Queer Theology

In today’s episode, we listen to one of Fr. Shay’s favorites which was published 8 years ago. This is a short podcast, but the message is inspiring and clear. Brian and Shay talk about recovering from fundamentalism and what being converted means to them now. They also talk about not needing to ask for permission and trusting our own stories. What’s your favorite episode? We’re doing a summer series featuring some of the most popular episodes and we want to hear from you! Email us at connect@queertheology.com and let us know which ep is your fave. Galatians 1:11-24 Brothers and sisters, I want you to know that the gospel I preached isn’t human in origin. I didn’t receive it or learn it from a human. It came through a revelation from Jesus Christ.   You heard about my previous life in Judaism, how severely I harassed God’s church and tried to destroy it. I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my peers, because I was much more militant about the traditions of my ancestors. But God had set me apart from birth and called me through his grace. He was pleased to reveal his Son to me, so that I might preach about him to the Gentiles. I didn’t immediately consult with any human being. I didn’t go up to Jerusalem to see the men who were apostles before me either, but I went away into Arabia and I returned again to Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days. But I didn’t see any other of the apostles except James the brother of the Lord. Before God, I’m not lying about the things that I’m writing to you! Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia, but I wasn’t known personally by the Christian churches in Judea. They only heard a report about me: “The man who used to harass us now preaches the faith that he once tried to destroy.” So they were glorifying God because of me. Photo by Sixteen Miles Out The post Don’t Ask Permission [Summer Series] appeared first on Queer Theology.

For the 3rd installation of our 2021 Summer Series, we have an episode that’s a request from one of our listeners, Indigo. You’ll hear her briefly share why this episode is one of her favorites.  It’s important to note the themes we focused on in this creation narrative. We talked about the power of names; the gift of choice God gives us; and the subject of marriage, monogamy, and purity culture. In this throwback episode, Brian referenced understanding this passage better when he dated his first boyfriend. He writes about more here. 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. What’s your favorite episode? We’re doing a summer series featuring some of the most popular episodes and we want to hear from you! Email us at connect@queertheology.com and let us know which ep is your fave. Genesis 2:18-24 Then the Lord God said, “It’s not good that the human is alone. I will make him a helper that is perfect for him.” So the Lord God formed from the fertile land all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky and brought them to the human to see what he would name them. The human gave each living being its name. 20 The human named all the livestock, all the birds in the sky, and all the wild animals. But a helper perfect for him was nowhere to be found. So the Lord God put the human into a deep and heavy sleep, and took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh over it. With the rib taken from the human, the Lord God fashioned a woman and brought her to the human being. The human said, “This one finally is bone from my bones and flesh from my flesh. She will be called a woman because from a man she was taken.” This is the reason that a man leaves his father and mother and embraces his wife, and they become one flesh. Photo by Casey Horner The post God Trusts You To Pick Your Partner [Summer Series] appeared first on Queer Theology.

For this week’s Summer Series Favorites episode, Brian chose an episode from 7 years ago. This Palm Sunday episode had to do with ACT UP and Queer Nation and queering a very familiar passage from Matthew. Brian and Fr. Shay chat about the implications for queer and trans organizing, and what the Palm Sunday story has in common with ACT UP and Queer Nation. How is Palm Sunday similar to political protest? 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. What’s your favorite episode? We’re doing a summer series featuring some of the most popular episodes and we want to hear from you! Email us at connect@queertheology.com and let us know which ep is your fave. Matthew 21:1-11 When they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus gave two disciples a task. He said to them, “Go into the village over there. As soon as you enter, you will find a donkey tied up and a colt with it. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, say that their master needs them.” He sent them off right away. Now this happened to fulfill what the prophet said, Say to Daughter Zion, “Look, your king is coming to you, humble and riding on a donkey, and on a colt the donkey’s offspring.” The disciples went and did just as Jesus had ordered them. They brought the donkey and the colt and laid their clothes on them. Then he sat on them. Now a large crowd spread their clothes on the road. Others cut palm branches off the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds in front of him and behind him shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord![b]Hosanna in the highest!” And when Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up. “Who is this?” they asked. The crowds answered, “It’s the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.” The post Jesus Steals A Donkey [Summer Series] appeared first on Queer Theology.

For our very first Summer Series Favorites episode, Fr. Shay chose one from 2018 where Jesus tells his followers to leave and shake the dust of their sandals if they encounter towns unwilling to listen to their message. This passage from Mark 6:1-13 is one that we’ve talked about a few times in podcast episodes and articles over the years. But there’s still new insight to be found which is why we’re talking about it again! In this episode, we explore the impulse folks have to stay in churches, communities, and families that don’t affirm and won’t listen to them… where that comes from, can we be helpful if we stay, what happens if we leave, who benefits?   Referenced in this episode: Episode looking at Mark 1 where John the Baptist also says to “change your heart and life” “Shake It Off, Shake It Off” — our first time looking at this passage   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.   What’s your favorite episode? We’re doing a summer series featuring some of the most popular episodes and we want to hear from you! Email us at connect@queertheology.com and let us know which ep is your fave. Mark 6:1-13 Jesus left that place and came to his hometown. His disciples followed him. On the Sabbath, he began to teach in the synagogue. Many who heard him were surprised. “Where did this man get all this? What’s this wisdom he’s been given? What about the powerful acts accomplished through him? Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t he Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” They were repulsed by him and fell into sin.   Jesus said to them, “Prophets are honored everywhere except in their own hometowns, among their relatives, and in their own households.” He was unable to do any miracles there, except that he placed his hands on a few sick people and healed them. He was appalled by their disbelief.   Then Jesus traveled through the surrounding villages teaching.   He called for the Twelve and sent them out in pairs. He gave them authority over unclean spirits. He instructed them to take nothing for the journey except a walking stick—no bread, no bags, and no money in their belts. He told them to wear sandals but not to put on two shirts. He said, “Whatever house you enter, remain there until you leave that place. If a place doesn’t welcome you or listen to you, as you leave, shake the dust off your feet as a witness against them.” So they went out and proclaimed that people should change their hearts and lives. They cast out many demons, and they anointed many sick people with olive oil and healed them. Photo by Egor Vikhrev The post Leaving Can Be Good For You & Them [Summer Series] appeared first on Queer Theology.

In last week’s episode, Brian shared his first experiences of what set his queer journey into motion. He also shared how finding the “perfect” explanation to the clobber passages left him feeling unfulfilled. In this week’s episode, we hear Brian talk about finding queer friends, meeting LGBTQ folks from all walks of life, and forming a community. He also shared how he and Fr. Shay officially started the website QueerTheology.com and how, through this effort, they were able to share the queer gospel to more and more folks.  Links mentioned in this episode: Daily Affirmations  Moving beyond the “Is it OK” question to see how queerness and faith enrich one another LGBTQ Christian merch  What’s your favorite episode? We’re doing a summer series featuring some of the most popular episodes and we want to hear from you! Email us at connect@queertheology.com and let us know which ep is your fave. The post When It All Began: Brian’s Story Part 2 appeared first on Queer Theology.

A few weeks ago, Fr. Shay shared with us how his conservative upbringing impacted his faith and sexuality and how he has found freedom in being himself in spite of it all. This week, we hear from the other half of QueerTheology.com. Brian goes back to the beginning when most love stories begin — high school. Apart from sharing how falling in love for the first time ruined him, he also shares the steps he took to heal from the hurt and find the faith he has today. When did your queer journey start, and what was your earliest memory of it? We would love to hear from you.  To watch the short video series mentioned in this episode, click here. 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 When It All Began: Brian’s Story appeared first on Queer Theology.

This week’s episode will revolve around the text from Ezekiel 37:1-14. Before going into the text and the sermon, Brian shares a story of how he and Fr. Shay met. There’s some disagreement about exactly when and where it was, but Brian clearly remembers the first time he heard Fr. Shay preach. Brain says that Fr. Shay’s sermon that day enabled him to see a clearer picture of God. So they thought it’d be perfect for Fr. Shay to share his sermon in today’s podcast.   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 Darius Bashar The post Dry Bones Back to Life appeared first on Queer Theology.

For the past few weeks, I (Fr. Shay) have been sharing my story through articles on the website and we know a lot of you are enjoying reading those and getting to know me more. Soon, it will be Brian’s turn to do the same. We decided that on this episode (and for the next several weeks), we will be reading the stories aloud since audio versions are cooler than written ones sometimes, right?  This week, join Fr. Shay as he journeys back to his childhood in Pennsylvania. He talks about being homeschooled and “rebelling” by wanting to wear pants instead of skirts and dresses, about boycotting Ellen while secretly reconciling his admiration for her, and finally about the Summer That Changed Everything.  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 Transitioning My Body & Faith appeared first on Queer Theology.

We received another question about polyamory, and we’re happy to be getting more and more of these types of questions because it means people are starting to get more comfortable talking about it! This listener from Tumblr is in a mono-poly relationship: meaning one is monogamous while the other one is poly. The listener asks, “Any advice on how we can both feel comfortable and able to be our full selves in the relationship?” We then queer the text from Acts 10 which had such a strong message about inclusivity. If people are going to start throwing texts against queer folks, they should learn from the books of Acts. Tune in to hear how we queer the text and what message it brings to queer folks and those who are continuing to do the work.  Key takeaways: Excited for Spring [0:39]  Importance of a morning routine [2:49] Listener question from Tumblr about the boundaries of polyamory [6:53] Mono-poly relationships are okay [7:50]  Tip: open communication [10:22] Queering the text: Acts 10:44-48 [11:49] Messages of inclusion are prevalent in the book of Acts [12:41] Push the circle bigger and wider [15:42]  The obsessions with genitals [16:14] People and the Holy Spirit [16:46] The core message of queering theology [17:46]   Links mentioned: Polyamory and Christianity   Videos:  What is Boundary? Open Relationship Rules Is an open relationship right for me?   Books mentioned: Building Open Relationships by Dr. Liz Powell Attached by Amir Levine and Rachel Heller    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.    Acts 10:44-48 While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell on everyone who heard the word. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. They heard them speaking in other languages and praising God. Peter asked, “These people have received the Holy Spirit just as we have. Surely no one can stop them from being baptized with water, can they?” He directed that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they invited Peter to stay for several days.   Photo by adrianna geo The post Push The Boundaries – Acts 10:44-48 appeared first on Queer Theology.

In today’s episode, we respond to a listener question: They ask us to elaborate on how we interpret a couple of passages from Mark, John, and Romans. Tune in to hear our answers and why we think it’s not good to be distracted from the hard questions with all of these snippets of verses.  We then queered the text from 1 John 4:7-21, which ties in neatly with today’s listener question. We talked about how we all need to unhook our fear of an angry God or Hell. We are regarded as “good” just as we are and that there is nothing we can do for God not to love us anymore. We are called to do the work, be part of the community, love other people as a response out of love and not out of obligation.  Key takeaways: Life and societal updates [0:50] Listener question about sins and it is wiped clean by Christ [6:24] No snippy soundbites [8:35] The assumption that you can weave different passages together [10:20] The arcs throughout scripture [12:35] What does it mean to have faith in Christ? [16:35] We are invited into the work [19:57] Queering the text: 1 John [21:31] “Agape” on Brian’s wrist and the story behind it [23:24] How the verse is full of God’s love [25:31] Different phrases, different meanings [26:05] A couple of points to ponder on [27:05] Links mentioned: Christianity Checklist? Is It All About Getting Into Heaven? 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 John 4:7-21 Dear friends, let’s love each other, because love is from God, and everyone who loves is born from God and knows God. The person who doesn’t love does not know God, because God is love. This is how the love of God is revealed to us: God has sent his only Son into the world so that we can live through him. This is love: it is not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son as the sacrifice that deals with our sins.   Dear friends, if God loved us this way, we also ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. If we love each other, God remains in us and his love is made perfect in us. This is how we know we remain in him and he remains in us, because he has given us a measure of his Spirit. We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son to be the savior of the world. If any of us confess that Jesus is God’s Son, God remains in us and we remain in God. We have known and have believed the love that God has for us.   God is love, and those who remain in love remain in God and God remains in them. This is how love has been perfected in us, so that we can have confidence on the Judgment Day, because we are exactly the same as God is in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear expects punishment. The person who is afraid has not been made perfect in love. We love because God first loved us. Those who say, “I love God” and hate their brothers or sisters are liars. After all, those who don’t love their brothers or sisters whom they have seen can hardly love God whom they have not seen! This commandment we have from him: Those who claim to love God ought to love their brother and sister also. Photo by Emmanuel Phaeton  The post Unhook From The Fear of Hell – 1 John 4:7-21 appeared first on Queer Theology.