Queer Theology

When talking about deeply held religious beliefs, it’s only human for all sorts of emotions to dust up. If we’re going to grow as Christians and live into a healthy faith, we need to be able to examine our beliefs to make sure that they’re serving us and serving God. In this episode, we explore the feels of anxiety and anger that sometimes come up when confronting our religious beliefs. Speaking of which… on Tuesday April 10, we’re having a webinar all about the atonement. Why did the crucifixion happen and what does it mean? Join us at queertheology.com/atonementwebinar Read the transcript (PDF) The post How to handle tough feelings on your faith journey appeared first on Queer Theology.

We’re smack in the middle of Holy Week and want to make sure you hear these two messages! The post Holy Week 2018 appeared first on Queer Theology.

Too often, government protects the already-powerful, rather than the vulnerable who need protection. This week, we take a look at the trial of Jesus and uncover the religious and the political meanings inherent in this story. If you’re interested in learning more about “why Jesus died,” we’re doing a webinar on atonement on Tuesday April 10 at 9pm eastern (1am GMT) , register here Other episodes on Palm Sunday here and here Read the transcript (PDF) Mark 15:1-15 At daybreak, the chief priests—with the elders, legal experts, and the whole Sanhedrin—formed a plan. They bound Jesus, led him away, and turned him over to Pilate. Pilate questioned him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” Jesus replied, “That’s what you say.” The chief priests were accusing him of many things. Pilate asked him again, “Aren’t you going to answer? What about all these accusations?” 5 But Jesus gave no more answers, so that Pilate marveled. During the festival, Pilate released one prisoner to them, whomever they requested. A man named Barabbas was locked up with the rebels who had committed murder during an uprising. The crowd pushed forward and asked Pilate to release someone, as he regularly did. Pilate answered them, “Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?” He knew that the chief priests had handed him over because of jealousy. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barabbas to them instead. Pilate replied, “Then what do you want me to do with the one you call king of the Jews?” They shouted back, “Crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Why? What wrong has he done?” They shouted even louder, “Crucify him!” Pilate wanted to satisfy the crowd, so he released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus whipped, then handed him over to be crucified. The post Crucify him! – Mark 15:1-15 appeared first on Queer Theology.

Here are some highlights from this week’s episode: “They tried to bury us, they didn’t know we were seeds.” – poet Dinos Christianopoulos When you do what is right, it has repercussions that are so much bigger than you might live to see, and you do it anyway We’re reading The Last Week in Sanctuary Collective which situates the last week of Jesus’s life in the context of what was going on historically, politically, and theologically Martin Luther King’s Last Speech: “I’ve Been To The Mountaintop” Politics of Jesus webinar is happening Sunday March 18 @ 2:00pm eastern Register here Read the transcript (PDF) John 12:20-33 Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.” Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus. Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him. Jesus said, “This voice was for your benefit, not mine. Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die. Photo by Theo Crazzolara The post “They tried to bury us…” – John 12:20-33 appeared first on Queer Theology.

The personal is political and everything is religious. In this episode, we begin to tease out the political implications of our spiritual conversions to following the way of Jesus. Read the transcript (PDF) There’s a lot to discover when it comes to the politics of Jesus, so we’ll be talking about it for the next few weeks at QueerTheology.com. Subscribe for email updates if you haven’t already. And join us for two interactive online workshops… Sunday March 18 @ 2:00pm easter – The Politics of Jesus –Register Tuesday April 10 @ 9:00pm eastern – Atonement – Register Also, we’re reading The Last Week by Marcus Borg and John Dominic Crossantogether in Sanctuary Collective. Join now and jump into the discussion! The post The Politics of Jesus appeared first on Queer Theology.

In this episode, we look at the story of Jesus turning over tables in the temple, as told by John. Why did he do this, who exactly was he protesting, and what can his actions teach us about how we live our lives today? In the podcast, we mentioned that we’re reading The Last Week by Marcus Borg and John Domnic Crossan in Sanctuary Collective and that this story (as told by Mark) is one of the passages covered. If you want to join the bookclub and get in on an in-depth discussion about the politics of Jesus, you’re invited to join us! Read the transcript (PDF) John 2:13-22 When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!” His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.” The Jews then responded to him, “What sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?” Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” They replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?” But the temple he had spoken of was his body. After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken. Photo by natalielafuente The post Collaborating with the empire – John 2:13-22 appeared first on Queer Theology.

This week, we tease out the tension between “living a good Christian life” as has been come to be defined by the white, straight, conservative status quo and the consequences of following Jesus’s message. We also look at “taking up your” cross and what that means. Following Christ is risky, but in the end, we think it’s worth it. We’re tackling the politics of Jesus all Lent long. Sign up for updates to stay in the loop! We’re also reading The Last Week, a book about the meaning and political implications of Jesus’s life, ministry and in particular his death and resurrection, in Sanctuary Collective. You’re invited to join! Read the transcript (PDF) Mark 8:31-38 Then Jesus began to teach his disciples: “The Human One must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and the legal experts, and be killed, and then, after three days, rise from the dead.” He said this plainly. But Peter took hold of Jesus and, scolding him, began to correct him. Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, then sternly corrected Peter: “Get behind me, Satan. You are not thinking God’s thoughts but human thoughts.” After calling the crowd together with his disciples, Jesus said to them, “All who want to come after me must say no to themselves, take up their cross, and follow me. All who want to save their lives will lose them. But all who lose their lives because of me and because of the good news will save them. Why would people gain the whole world but lose their lives? What will people give in exchange for their lives? Whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this unfaithful and sinful generation, the Human One will be ashamed of that person when he comes in the Father’s glory with the holy angels. Photo by dino_b The post What will you give in exchange for your life? – Mark 8:31-38 appeared first on Queer Theology.

In Mark’s gospel, Jesus gets his understanding of himself and his mission confirmed by God… and then forced out into the wilderness. He is baptized into a movement by John the Baptist, who is then arrested. It’s tempting to see “figuring out” ourselves, our call, and our relationship with God as the goal, but in many ways, that’s just the start of a journey full of obstacles. Who are you, who are we, and how do we move forward faithfully? Read the transcript (PDF) Show notes This is how Mark starts his gospel! We talked about the last 2 verses a few weeks ago: Change your heart & your life – Mark 1:14-15 Jesus is confirmed in his path… and then drive out into the wilderness. That’s something LGBTQ can often relate to After John Went to Jail As queer people come to understand ourselves, our truth, and our relationship with God, we are sometimes pushed into our own wilderness: out of family, friends, churches, and communities Remember: Jesus is connected to a movement that predates him Coming out can sometimes feel like the “end” of a journey, but it’s often just the beginning Creating a sexual ethic after coming out The nuts and bolts of creating a sexual ethic Synchroblog 2018: what are we called to do and be in the world? Mark 1:9-15 About that time, Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and John baptized him in the Jordan River. While he was coming up out of the water, Jesus saw heaven splitting open and the Spirit, like a dove, coming down on him. And there was a voice from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I dearly love; in you I find happiness.” At once the Spirit forced Jesus out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness for forty days, tempted by Satan. He was among the wild animals, and the angels took care of him. After John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee announcing God’s good news, saying, “Now is the time! Here comes God’s kingdom! Change your hearts and lives, and trust this good news!” The post Figuring out your relationship with God – Mark 1:9-15 appeared first on Queer Theology.

In this episode, we are challenged by 2 Corinthians 4:1-6 to inspect our faith, our lives, our churches, our communities, and our politics to see if it truly reflects the glory of God and Jesus Christ. Read the transcript (PDF) Show notes This is God’s good news This is my good news… Change your heart & your life Building a Bible-based faith that isn’t terrible Why “Have you accepted Jesus?” is the wrong question Synchroblog 2018: Queer Calling 2 Corinthians 4:1-6 This is why we don’t get discouraged, given that we received this ministry in the same way that we received God’s mercy. Instead, we reject secrecy and shameful actions. We don’t use deception, and we don’t tamper with God’s word. Instead, we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God by the public announcement of the truth. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are on the road to destruction. The god of this age has blinded the minds of those who don’t have faith so they couldn’t see the light of the gospel that reveals Christ’s glory. Christ is the image of God. We don’t preach about ourselves. Instead, we preach about Jesus Christ as Lord, and we describe ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake. God said that light should shine out of the darkness. He is the same one who shone in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory in the face of Jesus Christ. The post LGBTQ Christians reflect the glory of Jesus Christ – 2 Corinthians 4:1-6 appeared first on Queer Theology.

Paul is super passionate about spreading the gospel and so are we! Asking what our queerness can teach us about Christianity doesn’t taint Christianity, it  unlocks a greater, more profound, more prophetic dimension that we might otherwise miss. Read the transcript (PDF) In this episode, we mention this year’s Synchroblog Harvey Milk’s “I’m here to recruit you” line How “obligation” to Christ is greater than trying to avoid hell Following Christ can be liberating and life-giving   1 Corinthians 9:16-23 If I preach the gospel, I have no reason to brag, since I’m obligated to do it. I’m in trouble if I don’t preach the gospel. If I do this voluntarily, I get rewarded for it. But if I’m forced to do it, then I’ve been charged with a responsibility. What reward do I get? That when I preach, I offer the good news free of charge. That’s why I don’t use the rights to which I’m entitled through the gospel. Although I’m free from all people, I make myself a slave to all people, to recruit more of them. I act like a Jew to the Jews, so I can recruit Jews. I act like I’m under the Law to those under the Law, so I can recruit those who are under the Law (though I myself am not under the Law). I act like I’m outside the Law to those who are outside the Law, so I can recruit those outside the Law (though I’m not outside the law of God but rather under the law of Christ). I act weak to the weak, so I can recruit the weak. I have become all things to all people, so I could save some by all possible means. All the things I do are for the sake of the gospel, so I can be a partner with it. The post We want to recruit you – 1 Corinthians 9:16-23 appeared first on Queer Theology.