,     and you sinned. So I drove you in disgrace from the mount of God,     and I expelled you, guardian cherub,     from among the fiery stones.   Your heart became proud     on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your wisdom     because of your splendor. So I threw you to the earth;     I made a spectacle of you before kings.   By your many sins and dishonest trade     you have desecrated your sanctuaries. So I made a fire come out from you,     and it consumed you, and I reduced you to ashes on the ground     in the sight of all who were watching.    All the nations who knew you     are appalled at you; you have come to a horrible end      and will be no more.’”   Where the term “fallen archangel” come from: Isaiah 14:12 How you have fallen from the heavens, O Morning Star, son of the dawn! How you have been cut down to the earth, you who conquered nations!   Pop-cultural resources about The Devil: Inferno by Dante Aligheri Paradise Lost by John Milton The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer Screwtape Letters by CS Lewis   A few images depicting Satan: 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 Norbert Buduczki on Unsplash The post Scary Things: The Devil and His Many Names appeared first on Queer Theology.

It’s week one of another interesting series for you all! This time we’re talking all about end times, the rapture, and other “scary” things from the Bible. We are certain that no matter the religion or faith you were brought up in, you’ve probably heard something or another about the end of the world and in this episode, Brian and Fr. Shay talk about what they were taught, whether they believe in the rapture, and a hilarious (twisted?) rapture-themed practical joke from Shay’s childhood. If you haven’t heard of The Champion from Carman, here it is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfHfTKdYwvY   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 Blake Cheek The post Scary Things: The Great Snatch and the End of the World appeared first on Queer Theology.

Welcome to part three of the Deconstruction and Reconstruction series. In this episode, we talk about reconstruction and the importance of not being stuck in the rubble of deconstruction – moving from one stage to the other. We also talked about the differences of both and why it’s important to move past it. If you haven’t listened to the last two episodes, make sure you do so you can kickstart your journey to deconstructing and reconstructing your faith. Links mentioned: Digging The Details: https://www.queertheology.com/DTD Sanctuary Collective community – https://www.queertheology.com/community/   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 Khiet Tam The post The What’s Next: Deconstruction Part 3 appeared first on Queer Theology.