In this episode, we get down and dirty and nerdy with the Hebrew Bible text known as Ruth. What seems like a heterosexual love story to evangelicals (between Ruth and Boaz) actually has a lot of queerness in it–two women, Ruth and Naomi, who profess their commitment to one another, and Boaz, who never expresses desire for Ruth or any other woman, only a duty to his family line. We explore the ways in which this narrative embraces non-normative family structures and the complicated aspects of Ruth and Naomi’s relationship as well (was there possible exploitation of Ruth for Naomi’s financial gain?). We also talk about the story’s message of welcoming the foreigner and how Ruth directly contrasts with other biblical texts that prohibit the marriage of foreign women with Israelites. Oh, and of course, April brings up the stupid Panera sermon metaphor. There were no asiago bagels on the threshing floor, young adults pastor!

Bibliography: “Un-Straightening Boaz in Ruth Scholarship” by Brett Krutzsch

“Even unto this Bitter Loving”: Unhappiness and Backward Feelings in Ruth, by Rhiannon Graybill

https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/ordinary-31-2/commentary-on-ruth-11-18-3

https://www.wilgafney.com/2024/07/21/how-long-o-lord-is-a-womanish-question/

“Traffic Violations” by Fulata Lusigu Moyo

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