Queer Theology

We recorded this episode earlier in the week, before the murder of George Floyd by (now former) Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin. On Friday, we quickly recorded a special introduction to briefly address that injustice and the ensuing organization for justice in Minneapolis, where Fr. Shay. A big part of that for us, as white guys, is to listen to and follow the lead of Black organizers. We share some of that in the episode and below. We’ll talk in more depth about this in next week’s episode. Organizations mentioned in the “pre-show” Minnesota Freedom Fund Reclaim The Block Black Visions Collective MPD 150 Find a chapter of Showing Up For Racial Justice (SURJ) near you or how to start one if there isn’t one near you Anti-Racism Resources for White People The Color of Violence by INCITE! Women of Color Against Violence Happy Pentecost! In today’s episode, we answer a reader/listener question that was sent via Tumblr about heaven, hell, and satan. This reader was also wondering if NOT believing any of this would automatically cancel out your Christianity? If you’re interested to know our thoughts around that, then stay tuned.  We also queer this week’s text from Acts 2:1-21 and we share our love for this passage. We also share how this passage is very relatable for queer folks and the work that we do. There’s so much that we’ve unpacked in this episode and we’re excited to dive into it with all of you. In this episode, we talk about: Fr. Shay’s life updates: reading books and cooking on an instant pot [0:40] Brian’s current book read: Autoboyography [2:00] Queering the Bible course update [2:57] Shoutout to Jodi Hasel [4:03] Tumblr listener/reader question about the afterlife [4:32] Reacting to conservative understandings of heaven and hell [5:44] Can you still be a Christian if you don’t believe in the afterlife? [6:35] What does “believing” really mean? [8:09] We queer a text from Acts 2:1-21 [9:53] Why does Brian love this passage? [10:18] On bringing our WHOLE self to this passage [11:11] A sense of community [12:15] What are we being emboldened to say right now? [14:12] Pentecost and LGBT Pride festivals [14:53] Check QueerTheology.com/queerbible to stay on the loop [16:31] Articles mentioned in the podcast: Is It All About Getting Into Heaven? Holy Flamers: Pentecost Sunday 2013 The Power Of 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  Acts 2:1-21 When Pentecost Day arrived, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound from heaven like the howling of a fierce wind filled the entire house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be individual flames of fire alighting on each one of them. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit enabled them to speak. There were pious Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. When they heard this sound, a crowd gathered. They were mystified because everyone heard them speaking in their native languages. They were surprised and amazed, saying, “Look, aren’t all the people who are speaking Galileans, every one of them? How then can each of us hear them speaking in our native language? Parthians, Medes, and Elamites; as well as residents of Mesopotamia, Judea, and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the regions of Libya bordering Cyrene; and visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism), Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the mighty works of God in our own languages!” They were all surprised and bewildered. Some asked each other, “What does this mean?” Others jeered at them, saying, “They’re full of new wine!” Peter stood with the other eleven apostles. He raised his voice and declared, “Judeans and everyone living in Jerusalem! Know this! Listen carefully to my words! These people aren’t drunk, as you suspect; after all, it’s only nine o’clock in the morning! Rather, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel: In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people.     Your sons and daughters will prophesy.     Your young will see visions.     Your elders will dream dreams.     Even upon my servants, men and women,         I will pour out my Spirit in those days,         and they will prophesy. I will cause wonders to occur in the heavens above     and signs on the earth below,         blood and fire and a cloud of smoke. The sun will be changed into darkness,     and the moon will be changed into blood,         before the great and spectacular day of the Lord comes. And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Photo by Andrej Lišakov The post Christianity Checklist? – Acts 2:1-21 appeared first on Queer Theology.

Like most people who love music and art, we understand them as a “voice” or expression of our soul. Art can express and reflect our values. Sometimes, worship music or Christian movies are thought of as separate from other types of art. Is that helpful? And what about Christian media for progressive and LGBTQ people? We address a listener question from our Tumblr on just that topic in today’s episode. We also queer this week’s text from Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 which ties beautiful. Psalms were songs, what might they teach us about “worship music” today? We explore the intersection of worship music and protest songs? Songs that empower us and allow us to continue the fight.  This is going to be a very lovely, yet thought-provoking episode which we know you all will love. So stay tuned. In this episode, we talk about: Brian’s life and language learning update [0:35] Fr. Shay’s life and church work update [1:59] Shoutout to Caryn Saxon who is a long-time supporter and was a guest on the podcast [3:53] Tumblr listener question on Christian music and movies [4:22]  Warning: Fr. Shay has strong feelings about this topic [5:00] Have you heard of a Christian knock-off of the High School Musical? [5:29] Art and Christianity: the effects on spirituality [6:40] Dixie Chicks’ music and Brian [7:50] We queer a text from Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 [8:53] Perhaps a different type of Christian music? [10:55] What if hymns were protest songs? [12:40] The power of marginalized folks’ voices [13:30] “Die Cis Scum” and how it affected Brian [14:54] A Broadway musical lyric to bring us home! [16:12] Name that tune: Contemporary Christian Music Edition 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 68:1-10, 32-35 Let God rise up; let his enemies scatter; let those who hate him run scared before him! Like smoke is driven away, drive them away! Like wax melting before fire, let the wicked perish before God! But let the righteous be glad and celebrate before God. Let them rejoice with gladness! Sing to God! Sing praises to his name! Exalt the one who rides the clouds! The Lord is his name. Celebrate before him! Father of orphans and defender of widows is God in his holy habitation. God settles the lonely in their homes; he sets prisoners free with happiness, but the rebellious dwell in a parched land. When you went forth before your people, God, when you marched through the wasteland, Selah the earth shook! Yes, heaven poured down before God, the one from Sinai— before God, the God of Israel! You showered down abundant rain, God; when your inheritance grew weary, you restored it yourself, and your creatures settled in it. In your goodness, God, you provided for the poor. Sing to God, all kingdoms of the earth! Sing praises to my Lord. Selah Sing to the one who rides through heaven, the most ancient heaven. Look! God sends forth his voice, his mighty voice. Recognize how strong God is! His majesty extends over Israel; his strength is in the clouds. You are awesome, God, in your sanctuaries— the God of Israel who gives strength and power to his people! Bless God! Photo by Jason Rosewell The post From Worship Songs to Protest Hymns – Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 appeared first on Queer Theology.

In today’s episode, we talk about very important topics like self-care and mental health as we answer an anonymous question from a listener. The question deals with giving oneself permission to be human, but how does one do that? And what does the Bible say about this problem? We also queer this week’s text from John 14:15-21. We remind everyone to take the time to accept and honor the divinity that is within us. That while it feels like the world is oppressing us, we can be comforted that Jesus is with us and we have our community behind us, rallying with us. So stay tuned and we hope you learn something from this episode. In this episode, we talk about: Life and weather updates from Fr. Shay and Brian [0:41] Shoutout to Zabby Heying who joined 6 months ago [3:55] An anonymous listener question about what does the Bible say about self-care [4:28]  The Bible talks a lot about mental health, but it’s not the only tool available [5:04] Elijah and his depression [6:16] Jesus’ self-care practice [6:54] Join us in Sanctuary Collective [7:52] We queer a text from John 14:15-21 [8:49] There’s more to the scripture: honor the divinity inside of you [10:16] The feeling of being orphaned [11:24]   The assurance of having a comforter in Jesus and in our community [11:53] Fr. Shay hates the gospel of John because… [12:17] The spirit in the queer people [13:07] 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  John 14:15-21 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. I will ask the Father, and he will send another Companion, who will be with you forever. This Companion is the Spirit of Truth, whom the world can’t receive because it neither sees him nor recognizes him. You know him, because he lives with you and will be with you. “I won’t leave you as orphans. I will come to you. Soon the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Because I live, you will live too. On that day you will know that I am in my Father, you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commandments and keeps them loves me. Whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them.” Photo by Greg Rakozy The post Your Inner Divinity – John 14:15-21 appeared first on Queer Theology.

This episode is filled with so much good stuff and we’re excited for you to dive in. We have a question from Bella about how to talk about your faith without making other people uncomfortable. How do we disconnect sharing our faith from some people’s ideas about evangelising people. We also queer this week’s passage from 1 Peter 2:2-10. We talk about what it means and feels like to be nourished by God’s word and how the experience of queerness and transness can be a touchpoint for the entire church. So stay tuned and enjoy this episode. In this episode, we talk about: Brian talks about learning Danish and cooking [0:00] Fr. Shay talks about cooking monstastic soups [1:26] Shout out to a new Patreon supporter [3:14] A question from Bella about how to talk about your faith [4:04] Fr. Shay talks about the pressure to evangelize that he grew up with [5:11] Brian shares about how progressive folks sometime move too far in the other direction [6:15] Fr. Shay talks about disconnecting sharing from conversion [9:03] Invitation to Sanctuary Collective [10:33] We queer a text from 1 Peter 2:2-10 [11:06] Brian talks about the joy of being nourished by God’s Word [12:45] Fr. Shay talks about what it means to taste that the Lord is good [13:50] Brian delves into the power of learning to trust your body [14:35] Fr. Shay talks about the power of those rejected to build something incredible [15:16] 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 Peter 2:2-10 Instead, like a newborn baby, desire the pure milk of the word. Nourished by it, you will grow into salvation, since you have tasted that the Lord is good. Now you are coming to him as to a living stone. Even though this stone was rejected by humans, from God’s perspective it is chosen, valuable. You yourselves are being built like living stones into a spiritual temple. You are being made into a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. Thus it is written in scripture, Look! I am laying a cornerstone in Zion, chosen, valuable. The person who believes in him will never be shamed. So God honors you who believe. For those who refuse to believe, though, the stone the builders tossed aside has become the capstone. This is a stone that makes people stumble and a rock that makes them fall. Because they refuse to believe in the word, they stumble. Indeed, this is the end to which they were appointed. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people who are God’s own possession. You have become this people so that you may speak of the wonderful acts of the one who called you out of darkness into his amazing light. Once you weren’t a people, but now you are God’s people. Once you hadn’t received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Photo by Sharon McCutcheon The post Queerness is a Cornerstone – 1 Peter 2:2-10 appeared first on Queer Theology.

This episode is filled with so much good stuff and we’re excited for you to dive in. First off, we have a question from Em about how best to find affirming churches. What are the best resources to use to find a community to be part of especially in areas where religious establishments are often homophobic and transphobic? We also queer this week’s passage from Acts 2:42-47, which is actually one of Brian’s favorites. How the message clearly speaks to us queers and how it simply shows that we are in a very caring community. So stay tuned and enjoy this episode. In this episode, we talk about: Catching up on quarantine [0:00] Shout out to a new Patreon supporter [3:42] A question from Em about finding an affirming church [7:10] Websites you can use to find an affirming church in your area [5:15] Specific tips on how to search online for searches [7:00] Red flags to look out for [7:45] How you can use social media  [9:15] A few recommendations for streaming services and virtual church [11:35] Invitation to Sanctuary Collective [11:53] We queer a text from Acts 2:42-47 [12:35] How Brian experienced this text in his real-life through queerness [13:50] Echoes of this passage from a queer culture in the 80s [15:15] What it means to be “saved” in the context of this passage [17:25] “If someone finds the goodness of God because they are no longer in debt, what a gift that is.” [18:20] What might it mean like to “get back to the root of the Bible”? [19:52] Assignment for you! Yes you, listeners. [20:16] 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 2:42-47 The believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the community, to their shared meals, and to their prayers. A sense of awe came over everyone. God performed many wonders and signs through the apostles. All the believers were united and shared everything. They would sell pieces of property and possessions and distribute the proceeds to everyone who needed them. Every day, they met together in the temple and ate in their homes. They shared food with gladness and simplicity. They praised God and demonstrated God’s goodness to everyone. The Lord added daily to the community those who were being saved. Photo by Jack Sharp The post Queerness is Caring – Acts 2:42-47 appeared first on Queer Theology.

In today’s episode, we answer a reader question about how certain ideas about what happened on the cross (what theology geeks call “penal substitutionary atonement”) and other harmful interpretation passages can foster shame and decrease a queer person’s self-esteem. “For some reason, this is something I still struggle with, perhaps due to the toxic church environment I grew up in.”  We also queer this week’s passage from Luke 24:13-35. We talk about how beautiful it is for Jesus to have made an impact on his disciples that it allows him to reveal himself through simple gestures: gestures and actions that are somehow recognizable to those closest to him.  In this episode, we talk about: Queering the Bible course update [0:39] Shout out to Kaya Oakes who is our dear friend and has been a supporter ever since [5:50] A reader question about his struggles with the verse about Jesus dying on the cross for our sins [7:10] The atonement [8:04] Queer people were created in God’s image (also) [11:30] Invitation to Sanctuary Collective [15:51] We queer a text from Luke 24:13-35 [16:36] Brian’s view of Jesus [19:01] Things Jesus did that’s recognizable to others [22:40] Breaking the bread moment [24:07] “Recognition that we can find Jesus in these small moments that breakthrough in our daily lives.” [24:26] Remember registration for Queering The Bible is now open and will end on Thursday, April 30, 2020. Learn more about the course to decide if it’s right for you at queertheology.com/queerbible 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  Link(s) mentioned in this episode: Webinar on atonement: Why Did Jesus Die? Luke 24:13-35 On that same day, two disciples were traveling to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking to each other about everything that had happened. While they were discussing these things, Jesus himself arrived and joined them on their journey. They were prevented from recognizing him. He said to them, “What are you talking about as you walk along?” They stopped, their faces downcast. The one named Cleopas replied, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who is unaware of the things that have taken place there over the last few days?” He said to them, “What things?” They said to him, “The things about Jesus of Nazareth. Because of his powerful deeds and words, he was recognized by God and all the people as a prophet. But our chief priests and our leaders handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him. We had hoped he was the one who would redeem Israel. All these things happened three days ago. But there’s more: Some women from our group have left us stunned. They went to the tomb early this morning and didn’t find his body. They came to us saying that they had even seen a vision of angels who told them he is alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found things just as the women said. They didn’t see him.” Then Jesus said to them, “You foolish people! Your dull minds keep you from believing all that the prophets talked about. Wasn’t it necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and then enter into his glory?” Then he interpreted for them the things written about himself in all the scriptures, starting with Moses and going through all the Prophets. When they came to Emmaus, he acted as if he was going on ahead. But they urged him, saying, “Stay with us. It’s nearly evening, and the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. After he took his seat at the table with them, he took the bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he disappeared from their sight. They said to each other, “Weren’t our hearts on fire when he spoke to us along the road and when he explained the scriptures for us?” They got up right then and returned to Jerusalem. They found the eleven and their companions gathered together. They were saying to each other, “The Lord really has risen! He appeared to Simon!” Then the two disciples described what had happened along the road and how Jesus was made known to them as he broke the bread.   Photo by Debby Hudson The post Breaking the Bread – Luke 24:13-35 appeared first on Queer Theology.

There is so much work that goes into reading the Bible from a queer lens, but why do we do it? We find value in sharing the good news as it is meant to be – for all. We are called to do this work especially now that we are in the midst of a very troubling time.  Today we answer a listener question about feeling separated from Christianity while feeling confident in their sexuality. “I’m settled in my bisexuality and polyamory, but I am still a closeted Christian in a lot of areas in my life. Does anyone have experience or relate to that?” We also queer a text from John 20:19-31, the story about doubting Thomas. We talk about how beautiful this story is and how this has become a transformational tool for both Fr. Shay and Brian. So stay tuned to episode 325. In this episode, we talk about: Life updates [0:39] Shout out to Nate FitzGerald who has been a supporter since this fall [5:12] A reader question that was posted inside of our Sanctuary Collective. We have a channel where we discuss the week’s podcast [5:37 ] Brian leaving Christianity at 19 years old [6:29] “I worry sometimes about  what people’s assumption of my Christianity is…” [9:36] Invitation to Sanctuary Collective [13:24] We queer a text from John 20:19-3 [13:55] Jesus’s Scars & Transgender Bodies [16:09] Fr. Shay’s personal experience with this passage [18:51] This work that we do – queering the Scripture, is valuable [23:44] Remember registration for Queering The Bible is now open. Learn more about the course to decide if it’s right for you at queertheology.com/queerbible 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    Link(s) mentioned in this episode: Jesus’s Scars & Transgender Bodies Jesus Comes Out   John 20:19-31 It was still the first day of the week. That evening, while the disciples were behind closed doors because they were afraid of the Jewish authorities, Jesus came and stood among them. He said, “Peace be with you.” After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. When the disciples saw the Lord, they were filled with joy. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, so I am sending you.” Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven; if you don’t forgive them, they aren’t forgiven.” Thomas, the one called Didymus, one of the Twelve, wasn’t with the disciples when Jesus came. The other disciples told him, “We’ve seen the Lord!” But he replied, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands, put my finger in the wounds left by the nails, and put my hand into his side, I won’t believe.” After eight days his disciples were again in a house and Thomas was with them. Even though the doors were locked, Jesus entered and stood among them. He said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here. Look at my hands. Put your hand into my side. No more disbelief. Believe!” Thomas responded to Jesus, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus replied, “Do you believe because you see me? Happy are those who don’t see and yet believe.” Then Jesus did many other miraculous signs in his disciples’ presence, signs that aren’t recorded in this scroll. But these things are written so that you will believe that Jesus is the Christ, God’s Son, and that believing, you will have life in his name. Photo by Hannah Busing The post The Transformational Power of Queering Scripture – John 20:19-31 appeared first on Queer Theology.

Happy Easter, everyone. And while we are celebrating Easter very differently this year, we have hope that we can still see the power in Jesus’ resurrection — and have our own resurrection in the midst of this pandemic. Today we answer a listener question from Jeremy. He wants to clear the confusion he has in his heart regarding Paul — he thinks that Paul condemns homosexuality. Maybe you’ve heard that too? Then, we queer a text from Matthew 28:1-10. It talks about Jesus’ resurrection and how the angel delivered the news to Mary Magdalene and the other Mary at the tomb. We talk about how women were perfectly placed in the center of this scripture and that it’s so beautiful. We also discussed how queerness shows up in the Bible and throughout the scripture. So stay tuned and enjoy the show. Have a blessed Easter. In this episode, we talk about: Easter life updates from Brian and Fr. Shay [0:35] Shout out to Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser who has been joined us over five months ago [5:13] A listener question from Jeremy [5:43] The words gay, queer and transgender didn’t exist during Paul’s time [6:18] The scripture in question is about religious power dynamics and not about queer [7:57] Don’t conclude on what the Bible says right away; check the context [8:58] Invitation to Sanctuary Collective [10:53] We queer a text from Matthew 28:1-10 [11:25] The genealogy of Jesus [12:59] Women at the central place of this story [14:00] Queerness shows up all throughout the Bible [16:43] 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  Link(s) mentioned in this episode: QueerTheology.com/IsItOk QueerTheology.com/DiveDeeper QueerTheology.com/community Queer the Bible Waitlist: queertheology.com/queerbible 7-day IG challenge: QueerTheology.com/challenge Matthew 28:1-10 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the tomb. Look, there was a great earthquake, for an angel from the Lord came down from heaven. Coming to the stone, he rolled it away and sat on it. Now his face was like lightning and his clothes as white as snow. The guards were so terrified of him that they shook with fear and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Don’t be afraid. I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He isn’t here, because he’s been raised from the dead, just as he said. Come, see the place where they laid him. Now hurry, go and tell his disciples, ‘He’s been raised from the dead. He’s going on ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there.’ I’ve given the message to you.” With great fear and excitement, they hurried away from the tomb and ran to tell his disciples. But Jesus met them and greeted them. They came and grabbed his feet and worshipped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Go and tell my brothers that I am going into Galilee. They will see me there.” Photo by Bruno van der Kraan The post Women Take Center Stage – Matthew 28:1-10 appeared first on Queer Theology.

There are times when we are faced with scriptures that don’t really make sense. It’s difficult to put two and two together. But that doesn’t mean that we’ve already failed in understanding it. We have to remember that not being able to discern certain scriptures is perfectly fine. After all, the Bible isn’t always clear.  In today’s episode, we queer a Bible scripture that a listener requested. This is a text from Mark 11:12-14 which briefly talks about Jesus getting angry at a fig tree for bearing no fruits. Mind you that during that time, the fig tree wasn’t in the season to bear fruit. So listen on to hear what we think about this passage and of Jesus’ anger.  In this episode, we talk about: Fr. Shay’s life updates [0:40] Brian’s love for Palm Sunday [2:45] Shout out to Madison Neel [5:48] Holy week update – get excited, we have tons of stuff lined up for you [6:20] A listener passage audio request from Daniel [7:40] We queer a text from Mark 11:12-14 [8:22] A possible cultural context that’s missing? [9:57] Sometimes the Bible is just weird; this might be a case of that [10:24] It’s okay if you don’t understand a scripture [12:11] What is it with us and sanitizing Jesus [13:41] Reminder: 7-day IG challenge [15:05] 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  Link(s) mentioned in this episode: Palm Sunday: What happened and what does it MEAN Queer the Bible Waitlist: queertheology.com/queerbible 7-day IG challenge: QueerTheology.com/challenge Mark 11:12-14 The next day, after leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. From far away, he noticed a fig tree in leaf, so he went to see if he could find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing except leaves, since it wasn’t the season for figs. So he said to it, “No one will ever again eat your fruit!” His disciples heard this. Photo by Steve Knutson The post Jesus Gets Hangry – Mark 11:12-14 appeared first on Queer Theology.

In today’s episode, we answer a reader question regarding justifying your romantic or sexual desires through the scripture. Is having a sexual relationship a possibility for someone who wants to live a wholly Christ-centered life? “Doesn’t romance introduce the danger of worshiping your partner instead or as well as God?” We also queer a text from John 11:1-45 that shows us how Jesus is human. That he weeps for the death of a friend. He grieved. But then also shows us the grace of the Lord by waking Lazarus from the dead. It’s also a great reminder for the people around us that they also have the responsibility to make life easier for us – for all of us.  In this episode, we talk about: shout out to Tammy Garner [7:18] a reader question from Ace about justifying romantic pursuits when living a wholly christ-centered life [7:44] the Bible’s role in justifying sex and romance [9:20] worshiping God is communal [12:53] we queer a text from John 11:1-45 [16:55] understanding looking back vs. being in the middle of the midst of suffering  [17:42] gospel of John as Fr. Shay’s least favorite [19:20] Jesus shows His humanity [21:20] 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 Link(s) mentioned in this episode: I Found the Garden of Eden: QueerTheology.com/garden-of-eden Self-Care for LGBTQ Christians:QueerTheology.com/selfcare Queer the Bible Waitlist: queertheology.com/queerbible 7-day IG challenge: QueerTheology.com/challenge John 11:1-45 A certain man, Lazarus, was ill. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. (This was the Mary who anointed the Lord with fragrant oil and wiped his feet with her hair. Her brother Lazarus was ill.) So the sisters sent word to Jesus, saying, “Lord, the one whom you love is ill.” When he heard this, Jesus said, “This illness isn’t fatal. It’s for the glory of God so that God’s Son can be glorified through it.” Jesus loved Martha, her sister, and Lazarus. When he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed where he was. After two days, he said to his disciples, “Let’s return to Judea again.” The disciples replied, “Rabbi, the Jewish opposition wants to stone you, but you want to go back?” Jesus answered, “Aren’t there twelve hours in the day? Whoever walks in the day doesn’t stumble because they see the light of the world. But whoever walks in the night does stumble because the light isn’t in them.” He continued, “Our friend Lazarus is sleeping, but I am going in order to wake him up.” The disciples said, “Lord, if he’s sleeping, he will get well.” They thought Jesus meant that Lazarus was in a deep sleep, but Jesus had spoken about Lazarus’ death. Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died. For your sakes, I’m glad I wasn’t there so that you can believe. Let’s go to him.” Then Thomas (the one called Didymus) said to the other disciples, “Let us go too so that we may die with Jesus.” When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Bethany was a little less than two miles from Jerusalem. Many Jews had come to comfort Martha and Mary after their brother’s death. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him, while Mary remained in the house. Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother wouldn’t have died. Even now I know that whatever you ask God, God will give you.” Jesus told her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha replied, “I know that he will rise in the resurrection on the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me will live, even though they die. Everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” She replied, “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, God’s Son, the one who is coming into the world.” After she said this, she went and spoke privately to her sister Mary, “The teacher is here and he’s calling for you.” When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to Jesus. He hadn’t entered the village but was still in the place where Martha had met him. When the Jews who were comforting Mary in the house saw her get up quickly and leave, they followed her. They assumed she was going to mourn at the tomb. When Mary arrived where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother wouldn’t have died.” When Jesus saw her crying and the Jews who had come with her crying also, he was deeply disturbed and troubled. He asked, “Where have you laid him?” They replied, “Lord, come and see.” Jesus began to cry. The Jews said, “See how much he loved him!” But some of them said, “He healed the eyes of the man born blind. Couldn’t he have kept Lazarus from dying?” Jesus was deeply disturbed again when he came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone covered the entrance. Jesus said, “Remove the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said, “Lord, the smell will be awful! He’s been dead four days.” Jesus replied, “Didn’t I tell you that if you believe, you will see God’s glory?” So they removed the stone. Jesus looked up and said, “Father, thank you for hearing me. I know you always hear me. I say this for the benefit of the crowd standing here so that they will believe that you sent me.” Having said this, Jesus shouted with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his feet bound and his hands tied, and his face covered with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Untie him and let him go.” Therefore, many of the Jews who came with Mary and saw what Jesus did believed in him. Photo by Neal E. Johnson The post The Humanity of Jesus – John 11:1-45 appeared first on Queer Theology.