Queer Theology

This week’s Gospel reading opens with, “Many people have tried to tell the story of what God has done among us.” In this episode, we dig into what the Bible, what it is (and is not) trying to do, what Scripture meant in the time it was written, and what it might mean for us today. Mentioned in this episode How to read the Bible A new more in-depth course on how to read the Bible is coming later this year, join the mailing list to get notified! Reading Queerly Did Jesus come to die for our sins? Read the transcript (PDF) Luke 1:1-4 Many people have tried to tell the story of what God has done among us. They wrote what we had been told by the ones who were there in the beginning and saw what happened. So I made a careful study of everything and then decided to write and tell you exactly what took place. Honorable Theophilus, I have done this to let you know the truth about what you have heard. Luke 4:14-21 Jesus returned to Galilee with the power of the Spirit. News about him spread everywhere. 15 He taught in the Jewish meeting places, and everyone praised him. Jesus went back to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and as usual he went to the meeting place on the Sabbath. When he stood up to read from the Scriptures, 17 he was given the book of Isaiah the prophet. He opened it and read, “The Lord’s Spirit has come to me, because he has chosen me to tell the good news to the poor. The Lord has sent me to announce freedom for prisoners, to give sight to the blind, to free everyone who suffers, and to say, ‘This is the year the Lord has chosen.’” Jesus closed the book, then handed it back to the man in charge and sat down. Everyone in the meeting place looked straight at Jesus. Then Jesus said to them, “What you have just heard me read has come true today.” Photo by Raychan The post The story of what God has done among us – Luke 1:1-4, 4:14-21 appeared first on Queer Theology.

Marriage as a metaphor for God’s relationship to us shows up again in this week’s lectionary reading from Isaiah. In this episode, we talk about the intersections of faith and sexuality, and how that plays out when it comes to marginalized people. In this episode Jesus is polyamorous (video) We expand on “What is it that is bigger than ourselves that we call God?” in this Skeptics Guide series How to read the Bible Queer Sex is Sacred queertheology.com/resources Isaiah 62:1-5 Jerusalem, I will speak up for your good. I will never be silent till you are safe and secure, sparkling like a flame. Your great victory will be seen by every nation and king; the Lord will even give you a new name. You will be a glorious crown, a royal headband, for the Lord your God. Your name will no longer be “Deserted and Childless,” but “Happily Married.” You will please the Lord; your country will be his bride. Your people will take the land, just as a young man takes a bride. The Lord will be pleased because of you, just as a husband is pleased with his bride. Photo by Caroline Veronez  The post Marriage Metaphors – Isaiah 62:1-5 appeared first on Queer Theology.

Referenced in this episode Picking a word of the year Setting spiritual resolutions Christianity & Polyamory resources Christianity & Polyamory course will reopen in early 2019 You can support this podcast on Patreon Brian will be speaking at the Q Christian Fellowship Conference – use discount code PODCAST19 for $10 off If there are any topics you’d like us to cover, resources that would be helpful, or questions you’d like answered, email connect@queertheology.com The post Getting Personal + 2019 Preview appeared first on Queer Theology.

In this passage, the wise people encounter the baby Jesus and are so transformed by their encounter, that they return another way. In this episode, we explore how queerness can mirror that experience and how each can inform the other. Referenced in this episode: Brian’s article on LGBTQ activism + the wise people meeting Jesus Is Christianity all about saying a prayer and getting into heaven? Matthew 2:1-12 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in the territory of Judea during the rule of King Herod, magi came from the east to Jerusalem. They asked, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We’ve seen his star in the east, and we’ve come to honor him.” When King Herod heard this, he was troubled, and everyone in Jerusalem was troubled with him. He gathered all the chief priests and the legal experts and asked them where the Christ was to be born. They said, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for this is what the prophet wrote: You, Bethlehem, land of Judah, by no means are you least among the rulers of Judah, because from you will come one who governs, who will shepherd my people Israel.” Then Herod secretly called for the magi and found out from them the time when the star had first appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search carefully for the child. When you’ve found him, report to me so that I too may go and honor him.” When they heard the king, they went; and look, the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stood over the place where the child was. 1When they saw the star, they were filled with joy. They entered the house and saw the child with Mary his mother. Falling to their knees, they honored him. Then they opened their treasure chests and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 Because they were warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they went back to their own country by another route. Photo by Caleb Stokes The post Activist Epiphanies – Matthew 2:1-12 appeared first on Queer Theology.

Another year is coming to a close and in this episode we share some of our end of year practices and how we prepare for a new year. Referenced in this episode How to pick a “Word of the Year” Photo by Ian Schneider The post Closing out the year, preparing for the new year appeared first on Queer Theology.

The Bible has a few accounts of Jesus’s birth and the differences in the stories, plus the context in which they were originally told, can tell us some important things about the life, ministry, and legacy of Jesus. In this episode, we explore the story of Jesus’s birth then and what it means for our lives today. Mentioned in this episode: Mary, the Fierce Mother of God Sanctuary Collective The First Christmas Photo by Ben White The post Jesus’s Birth: Then & Now appeared first on Queer Theology.

Taking care of one another and acting kindly isn’t secondary to the gospel — it’s a central part of what it means to be baptized and “escape angry judgement.” We explore what that means for us as Christians and as LGBTQ people.  If you want some support in your faith journey, you are invited to join Sanctuary Collective, our online community of LGBTQ+ Christians and straight, cisgender supporters from around the world. You also get access to a library of resources including Spit & Spirit, our digital magazine, Reading Queerly, a course on how to read the Bible with a queer lens; An LGBTQ Christian Guide to Self Care, and more. If you just want to support the podcast and the work of Queer Theology, we would be so thankful. You can do that here or on Patreon. Transcript coming soon Luke 3:7-14 Then John said to the crowds who came to be baptized by him, “You children of snakes! Who warned you to escape from the angry judgment that is coming soon? Produce fruit that shows you have changed your hearts and lives. And don’t even think about saying to yourselves, Abraham is our father. I tell you that God is able to raise up Abraham’s children from these stones. The ax is already at the root of the trees. Therefore, every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit will be chopped down and tossed into the fire.” The crowds asked him, “What then should we do?” He answered, “Whoever has two shirts must share with the one who has none, and whoever has food must do the same.” Even tax collectors came to be baptized. They said to him, “Teacher, what should we do?” He replied, “Collect no more than you are authorized to collect.” Soldiers asked, “What about us? What should we do?” He answered, “Don’t cheat or harass anyone, and be satisfied with your pay.” Photo by Tim Marshall  The post How to escape angry judgement – Luke 3:7-14 appeared first on Queer Theology.

When considering how LGBTQ people fit into Christianity, it’s tempting to fall back on questions of “Is it ok?” and get stuck in arguments of hermeneutics and exegesis (which are important!) but in doing so miss the forest for the trees. This passage offers us some guidance on how we might discern God’s will and what is right and righteous. This isn’t about picking whatever we want or disregarding scriptural insight, instead it’s about figuring out what is it that the Bible really says and how does that relate to our own relationship with God and each other. Join Sanctuary Collective to be part of an encouraging and nourishing community of Christians (and seekers, questioners, and doubters) Support this podcast here or on Patreon Read the transcript (PDF) Philippians 1:9-11 This is my prayer: that your love might become even more and more rich with knowledge and all kinds of insight. I pray this so that you will be able to decide what really matters and so you will be sincere and blameless on the day of Christ. I pray that you will then be filled with the fruit of righteousness, which comes from Jesus Christ, in order to give glory and praise to God. Photo by Ben White The post How do we know God’s will? – Philippians 1:9-11 appeared first on Queer Theology.

This Sunday is “Christ the King” Sunday or “Reign of Christ” Sunday, depending on your church, and in today’s episode, we are talking about the “king” and “Lord” language used throughout the Christian scriptures and tradition to talk about Jesus. Why do we do that? What is it’s significant? And what are the political implications of that language? Read the transcript (PDF) Two of the passages for this week’s lectionary are Revelation 1:4b-8 and John 18:33-37 We wrestle with these issues and questions together with LGBTQ Christians and straight, cisgender supporters from around the world inside of Sanctuary Collective. If you want to dive deeper, you can learn more and signup at queertheology.com/community If you want to ensure that we can continue to produce this podcast, please consider supporting us with a one-time or monthly pledge at queertheology.com/support Photo by Joshua Eckstein  The post Christ the King appeared first on Queer Theology.

Transgender Day of Remembrance is a week away and in this podcast episode, we focus on three areas for LGBTQ Christians and straight, cisgender supporters (and churches as a body!) to get involved. We look at: What your church can do What you can do as an individual If you’re a pastor, what can be in your sermon this Sunday What will you do for this year’s Transgender Day of Remembrance? Let us know on Facebook or Twitter The post Transgender Day of Remembrance 2018 appeared first on Queer Theology.