Queer Theology

In today’s episode, we answer a very interesting Tumblr question on why Christians continue to throw Leviticus verses and clobber passages against queer folks. “…if the Old Testament laws were abolished why do Christians continue to use them so intensely against us?” We then queer the text from Genesis about Joseph and his envious brothers. Joseph of Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat fame who was then sold to Midianite traders because his siblings couldn’t tolerate their jealousy anymore. But how do we, queer folks, interpret this passage? Make sure you stay tuned.  Things we talked about: Fr. Shay’s lockdown realizations: adjusting to the new normal [0:51] Brian’s life updates: relationships; reconnecting; conflicts and intimacy [3:47] Tumblr question [9:00] “Abomination” looks good on posters [9:42] Conservative evangelical Christians do a sloppy read of the Bible [10:55] Queering the Bible: Genesis [17:16] Figuring out why one is oppressed [20:58] BIG dreams can be scary for people [22:23] People who openly talk about their dreams are getting death threats [25:33] Protecting the dreams of others [26:02] Resources for this episode Sanctuary Collective How you can know it’s OK to be LGBTQ & Christian? (What to do with the “clobber passages”) More “is it OK” resources Rabbi Ruti Regan Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg How To Read The Bible 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  Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28 Jacob lived in the land of Canaan where his father was an immigrant. This is the account of Jacob’s descendants. Joseph was 17 years old and tended the flock with his brothers. While he was helping the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father’s wives, Joseph told their father unflattering things about them. Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons because he was born when Jacob was old. Jacob had made for him a long robe. When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of his brothers, they hated him and couldn’t even talk nicely to him.   Joseph’s brothers went to tend their father’s flocks near Shechem. Israel said to Joseph, “Aren’t your brothers tending the sheep near Shechem? Come, I’ll send you to them.”   And he said, “I’m ready.”   Jacob said to him, “Go! Find out how your brothers are and how the flock is, and report back to me.”   So Jacob sent him from the Hebron Valley. When he approached Shechem, a man found him wandering in the field and asked him, “What are you looking for?”   Joseph said, “I’m looking for my brothers. Tell me, where are they tending the sheep?”   The man said, “They left here. I heard them saying, ‘Let’s go to Dothan.’” So Joseph went after his brothers and found them in Dothan.   They saw Joseph in the distance before he got close to them, and they plotted to kill him. The brothers said to each other, “Here comes the big dreamer. Come on now, let’s kill him and throw him into one of the cisterns, and we’ll say a wild animal devoured him. Then we will see what becomes of his dreams!”   When Reuben heard what they said, he saved him from them, telling them, “Let’s not take his life.” Reuben said to them, “Don’t spill his blood! Throw him into this desert cistern, but don’t lay a hand on him.” He intended to save Joseph from them and take him back to his father.   When Joseph reached his brothers, they stripped off Joseph’s long robe, took him, and threw him into the cistern, an empty cistern with no water in it. When they sat down to eat, they looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead, with camels carrying sweet resin, medicinal resin, and fragrant resin on their way down to Egypt. Judah said to his brothers, “What do we gain if we kill our brother and hide his blood? Come on, let’s sell him to the Ishmaelites. Let’s not harm him because he’s our brother; he’s family.” His brothers agreed. When some Midianite traders passed by, they pulled Joseph up out of the cistern. They sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver, and they brought Joseph to Egypt. Photo by Peter Fogden The post What Do You Dream Of? – Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28 appeared first on Queer Theology.

Today’s listener question is something that we know a lot of people can relate to, but might be too afraid or shy to ask about. It deals with the guilt of masturbation and watching porn. “My main concern is that I have prayed to God asking for forgiveness… even made several promises that I end up breaking. What should I do?” Then we queer a well-known text from Matthew: the story of Jesus feeding 5,000 people. This is a really beautiful story of people taking care of each other and of sharing what they have. It’s also worth noting that this is what we queer folks do. We provide shelter for those who have been kicked out of their homes, we give what we can give to help someone pay for medical expenses, and we’re just basically each other’s support system.  Things we talked about: Fr. Shay’s quick getaway experience [0:46] Brian shares his 2020 goal [2:05] Listener question [6:29] The conservative ideology of who God is [8:23] Reconceptualizing what sin is [9:48] Masturbation: taking ownership of your body [13:11] Queering the Bible: Matthew [16:07] Queer folks simply just taking care of each other [18:56] What Jesus did was politically subversive [21:24] Mentioned in this episode Sanctuary Collective 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  Matthew 14:13-21 When Jesus heard about John, he withdrew in a boat to a deserted place by himself. When the crowds learned this, they followed him on foot from the cities. When Jesus arrived and saw a large crowd, he had compassion for them and healed those who were sick. That evening his disciples came and said to him, “This is an isolated place and it’s getting late. Send the crowds away so they can go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” But Jesus said to them, “There’s no need to send them away. You give them something to eat.” They replied, “We have nothing here except five loaves of bread and two fish.” He said, “Bring them here to me.” He ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. He took the five loaves of bread and the two fish, looked up to heaven, blessed them and broke the loaves apart and gave them to his disciples. Then the disciples gave them to the crowds. Everyone ate until they were full, and they filled twelve baskets with the leftovers. About five thousand men plus women and children had eaten. Photo by Branimir Balogović The post Miracle or Mutual Aid – Matthew 14:13-21 appeared first on Queer Theology.

A listener wants to know “How do you move past the difficulty of reconciling gender issues found in the Bible? How can you simply focus on Jesus and the faith that you are keeping or trying to build?” We answer that question, but maybe not in the way you’re expecting. We also queer a text from 1 Kings where we are reminded, through Solomon, that wisdom and ability to discern are far more valuable than any worldly treasures. There’s also a reminder to first take the time to learn, grow yourself… and then, change the world. Things we talked about: Opening chat: this week, it’s all about books [0:39] Anonymous listener question [9:07] Can you come out and keep your faith mostly as-is? [10:38] Anti-LGBTQ Christianity is obsessed with sex and gender [12:38] Queering the lectionary text: 1 Kings 3:5-12 [16:00] Desire for more wisdom and deeply learn [17:48] How LGBTQ people are cut off from our family history [19:25] Why it’s important to honor the experiences of the youth [21:17] Be whole and healthy by taking care of yourself [22:36]  Tap into the vast work that’s already being done [23:22] Books mentioned Color of Violence edited by INCITE! Women of Color Against Violence Captive Genders Queer (In)Justice by Andrea Ritchie, Joey L. Mogul, and Kay Whitlock Shadowshaper Legacy by Daniel José Older Mentioned in this episode Sanctuary Collective queertheology.com/guide queertheology.com/resurrection 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 Kings 3:5-12 The Lord appeared to Solomon at Gibeon in a dream at night. God said, “Ask whatever you wish, and I’ll give it to you.”   Solomon responded, “You showed so much kindness to your servant my father David when he walked before you in truth, righteousness, and with a heart true to you. You’ve kept this great loyalty and kindness for him and have now given him a son to sit on his throne. And now, Lord my God, you have made me, your servant, king in my father David’s place. But I’m young and inexperienced. I know next to nothing. But I’m here, your servant, in the middle of the people you have chosen, a large population that can’t be numbered or counted due to its vast size. Please give your servant a discerning mind in order to govern your people and to distinguish good from evil, because no one is able to govern this important people of yours without your help.”   It pleased the Lord that Solomon had made this request. God said to him, “Because you have asked for this instead of requesting long life, wealth, or victory over your enemies—asking for discernment so as to acquire good judgment— I will now do just what you said. Look, I hereby give you a wise and understanding mind. There has been no one like you before now, nor will there be anyone like you afterward. Photo by NESA by Makers The post Learn & Change the World – 1 Kings 3:5-12 appeared first on Queer Theology.

In your faith journey, when did you notice the Bible’s inaccuracies and contradictions? Did this somehow challenge your faith? Today we answer a question from a Patreon supporter who wonders “How does one keep one’s faith when the gospels are so discrepant?”  Then, we queer the text from Romans that is very timely with the pandemic and how some are acting in selfish ways. It also reminds us to step into, and even celebrate, freedom where we have it rather than focusing on the fear of losing it. Embrace the fear and use it to motivate you to continue to do the work. Things we talked about: New fellowship for Fr. Shay [1:10] Brian’s Danish language learning adventure [2:32] Listener question from Patreon [6:12] Christianity of conservative Evangelicalism = house of cards [9:12] When and why the idea that “the Bible is inerrant” was created [11:16] We queer the lectionary text from Romans 8:12-25 [14:37] What is our communal obligation? [17:15] How fear manifests itself [18:53] Choose liberation over fear [21:13] Mentioned in this episode Sanctuary Collective Last week’s episode: queertheology.com/337 A Guide To Recovering From Fundamentalism 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  Romans 8:12-25 So then, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation, but it isn’t an obligation to ourselves to live our lives on the basis of selfishness. If you live on the basis of selfishness, you are going to die. But if by the Spirit you put to death the actions of the body, you will live. All who are led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons and daughters. You didn’t receive a spirit of slavery to lead you back again into fear, but you received a Spirit that shows you are adopted as his children. With this Spirit, we cry, “Abba, Father.” The same Spirit agrees with our spirit, that we are God’s children. But if we are children, we are also heirs. We are God’s heirs and fellow heirs with Christ, if we really suffer with him so that we can also be glorified with him. I believe that the present suffering is nothing compared to the coming glory that is going to be revealed to us. The whole creation waits breathless with anticipation for the revelation of God’s sons and daughters. Creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice—it was the choice of the one who subjected it—but in the hope that the creation itself will be set free from slavery to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of God’s children. We know that the whole creation is groaning together and suffering labor pains up until now. And it’s not only the creation. We ourselves who have the Spirit as the first crop of the harvest also groan inside as we wait to be adopted and for our bodies to be set free. We were saved in hope. If we see what we hope for, that isn’t hope. Who hopes for what they already see? But if we hope for what we don’t see, we wait for it with patience. Photo by Sammie Vasquez The post Step Into Fear, Be Brave – Romans 8:12-25 appeared first on Queer Theology.

In today’s episode, we answer a reader question from Tumblr regarding ways to talk about the Bible as communicative of revelation. This person also asks, “Or are the scriptures only inspired in a relativized sense alongside great works of literature, poetry, etc ?” We then queer the text from Psalm that perfectly ties to the Tumblr question. Stay tuned to know what we think about this poem and how this text was written to and about the divine. Moreover, we realize that this poem resembles closely to the work that we do as we light the path for others.  Things we talked about: Hamilton and Fr. Shay’s upcoming trip [0:56] Brian’s birthday plans [1:53] Reader question on Tumblr [5:00] Is the Bible uniquely authoritative? [7:17] How literature, poetry, and experiences can help us understand the Bible and the divine better [12:43] The false dichotomy [14:40] We queer the lectionary text from Psalm 119:105-112 [16:43] This text was written to and about the divine [18:45] The Bible as an infallible word of God? [19:20] Illuminate the path to realize our inherent goodness [21:22] Mentioned in this episode Free online workshop on how to read the Bible coming soon. Stay in the loop: queertheology.com/howtoreadthebible Sanctuary Collective 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  Psalm 119:105-112 Your word is a lamp before my feet     and a light for my journey. I have sworn, and I fully mean it:     I will keep your righteous rules. I have been suffering so much—     Lord, make me live again according to your promise. Please, Lord, accept my spontaneous gifts of praise.     Teach me your rules! Though my life is constantly in danger,     I won’t forget your Instruction. Though the wicked have set a trap for me,     I won’t stray from your precepts. Your laws are my possession forever     because they are my heart’s joy. I have decided to keep your statutes forever, every last one. Photo by Julia Florczak The post The Lamp, The Light, The Path – Psalm 119:105-112 appeared first on Queer Theology.

Today we answer another Tumblr question on the types of questions to ask during Bible or Christian studies that will stump teachers and other students at their unaffirming Christian school. We queer this week’s sensual text from Song of Solomon which we’ve never really done in the years that we’ve been queering the lectionary text. We talked about the importance of understanding and accepting that sex, sensuality, and pleasure are integral parts of being humans.  Things we talked about: Shay’s update: Disclosure documentary on Netflix [0:36] Brina’s excitement over Hamilton premiere on Disney Plus [2:48] Reader question from Tumblr on questions to asks during classes to get students and teachers thinking about LGBTQ folks [6:15] We queer the lectionary texts from Song of Solomon 2:8-13 [15:28] What does it mean that this book of the Bible is an epic sex poem [16:49] Does this text speak only about married couples? [17:37] Sex is a big part of being human for many people [22:53] Joy and pleasure are part of life [23:50] Helpful links Is it OK? A 7-day series Self-Care for LGBTQ Christians Jesus is Polyamorous Waitlist for Queering The Bible 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   Song of Solomon 2:8-13 Listen! It’s my lover: here he comes now,         leaping upon the mountains,         bounding over the hills. My lover is like a gazelle         or a young stag. Here he stands now,         outside our wall,         peering through the windows,         peeking through the lattices.   My lover spoke and said to me, “Rise up, my dearest,         my fairest, and go. Here, the winter is past;         the rains have come and gone. Blossoms have appeared in the land;         the season of singing has arrived,         and the sound of the turtledove is heard in our land. The green fruit is on the fig tree,         and the grapevines in bloom are fragrant. Rise up, my dearest,         my fairest, and go. Photo by Sharon McCutcheon The post The Bible is Sexy AF – Song of Solomon 2:8-13 appeared first on Queer Theology.

In today’s episode, we respond to a reader from Tumblr about managing a long-distance relationship while living with conservative family members. We share our own personal experiences, what we went through, things we did to keep ourselves sane, and so much more. We also queer this week’s texts which come from Jeremiah 28:5-9 & Matthew 10:40-42. We tackled the importance of understanding biblical contexts in order to better appreciate and explore this week’s lectionary text. We also discussed the prophecies the prophets made and what was their purpose for doing it. There’s so much good stuff in today’s podcast so make sure to stay tuned. Things we talked about: Brain’s life update and birthday plans [0:42] Queering the Bible course update and reunion call [2:14] Fr. Shay’s life updates [3:27] Discussion about defunding the police [4:37] Is wearing a mask really a sign of fear and weakness? [6:03] Reader question from Tumblr on managing a long-distance relationship while living with strict Christians [8:36] We queer the lectionary texts from Jeremiah 28:5-9 & Matthew 10:40-42 [19:31] Understand the context of exile to understand Hebrew scripture [22:05] Why Fr. Shay finds Jeremiah fascinating [22:49] The prophet’s prophecies and what they are [23:49] No Justice; No Peace [24:46] Why do we revile prophets? [27:28] Helpful links An LGBTQ Christian Guide to Self Care (good for folks who have unaffirming people in their lives) Is it OK to be LGBTQ & Christian? Waitlist for Queering The Bible 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  Jeremiah 28:5-9 Then the prophet Jeremiah responded to Hananiah in the presence of the priests and all the people who were standing in the Lord’s temple. The prophet Jeremiah said: “Indeed. May the Lord do just as you have said! May the Lord fulfill the words that you have prophesied and bring back from Babylon the equipment of the Lord’s temple and all the exiles to this place. However, listen closely to what I have to say to you and all the people: The prophets who came before you and me long ago prophesied war, disaster, and disease against many lands and great kingdoms. So the prophet who prophesies peace is recognized as one who is actually sent by the Lord only when that prophet’s message is fulfilled.” Matthew 10:40-42 “Those who receive you are also receiving me, and those who receive me are receiving the one who sent me. Those who receive a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward. Those who receive a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. I assure you that everybody who gives even a cup of cold water to these little ones because they are my disciples will certainly be rewarded.” Photo by Robert Koorenny The post Responding To The Call – Jeremiah 28:5-9 & Matthew 10:40-42 appeared first on Queer Theology.

In this episode, we answer a question from a Tumblr follower about finding a way to connect with God. For someone who grew up without a strong, solid foundation it can be very difficult to believe in God. “I just find it difficult to believe that God is really there, that they really exist. I don’t know what to do next.” We also queer this week’s text from Matthew 10:26-39 which reminds us that we are indeed called to fight. That following our faith asks us to speak our truth and in that same essence, prepare ourselves for the onslaught of pain and conflicts. We’ve heard of the phrase, “pick up and carry your cross…”, but what does it really mean? Stay tuned! In this episode, we talk about: How are things at Fr. Shay’s location [0:47] Brian remembers the Pulse nightclub massacre [3:47] Your personal role in all that’s happening in the world [5:04] The arc doesn’t naturally bend towards justice [5:42] The internal work you need to start doing [7:02] Reader question from Tumblr on how to connect to God and find his faith [10:50] How most think that God as an anthropomorphic person [13:20] For most, connecting to God means doing the work and noticing the moments of sacredness [15:17] To experience God is to do good to other people [17:17] Invitation to Sanctuary Collective [18:41] We queer the lectionary texts from Matt 10:26-39 [19:13] Emphasis on peaceful fights [21:00] For queer’s who are living their truth, it sometimes creates riffs [25:58] Picking up your cross is scary and what it really means [28:45] On denying jesus before people [30:45] Sometimes when I'm at a gay club, I take a step back & watch my friends shower each other with physical affection. Hugs and kisses and winks and nods and silly faces and pinched cheeks and grinding and making out. If you squint your eyes just right, you can see the Holy Spirit — Brian & Shay | QueerTheology.com (@QTheology) January 18, 2019 Article mentioned in this episode: Skeptics guide to Christianity @ queertheology.com/skeptics 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  Matthew 10:26-39 “Therefore, don’t be afraid of those people because nothing is hidden that won’t be revealed, and nothing secret that won’t be brought out into the open. What I say to you in the darkness, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered, announce from the rooftops. Don’t be afraid of those who kill the body but can’t kill the soul. Instead, be afraid of the one who can destroy both body and soul in hell. Aren’t two sparrows sold for a small coin? But not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father knowing about it already. Even the hairs of your head are all counted. Don’t be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows. “Therefore, everyone who acknowledges me before people, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven. But everyone who denies me before people, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.  “Don’t think that I’ve come to bring peace to the earth. I haven’t come to bring peace but a sword. I’ve come to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. People’s enemies are members of their own households. “Those who love father or mother more than me aren’t worthy of me. Those who love son or daughter more than me aren’t worthy of me. Those who don’t pick up their crosses and follow me aren’t worthy of me. Those who find their lives will lose them, and those who lose their lives because of me will find them. Photo by Clay Banks The post Prophetic Troublemaking – Matthew 10:26-39 appeared first on Queer Theology.

In this episode, we answer a question from a Tumblr follower about how the concept of being saved is uncomfortable. To this person, it feels like they have done something wrong hence, they need to “be saved”. This question actually ties in perfectly to the question we answered from last week: that’s at queertheology.com/332. We also queer this week’s text from Matt 9:35,10:8-23 where we talk about how we are sent out to do the work and proclaim the good news. We are also reminded that if we want to transform the world, it will be an uncomfortable and scary process to go through.  In this episode, we talk about: How are things in Minneapolis going? [0:40] Is the momentum of Black Lives Matter slowing down in LA? [2:32] /li> The work doesn’t stop “mattering”, it takes decades [4:21] Tumblr question on why we need to be “saved” and what did they do wrong? [6:38] The conservative view of salvation [7:05] An alternative idea of salvation [8:37] Our experiences and environment shape us and our values [9:14] The dual meaning of salvation [9:53] We queer the lectionary texts from Matt 9:35,10:8-23 [11:15] Communism and the lectionary text [13:30] Find connections between the Bible and lived experiences [14:39] Proclaiming the good news and being saved [16:14] The pain of the process [16:33] Why is this passage a blueprint? [17:01] Memes on approaching change [18:00] On stepping outside your comfort zone and expanding it [19:33] The transformative power of doing things that scare you [19:54] Articles mentioned in this episode: Why Did Jesus Die (webinar) Prison Abolition Additional Resources: Pamela Lightsey: Our Lives Matter: A Woman: A Womanist Queer Theology James Cone: A Black Theology of Liberation | The Cross & The Lynching Tree Here’s a NPR interview with Rev. Cone “Why Anti-Racism Must Be Part of Our Faith” – IGTV video from Rev. Jacqui Lewis Black Lives Matter The Movement for Black Lives Critical Resistance – an international movement to end the Prison Industrial  Black Visions Collective, Reclaim the Block, MPD150 – learn from Minneapolis groups that have been doing this work for years Sister Outsider – essays and speeches by Audre Lorde Color of Violence a collection of essays by INCITE! Women of Color Against Violence That’s Not How That Works podcast – an exploration of diversity, inclusion, and equity and how these things show up, (or don’t) in our personal and professional communities Still Processing – a New York Times culture podcast “Divine In The Differences” featuring Indigo Rose – Queer Theology podcast episode looking at Romans 1:24 – 2:8 and 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 (with some original poetry!) The Next Question – a web video series exploring how expansive racial justice can be Kat Blaque – YouTuber & children’s illustrator Evelyn From The Internets – digital storyteller, filmmaker, and comedian Meaning Through Movement – a series of virtual fitness & mental health events with Alison Mariella Désir and special guests Anti-Racism Masterclass with Rev. Jacqui Lewis Lisa Sharon Harper – theologian, writer, speaker, and activist ARROWS – entrepreneur, storyteller, and fashion icon (also YouTuber) Purity Culture on-demand workshop with Lola from No Shame Movement If you’re looking for books, check out these Black-owned bookstores 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 Matthew 9:35,10:8-23 Jesus traveled among all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, announcing the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those with skin diseases, and throw out demons. You received without having to pay. Therefore, give without demanding payment. Workers deserve to be fed, so don’t gather gold or silver or copper coins for your money belts to take on your trips. Don’t take a backpack for the road or two shirts or sandals or a walking stick. Whatever city or village you go into, find somebody in it who is worthy and stay there until you go on your way. When you go into a house, say, ‘Peace!’ If the house is worthy, give it your blessing of peace. But if the house isn’t worthy, take back your blessing. If anyone refuses to welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet as you leave that house or city. I assure you that it will be more bearable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on Judgment Day than it will be for that city. “Look, I’m sending you as sheep among wolves. Therefore, be wise as snakes and innocent as doves. Watch out for people—because they will hand you over to councils and they will beat you in their synagogues. They will haul you in front of governors and even kings because of me so that you may give your testimony to them and to the Gentiles. Whenever they hand you over, don’t worry about how to speak or what you will say, because what you can say will be given to you at that moment. You aren’t doing the talking, but the Spirit of my Father is doing the talking through you. Brothers and sisters will hand each other over to be executed. A father will turn his child in. Children will defy their parents and have them executed. Everyone will hate you on account of my name. But whoever stands firm until the end will be saved. Whenever they harass you in one city, escape to the next, because I assure that you will not go through all the cities of Israel before the Human One comes. Photo by Koshu Kunii The post Stand Firm and Be Saved – Matthew 9:35,10:8-23 appeared first on Queer Theology.

Uprisings for Black Lives Matter continue across the country and around the world, after beginning last week in Minneapolis, where Fr. Shay lives, in response to the murder of George Floyd by the police. The movement continues to swell as we recognize Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, and countless others. As we head into LGBTQ Pride month, we recognize the interconnectedness of all our community’s struggles. In this episode, we answer a listener question and talk about the concept of the original sin. “From what I’ve seen, at best, it casts all humans as inherently sinful or lesser (which I don’t believe) and at worst, it’s used as a reason to insult/degrade women.” We also queer this week’s text from 2 Corinthians 13:11-13 & Matthew 28:16-20 which is very timely with what’s going on in the US right now. We are reminded to “Put things in order” or make things right, and to continue to go out there to continue to fight this fight. Black Lives Matter is part of that work. In this episode, we talk about: LGBTQ Pride Month, Stonewall, Black Lives Matter, and the Bible: it’s all connected Listener question regarding Eve and the apple The original sin and how conservative Christianity understands it Reframing the idea of the original sin Original blessing: what our responsibility is? We queer the lectionary texts from 2 Corinthians 13:11-13 & Matthew 28:16-20 What we encourage you to do when reading scriptures On “putting things in order” Harmony and peace? What does it look like? The story of Christian faith: reimagining the world very differently 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   2 Corinthians 13:11-13 Finally, brothers and sisters, good-bye. Put things in order, respond to my encouragement, be in harmony with each other, and live in peace—and the God of love and peace will be with you. Say hello to each other with a holy kiss. All of God’s people say hello to you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.   Matthew 28:16-20 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus told them to go. When they saw him, they worshipped him, but some doubted. Jesus came near and spoke to them, “I’ve received all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything that I’ve commanded you. Look, I myself will be with you every day until the end of this present age.” Photo by Aarón Blanco Tejedor The post Original Blessing, Not Sin – 2 Corinthians 13:11-13 & Matthew 28:16-20 appeared first on Queer Theology.