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.

This passage reminds us that God has a particular care for people who are marginalized, vulnerable, disenfranchised, and oppressed. In this episode we dig into why that’s important and what that means for our lives and relationships. Jeremiah 31:7-9 This is what the Lord says: “Sing with joy for Jacob; shout for the foremost of the nations. Make your praises heard, and say, ‘Lord, save your people, the remnant of Israel.’ See, I will bring them from the land of the north and gather them from the ends of the earth. Among them will be the blind and the lame, expectant mothers and women in labor; a great throng will return. They will come with weeping; they will pray as I bring them back. I will lead them beside streams of water on a level path where they will not stumble, because I am Israel’s father, and Ephraim is my firstborn son.   Photo by Smit Patel The post Your identity matters – Jeremiah 31:7-9 appeared first on Queer Theology.

This passage is a sultry seduction and we do scripture a disservice when we try to “clean it up” and make it chaste. But it’s not necessarily fun and carefree. In this episode, we take a close look at sex and seduction. Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17 Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, “My daughter, shouldn’t I seek security for you, so that things might go well for you? Now isn’t Boaz, whose young women you were with, our relative? Tonight he will be winnowing barley at the threshing floor. You should bathe, put on some perfume, wear nice clothes, and then go down to the threshing floor. Don’t make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. When he lies down, notice the place where he is lying. Then go, uncover his feet, and lie down. And he will tell you what to do.” Ruth replied to her, “I’ll do everything you are telling me.” So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife. He was intimate with her, the Lord let her become pregnant, and she gave birth to a son. The women said to Naomi, “May the Lord be blessed, who today hasn’t left you without a redeemer. May his name be proclaimed in Israel. He will restore your life and sustain you in your old age. Your daughter-in-law who loves you has given birth to him. She’s better for you than seven sons.” Naomi took the child and held him to her breast, and she became his guardian. The neighborhood women gave him a name, saying, “A son has been born to Naomi.” They called his name Obed. He became Jesse’s father and David’s grandfather. The post Seduction – Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17 appeared first on Queer Theology.