Queer Theology

In this passage, Isaiah lays out God’s vision for a new Earth. How does it sound to you? And what is our role in ushering that I? Listen to our “A New Heaven and a New Earth” podcast episode on Revelation 21:1-6 Help us out by leaving a review on iTunes at queertheology.com/review Isaiah 65:17-25 Look! I’m creating a new heaven and a new earth:     past events won’t be remembered;     they won’t come to mind. Be glad and rejoice forever     in what I’m creating,     because I’m creating Jerusalem as a joy     and her people as a source of gladness. I will rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad about my people.     No one will ever hear the sound of weeping or crying in it again. No more will babies live only a few days,     or the old fail to live out their days. The one who dies at a hundred will be like a young person,     and the one falling short of a hundred will seem cursed. They will build houses and live in them;     they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit. They won’t build for others to live in,     nor plant for others to eat. Like the days of a tree will be the days of my people;     my chosen will make full use of their handiwork. They won’t labor in vain,     nor bear children to a world of horrors,     because they will be people blessed by the Lord,     they along with their descendants. Before they call, I will answer;     while they are still speaking, I will hear. Wolf and lamb will graze together,     and the lion will eat straw like the ox,     but the snake—its food will be dust. They won’t hurt or destroy at any place on my holy mountain,     says the Lord. The post God’s Vision for a New Earth – Isaiah 65:17-25 appeared first on Queer Theology.

We hear often that “The Bible says X about marriage” and you know what? The Bible says allllll sorts of things of about marriage. In this passage, we learn of a marriage tradition that seems bizarre by today’s standards—and one that Jesus seems to agree with. What gives? What can this passage teach us about marriage? And as a bonus, this passage also ends with an insight into the nature of God. We dig into that too. Support the podcast by leaving a review! Go to queertheology.com/review and that will take you to the page on iTunes Luke 20:27-38 Some Sadducees, who deny that there’s a resurrection, came to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies leaving a widow but no children, the brother must marry the widow and raise up children for his brother. Now there were seven brothers. The first man married a woman and then died childless. The second and then the third brother married her. Eventually all seven married her, and they all died without leaving any children. Finally, the woman died too. In the resurrection, whose wife will she be? All seven were married to her.” Jesus said to them, “People who belong to this age marry and are given in marriage. But those who are considered worthy to participate in that age, that is, in the age of the resurrection from the dead, won’t marry nor will they be given in marriage. They can no longer die, because they are like angels and are God’s children since they share in the resurrection. Even Moses demonstrated that the dead are raised—in the passage about the burning bush, when he speaks of the Lord as the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. He isn’t the God of the dead but of the living. To him they are all alive.” The post “The Bible says weird things about marriage” – Luke 20:27-38 appeared first on Queer Theology.

This passage has some pretty harsh words for Sodom — but they aren’t what you might expect — and ends with a popular verse about red sins being washed white as snow… that also has a twist you haven’t heard about. Isaiah 1:10-18 Hear the word of the Lord,     you rulers of Sodom; listen to the instruction of our God,     you people of Gomorrah! “The multitude of your sacrifices—     what are they to me?” says the Lord. “I have more than enough of burnt offerings,     of rams and the fat of fattened animals; I have no pleasure     in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats. When you come to appear before me,     who has asked this of you,     this trampling of my courts? Stop bringing meaningless offerings!     Your incense is detestable to me. New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations—     I cannot bear your worthless assemblies.  Your New Moon feasts and your appointed festivals     I hate with all my being. They have become a burden to me;     I am weary of bearing them.  When you spread out your hands in prayer,     I hide my eyes from you; even when you offer many prayers,     I am not listening. Your hands are full of blood!  Wash and make yourselves clean.     Take your evil deeds out of my sight;     stop doing wrong.  Learn to do right; seek justice.     Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless;     plead the case of the widow. “Come now, let us settle the matter,”     says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet,     they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson,     they shall be like wool. The post Sodom & Gomorrah – Isaiah 1:10-18 appeared first on Queer Theology.

This week, Brian takes a look at the essence of Christianity: is it all about getting into heaven? He weaves together his own experience, that of his friends, and passages from Scripture to lay out how he sees Jesus’s ministry and God’s kingdom. If you want to dive deeper into how LGBTQ genders and sexualities can enrich your life and the church, head over to queertheology.com/dive-deeper and we’ll send resources your way. Subscribe: iTunes | Android | RSS Read this podcast as an article The post Is it all about getting into heaven? appeared first on Queer Theology.

Show Notes We focus in “Every scripture is inspired by God” and look at what Scriptures exactly this passage is referring to Call out some intellectually dishonest ways this passage has been used We look at what it means for Scripture to be in inspired Other places we find inspiration How understanding what this passage really means about scripture can impact our relationship with scripture Remember to leave us a review by going to queertheology.com/review 2 Timothy 3:14-4:2 But you must continue with the things you have learned and found convincing. You know who taught you. Since childhood you have known the holy scriptures that help you to be wise in a way that leads to salvation through faith that is in Christ Jesus. Every scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for showing mistakes, for correcting, and for training character, so that the person who belongs to God can be equipped to do everything that is good. I’m giving you this commission in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is coming to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearance and his kingdom. Preach the word. Be ready to do it whether it is convenient or inconvenient. Correct, confront, and encourage with patience and instruction.   Photo by shock264 The post What does it mean to be inspired? – 2 Timothy 3:14 – 4:2 appeared first on Queer Theology.

2 Timothy 2:8-13 Remember Jesus Christ, who was raised from the dead and descended from David. This is my good news. This is the reason I’m suffering to the point that I’m in prison like a common criminal. But God’s word cannot be imprisoned. This is why I endure everything for the sake of those who are chosen by God so that they too may experience salvation in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. 1his saying is reliable: “If we have died together, we will also live together.          If we endure, we will also rule together.         If we deny him, he will also deny us.  If we are disloyal, he stays faithful”     because he can’t be anything else than what he is. Show Notes Queer Theology’s twitter: @qtheology Prison abolition is an LGBT Christian issue Join Queer Theology’s online community: queertheology.com/sanctuary-collective The post This is my good news … God’s word cannot be imprisoned – 2 Timothy 2:8-13 appeared first on Queer Theology.

When you look at your life (and your work and your passions), what makes you come alive? where are you most useful and most of service? In what ways might you be holding yourself back and in what ways might God be inviting you to use your gifts to serve the world? That’s what we look at this week. 2 Timothy 1:6-14 Because of this, I’m reminding you to revive God’s gift that is in you through the laying on of my hands. God didn’t give us a spirit that is timid but one that is powerful, loving, and self-controlled. So don’t be ashamed of the testimony about the Lord or of me, his prisoner. Instead, share the suffering for the good news, depending on God’s power. 9 God is the one who saved and called us with a holy calling. This wasn’t based on what we have done, but it was based on his own purpose and grace that he gave us in Christ Jesus before time began. Now his grace is revealed through the appearance of our savior, Christ Jesus. He destroyed death and brought life and immortality into clear focus through the good news. I was appointed a messenger, apostle, and teacher of this good news. This is also why I’m suffering the way I do, but I’m not ashamed. I know the one in whom I’ve placed my trust. I’m convinced that God is powerful enough to protect what he has placed in my trust until that day. Hold on to the pattern of sound teaching that you heard from me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Protect this good thing that has been placed in your trust through the Holy Spirit who lives in us. Show Notes Magic Lessons podcast with Elizabeth Gilbert (Fr. Shay talked about ep 209 with guest Glennon Doyle Melton) In memory of Amanda Arkansassy Harris “If there is no God, God is in it” – Brian’s ever-changing, often-contradictory thoughts on God Get queer-positive affirmations + reflection questions delivered right to your inbox every weekday morning by signing up for free at queertheology.com/daily Request a passage or ask a question for us to cover on the podcast! The post God did not give you a spirit of timidity! – 2 Timothy 1:6-14 appeared first on Queer Theology.

On the one hand, we want to be happy with what we have and trust God to take care of us. And on the other hand, one day we will likely get old and need to have a plan for our retirement. How do we “live Biblically” when it comes to money without falling into platitudes? Show Notes Read the passage on Biblegateway If you have a question for the podcast, you can now ask it here We’re having a live conversation on Thursday at 8:30 pm EDT with author Chase Night to talk about queer Christian teenage love — reflecting on what it was like growing up LGBTQ in Christian communities, finding ourselves and coming, and why representation in fiction is important. Register at queertheology.com/chicken The post Don’t Worry Be Happy? – 1 Timothy 6:6-19 appeared first on Queer Theology.

In Luke 16, Jesus tells a parable about a dishonest account who ends up being praised by the master he swindled. We get some seemingly contradictory messages: Use worldly wealth to make friends for yourselves so that when it’s gone, you will be welcomed into the eternal homes. but also You cannot serve God and wealth. What do we make of all of this? Take a listen! P.S. Queer Theology’s Queer Lectionary podcast is made possible through supporters on Patreon and members of our online community, Sanctuary Collective. If you want to help support the podcast, you can pledge monthly at patreon.com/queertheology or join our interactive online community of LGBTQ Christians and straight cisgender supporters—full of additional resources, a book club, and more—at queertheology.com/sanctuary-collective Photo by Nathan Congleton The post What the F*#k Do You Do with Money? Luke 16:1-13 appeared first on Queer Theology.

Sometimes what you think about God reveals something about what you think about yourself or the world around you. In this passage, a petulant God plans to rage destruction upon the Hebrew people but Moses gets God to change God’s mind. Huh? What might we learn about God—and ourselves—from that. Dive in with Brian and Fr. Shay and let’s unpack it together. Read the transcript (PDF) Photo by levi.bare The post Changing God’s Mind – Exodus 32:7-14 appeared first on Queer Theology.