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.

This episode is for the lectionary from October 21 — after recording this episode, Brian had a death in the family and was unable to publish it on schedule but we wanted you to hear it. Scripture is filled with folks wrestling with their place in their universe and their relationship with each other and that which is bigger than themselves. We are hungry to find meaning. In this episode, we explore how that plays out in Job. Job 38:1-7, 34-38 Then the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind: Who is this darkening counsel with words lacking knowledge? Prepare yourself like a man; I will interrogate you, and you will respond to me. The establishing of order Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundations? Tell me if you know. Who set its measurements? Surely you know. Who stretched a measuring tape on it? On what were its footings sunk; who laid its cornerstone, while the morning stars sang in unison and all the divine beings shouted? Can you issue an order to the clouds so their abundant waters cover you? Can you send lightning so that it goes and then says to you, “I’m here”? Who put wisdom in remote places, or who gave understanding to a rooster? Who is wise enough to count the clouds, and who can tilt heaven’s water containers so that dust becomes mud and clods of dirt adhere? The post Making Meaning – Job 38:1-7, 34-38 appeared first on Queer Theology.

In these two passages, we see that the “Old Testament God” and the “New Testament God” are one and the same. In Mark, Jesus is in conversation with his sacred text, the Hebrew Bible. Take a listen for some new insights that emerge when these passages are read together. Deuteronomy 6:1-9 Now these are the commandments, the regulations, and the case laws that the Lord your God commanded me to teach you to follow in the land you are entering to possess, so that you will fear the Lord your God by keeping all his regulations and his commandments that I am commanding you—both you and your sons and daughters—all the days of your life and so that you will lengthen your life. Listen to them, Israel! Follow them carefully so that things will go well for you and so that you will continue to multiply exactly as the Lord, your ancestors’ God, promised you, in a land full of milk and honey. Israel, listen! Our God is the Lord! Only the Lord! Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your being, and all your strength. These words that I am commanding you today must always be on your minds. Recite them to your children. Talk about them when you are sitting around your house and when you are out and about, when you are lying down and when you are getting up. Tie them on your hand as a sign. They should be on your forehead as a symbol. Write them on your house’s doorframes and on your city’s gates. Mark 12:28-34 One of the legal experts heard their dispute and saw how well Jesus answered them. He came over and asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” Jesus replied, “The most important one is Israel, listen! Our God is the one Lord, 30 and you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your being, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this, You will love your neighbor as yourself. No other commandment is greater than these.” The legal expert said to him, “Well said, Teacher. You have truthfully said that God is one and there is no other besides him. And to love God with all of the heart, a full understanding, and all of one’s strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself is much more important than all kinds of entirely burned offerings and sacrifices.” When Jesus saw that he had answered with wisdom, he said to him, “You aren’t far from God’s kingdom.” After that, no one dared to ask him any more questions. The post The Greatest Command Is Old – Deuteronomy 6:1-9 & Mark 12:28-34 appeared first on Queer Theology.

How do we relate to God? As Christian’s, we have a unique model for understanding the divine in the life and ministry of Jesus. In this episode, we clarify some misconceptions around what is “God’s word” and dive into the significance of the Christian message. Referenced in this episode: Polyamory & Christianity online workshop happening this Sunday, October 14! Register at queertheology.com/polyamory How to read the Bible Jesus positions himself in the context of John the Baptist who came before him and was influenced by his mother Mary Read the transcript (PDF) Hebrews 4:12-16 because God’s word is living, active, and sharper than any two-edged sword. It penetrates to the point that it separates the soul from the spirit and the joints from the marrow. It’s able to judge the heart’s thoughts and intentions. No creature is hidden from it, but rather everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of the one to whom we have to give an answer. Also, let’s hold on to the confession since we have a great high priest who passed through the heavens, who is Jesus, God’s Son;  because we don’t have a high priest who can’t sympathize with our weaknesses but instead one who was tempted in every way that we are, except without sin. Finally, let’s draw near to the throne of favor with confidence so that we can receive mercy and find grace when we need help. The post How do we relate to God? – Hebrews 4:12-16 appeared first on Queer Theology.

We’ve look at this text a few times before (here, here, and embedded below). This week, we look at this section of the creation narrative and focus in on a few important themes: choice the power of names the purpose of this story marriage, monogamy, and purity culture Read the transcript (PDF) We’re hosting an online workshop about Christianity & polyamory on Sunday October 14. Register at queertheology.com/polyamory In this episode, Brian referenced understanding this passage better when he dated his first boyfriend. He writes about more here. 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. The post God trusts you to pick your partner – Genesis 2:18-24 appeared first on Queer Theology.

Read the transcript (PDF) Mark 9:38-50 John said to Jesus, “Teacher, we saw someone throwing demons out in your name, and we tried to stop him because he wasn’t following us.” Jesus replied, “Don’t stop him. No one who does powerful acts in my name can quickly turn around and curse me. Whoever isn’t against us is for us. I assure you that whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will certainly be rewarded. “As for whoever causes these little ones who believe in me to trip and fall into sin, it would be better for them to have a huge stone hung around their necks and to be thrown into the lake. If your hand causes you to fall into sin, chop it off. It’s better for you to enter into life crippled than to go away with two hands into the fire of hell, which can’t be put out. If your foot causes you to fall into sin, chop it off. It’s better for you to enter life lame than to be thrown into hell with two feet. If your eye causes you to fall into sin, tear it out. It’s better for you to enter God’s kingdom with one eye than to be thrown into hell with two. That’s a place where worms don’t die and the fire never goes out. Everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good; but if salt loses its saltiness, how will it become salty again? Maintain salt among yourselves and keep peace with each other.” Photo by Cecilie Johnsen  The post Biblical Allyship – Mark 9:38-50 appeared first on Queer Theology.

In this week’s episode, we take a break a from the lectionary to talk about queer sacred sites. A few weeks ago, Brian released a video about his experience on Fire Island and how he realized that it’s a sacred place. Fr. Shay talks about his holy experience at a small town gay bar. And we invite you to consider the sacred sites, rituals, and experiences in your life that might have gone unnoticed before. Read the transcript (PDF) Watch Brian’s video on Facebook or YouTube. Let us know your queer sacred spaces by tweeting at us @qtheology The post Queer Sacred Spaces: Ours & Yours appeared first on Queer Theology.

Don’t write off this passage as being another silly, outdated exhortation to simply “not say bad words.” Rather, it’s an important reminder that words matter and that they have powerful effects. Read the transcript (PDF) Join Sanctuary Collective, our online community + premium resources Support the podcast by pledging monthly on Patreon James 3:1-12 My brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers, because we know that we teachers will be judged more strictly. We all make mistakes often, but those who don’t make mistakes with their words have reached full maturity. Like a bridled horse, they can control themselves entirely. When we bridle horses and put bits in their mouths to lead them wherever we want, we can control their whole bodies. Consider ships: They are so large that strong winds are needed to drive them. But pilots direct their ships wherever they want with a little rudder. In the same way, even though the tongue is a small part of the body, it boasts wildly. Think about this: A small flame can set a whole forest on fire. The tongue is a small flame of fire, a world of evil at work in us. It contaminates our entire lives. Because of it, the circle of life is set on fire. The tongue itself is set on fire by the flames of hell. People can tame and already have tamed every kind of animal, bird, reptile, and fish. No one can tame the tongue, though. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we both bless the Lord and Father and curse human beings made in God’s likeness. Blessing and cursing come from the same mouth. My brothers and sisters, it just shouldn’t be this way! Both fresh water and salt water don’t come from the same spring, do they? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree produce olives? Can a grapevine produce figs? Of course not, and fresh water doesn’t flow from a saltwater spring either. The post Words Matter – James 3:1-12 appeared first on Queer Theology.

Read the transcript (PDF) Mark 7:24-37 Jesus left that place and went into the region of Tyre. He didn’t want anyone to know that he had entered a house, but he couldn’t hide. In fact, a woman whose young daughter was possessed by an unclean spirit heard about him right away. She came and fell at his feet. The woman was Greek, Syrophoenician by birth. She begged Jesus to throw the demon out of her daughter. He responded, “The children have to be fed first. It isn’t right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” But she answered, “Lord, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” “Good answer!” he said. “Go on home. The demon has already left your daughter.” When she returned to her house, she found the child lying on the bed and the demon gone. After leaving the region of Tyre, Jesus went through Sidon toward the Galilee Sea through the region of the Ten Cities.  Some people brought to him a man who was deaf and could hardly speak, and they begged him to place his hand on the man for healing. Jesus took him away from the crowd by himself and put his fingers in the man’s ears. Then he spit and touched the man’s tongue. Looking into heaven, Jesus sighed deeply and said, “Ephphatha,” which means, “Open up.” At once, his ears opened, his twisted tongue was released, and he began to speak clearly. Jesus gave the people strict orders not to tell anyone. But the more he tried to silence them, the more eagerly they shared the news. People were overcome with wonder, saying, “He does everything well! He even makes the deaf to hear and gives speech to those who can’t speak.” The post Immigrants are healed & Jesus changes his mind – Mark 7:24-37 appeared first on Queer Theology.