Queer Theology

Today’s listener question is something that we know a lot of people can relate to, but might be too afraid or shy to ask about. It deals with the guilt of masturbation and watching porn. “My main concern is that I have prayed to God asking for forgiveness… even made several promises that I end up breaking. What should I do?”

Then we queer a well-known text from Matthew: the story of Jesus feeding 5,000 people. This is a really beautiful story of people taking care of each other and of sharing what they have. It’s also worth noting that this is what we queer folks do. We provide shelter for those who have been kicked out of their homes, we give what we can give to help someone pay for medical expenses, and we’re just basically each other’s support system. 

Things we talked about:

Mentioned in this episode

If you want to support the Patreon and help keep the podcast up and running, you can learn more and pledge your support at patreon.com/queertheology

If you’d like to be featured in future episodes, email your question or Bible passage suggestion to [email protected] 

When Jesus heard about John, he withdrew in a boat to a deserted place by himself. When the crowds learned this, they followed him on foot from the cities. When Jesus arrived and saw a large crowd, he had compassion for them and healed those who were sick. That evening his disciples came and said to him, “This is an isolated place and it’s getting late. Send the crowds away so they can go into the villages and buy food for themselves.”

But Jesus said to them, “There’s no need to send them away. You give them something to eat.”

They replied, “We have nothing here except five loaves of bread and two fish.”

He said, “Bring them here to me.” He ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. He took the five loaves of bread and the two fish, looked up to heaven, blessed them and broke the loaves apart and gave them to his disciples. Then the disciples gave them to the crowds. Everyone ate until they were full, and they filled twelve baskets with the leftovers. About five thousand men plus women and children had eaten.

Photo by Branimir Balogović

The post Miracle or Mutual Aid – Matthew 14:13-21 appeared first on Queer Theology.

A listener wants to know “How do you move past the difficulty of reconciling gender issues found in the Bible? How can you simply focus on Jesus and the faith that you are keeping or trying to build?” We answer that question, but maybe not in the way you’re expecting.

We also queer a text from 1 Kings where we are reminded, through Solomon, that wisdom and ability to discern are far more valuable than any worldly treasures. There’s also a reminder to first take the time to learn, grow yourself… and then, change the world.

Things we talked about:

Books mentioned

Mentioned in this episode

If you want to support the Patreon and help keep the podcast up and running, you can learn more and pledge your support at patreon.com/queertheology

If you’d like to be featured in future episodes, email your question or Bible passage suggestion to [email protected] 

The Lord appeared to Solomon at Gibeon in a dream at night. God said, “Ask whatever you wish, and I’ll give it to you.”

Solomon responded, “You showed so much kindness to your servant my father David when he walked before you in truth, righteousness, and with a heart true to you. You’ve kept this great loyalty and kindness for him and have now given him a son to sit on his throne. And now, Lord my God, you have made me, your servant, king in my father David’s place. But I’m young and inexperienced. I know next to nothing. But I’m here, your servant, in the middle of the people you have chosen, a large population that can’t be numbered or counted due to its vast size. Please give your servant a discerning mind in order to govern your people and to distinguish good from evil, because no one is able to govern this important people of yours without your help.”

It pleased the Lord that Solomon had made this request. God said to him, “Because you have asked for this instead of requesting long life, wealth, or victory over your enemies—asking for discernment so as to acquire good judgment— I will now do just what you said. Look, I hereby give you a wise and understanding mind. There has been no one like you before now, nor will there be anyone like you afterward.

Photo by NESA by Makers

The post Learn & Change the World – 1 Kings 3:5-12 appeared first on Queer Theology.

In your faith journey, when did you notice the Bible’s inaccuracies and contradictions? Did this somehow challenge your faith? Today we answer a question from a Patreon supporter who wonders “How does one keep one’s faith when the gospels are so discrepant?” 

Then, we queer the text from Romans that is very timely with the pandemic and how some are acting in selfish ways. It also reminds us to step into, and even celebrate, freedom where we have it rather than focusing on the fear of losing it. Embrace the fear and use it to motivate you to continue to do the work.

Things we talked about:

Mentioned in this episode

If you want to support the Patreon and help keep the podcast up and running, you can learn more and pledge your support at patreon.com/queertheology

If you’d like to be featured in future episodes, email your question or Bible passage suggestion to [email protected] 

So then, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation, but it isn’t an obligation to ourselves to live our lives on the basis of selfishness. If you live on the basis of selfishness, you are going to die. But if by the Spirit you put to death the actions of the body, you will live. All who are led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons and daughters. You didn’t receive a spirit of slavery to lead you back again into fear, but you received a Spirit that shows you are adopted as his children. With this Spirit, we cry, “Abba, Father.” The same Spirit agrees with our spirit, that we are God’s children. But if we are children, we are also heirs. We are God’s heirs and fellow heirs with Christ, if we really suffer with him so that we can also be glorified with him.

I believe that the present suffering is nothing compared to the coming glory that is going to be revealed to us. The whole creation waits breathless with anticipation for the revelation of God’s sons and daughters. Creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice—it was the choice of the one who subjected it—but in the hope that the creation itself will be set free from slavery to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of God’s children. We know that the whole creation is groaning together and suffering labor pains up until now. And it’s not only the creation. We ourselves who have the Spirit as the first crop of the harvest also groan inside as we wait to be adopted and for our bodies to be set free. We were saved in hope. If we see what we hope for, that isn’t hope. Who hopes for what they already see? But if we hope for what we don’t see, we wait for it with patience.

Photo by Sammie Vasquez

The post Step Into Fear, Be Brave – Romans 8:12-25 appeared first on Queer Theology.

In today’s episode, we answer a reader question from Tumblr regarding ways to talk about the Bible as communicative of revelation. This person also asks, “Or are the scriptures only inspired in a relativized sense alongside great works of literature, poetry, etc ?”

We then queer the text from Psalm that perfectly ties to the Tumblr question. Stay tuned to know what we think about this poem and how this text was written to and about the divine. Moreover, we realize that this poem resembles closely to the work that we do as we light the path for others. 

Things we talked about:

Mentioned in this episode

If you want to support the Patreon and help keep the podcast up and running, you can learn more and pledge your support at patreon.com/queertheology

If you’d like to be featured in future episodes, email your question or Bible passage suggestion to [email protected] 

Your word is a lamp before my feet

    and a light for my journey.

I have sworn, and I fully mean it:

    I will keep your righteous rules.

I have been suffering so much—

    Lord, make me live again according to your promise.

Please, Lord, accept my spontaneous gifts of praise.

    Teach me your rules!

Though my life is constantly in danger,

    I won’t forget your Instruction.

Though the wicked have set a trap for me,

    I won’t stray from your precepts.

Your laws are my possession forever

    because they are my heart’s joy.

I have decided to keep your statutes forever, every last one.

Photo by Julia Florczak

The post The Lamp, The Light, The Path – Psalm 119:105-112 appeared first on Queer Theology.

Today we answer another Tumblr question on the types of questions to ask during Bible or Christian studies that will stump teachers and other students at their unaffirming Christian school.

We queer this week’s sensual text from Song of Solomon which we’ve never really done in the years that we’ve been queering the lectionary text. We talked about the importance of understanding and accepting that sex, sensuality, and pleasure are integral parts of being humans. 

Things we talked about:

Helpful links

If you want to support the Patreon and help keep the podcast up and running, you can learn more and pledge your support at patreon.com/queertheology

If you’d like to be featured in future episodes, email your question or Bible passage suggestion to [email protected]

Listen! It’s my lover: here he comes now,

        leaping upon the mountains,

        bounding over the hills.

My lover is like a gazelle

        or a young stag.

Here he stands now,

        outside our wall,

        peering through the windows,

        peeking through the lattices.

My lover spoke and said to me,

“Rise up, my dearest,

        my fairest, and go.

Here, the winter is past;

        the rains have come and gone.

Blossoms have appeared in the land;

        the season of singing has arrived,

        and the sound of the turtledove is heard in our land.

The green fruit is on the fig tree,

        and the grapevines in bloom are fragrant.

Rise up, my dearest,

        my fairest, and go.

Photo by Sharon McCutcheon

The post The Bible is Sexy AF – Song of Solomon 2:8-13 appeared first on Queer Theology.

In today’s episode, we respond to a reader from Tumblr about managing a long-distance relationship while living with conservative family members. We share our own personal experiences, what we went through, things we did to keep ourselves sane, and so much more.

We also queer this week’s texts which come from Jeremiah 28:5-9 & Matthew 10:40-42. We tackled the importance of understanding biblical contexts in order to better appreciate and explore this week’s lectionary text. We also discussed the prophecies the prophets made and what was their purpose for doing it. There’s so much good stuff in today’s podcast so make sure to stay tuned.

Things we talked about:

Helpful links

If you want to support the Patreon and help keep the podcast up and running, you can learn more and pledge your support at patreon.com/queertheology

If you’d like to be featured in future episodes, email your question or Bible passage suggestion to [email protected] 

Then the prophet Jeremiah responded to Hananiah in the presence of the priests and all the people who were standing in the Lord’s temple. The prophet Jeremiah said: “Indeed. May the Lord do just as you have said! May the Lord fulfill the words that you have prophesied and bring back from Babylon the equipment of the Lord’s temple and all the exiles to this place. However, listen closely to what I have to say to you and all the people: The prophets who came before you and me long ago prophesied war, disaster, and disease against many lands and great kingdoms. So the prophet who prophesies peace is recognized as one who is actually sent by the Lord only when that prophet’s message is fulfilled.”

“Those who receive you are also receiving me, and those who receive me are receiving the one who sent me. Those who receive a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward. Those who receive a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. I assure you that everybody who gives even a cup of cold water to these little ones because they are my disciples will certainly be rewarded.”

Photo by Robert Koorenny

The post Responding To The Call – Jeremiah 28:5-9 & Matthew 10:40-42 appeared first on Queer Theology.

In this episode, we answer a question from a Tumblr follower about finding a way to connect with God. For someone who grew up without a strong, solid foundation it can be very difficult to believe in God. “I just find it difficult to believe that God is really there, that they really exist. I don’t know what to do next.”

We also queer this week’s text from Matthew 10:26-39 which reminds us that we are indeed called to fight. That following our faith asks us to speak our truth and in that same essence, prepare ourselves for the onslaught of pain and conflicts. We’ve heard of the phrase, “pick up and carry your cross…”, but what does it really mean? Stay tuned!

In this episode, we talk about:

Sometimes when I'm at a gay club, I take a step back & watch my friends shower each other with physical affection. Hugs and kisses and winks and nods and silly faces and pinched cheeks and grinding and making out.

If you squint your eyes just right, you can see the Holy Spirit

— Brian & Shay | QueerTheology.com (@QTheology) January 18, 2019

Article mentioned in this episode:

If you want to support the Patreon and help keep the podcast up and running, you can learn more and pledge your support at patreon.com/queertheology

If you’d like to be featured in future episodes, email your question or Bible passage suggestion to [email protected] 

“Therefore, don’t be afraid of those people because nothing is hidden that won’t be revealed, and nothing secret that won’t be brought out into the open. What I say to you in the darkness, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered, announce from the rooftops. Don’t be afraid of those who kill the body but can’t kill the soul. Instead, be afraid of the one who can destroy both body and soul in hell. Aren’t two sparrows sold for a small coin? But not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father knowing about it already. Even the hairs of your head are all counted. Don’t be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows.

“Therefore, everyone who acknowledges me before people, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven. But everyone who denies me before people, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven. 

“Don’t think that I’ve come to bring peace to the earth. I haven’t come to bring peace but a sword. I’ve come to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. People’s enemies are members of their own households.

“Those who love father or mother more than me aren’t worthy of me. Those who love son or daughter more than me aren’t worthy of me. Those who don’t pick up their crosses and follow me aren’t worthy of me. Those who find their lives will lose them, and those who lose their lives because of me will find them.

Photo by Clay Banks

The post Prophetic Troublemaking – Matthew 10:26-39 appeared first on Queer Theology.

In this episode, we answer a question from a Tumblr follower about how the concept of being saved is uncomfortable. To this person, it feels like they have done something wrong hence, they need to “be saved”. This question actually ties in perfectly to the question we answered from last week: that’s at queertheology.com/332.

We also queer this week’s text from Matt 9:35,10:8-23 where we talk about how we are sent out to do the work and proclaim the good news. We are also reminded that if we want to transform the world, it will be an uncomfortable and scary process to go through. 

In this episode, we talk about:

Articles mentioned in this episode:

Why Did Jesus Die (webinar)

Additional Resources:

If you’re looking for books, check out these Black-owned bookstores

If you want to support the Patreon and help keep the podcast up and running, you can learn more and pledge your support at patreon.com/queertheology

If you’d like to be featured in future episodes, email your question or Bible passage suggestion to [email protected]

Jesus traveled among all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, announcing the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness.

Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those with skin diseases, and throw out demons. You received without having to pay. Therefore, give without demanding payment. Workers deserve to be fed, so don’t gather gold or silver or copper coins for your money belts to take on your trips. Don’t take a backpack for the road or two shirts or sandals or a walking stick. Whatever city or village you go into, find somebody in it who is worthy and stay there until you go on your way. When you go into a house, say, ‘Peace!’ If the house is worthy, give it your blessing of peace. But if the house isn’t worthy, take back your blessing. If anyone refuses to welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet as you leave that house or city. I assure you that it will be more bearable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on Judgment Day than it will be for that city.

“Look, I’m sending you as sheep among wolves. Therefore, be wise as snakes and innocent as doves. Watch out for people—because they will hand you over to councils and they will beat you in their synagogues. They will haul you in front of governors and even kings because of me so that you may give your testimony to them and to the Gentiles. Whenever they hand you over, don’t worry about how to speak or what you will say, because what you can say will be given to you at that moment. You aren’t doing the talking, but the Spirit of my Father is doing the talking through you. Brothers and sisters will hand each other over to be executed. A father will turn his child in. Children will defy their parents and have them executed. Everyone will hate you on account of my name. But whoever stands firm until the end will be saved. Whenever they harass you in one city, escape to the next, because I assure that you will not go through all the cities of Israel before the Human One comes.

Photo by Koshu Kunii

The post Stand Firm and Be Saved – Matthew 9:35,10:8-23 appeared first on Queer Theology.

Uprisings for Black Lives Matter continue across the country and around the world, after beginning last week in Minneapolis, where Fr. Shay lives, in response to the murder of George Floyd by the police. The movement continues to swell as we recognize Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, and countless others. As we head into LGBTQ Pride month, we recognize the interconnectedness of all our community’s struggles.

In this episode, we answer a listener question and talk about the concept of the original sin. “From what I’ve seen, at best, it casts all humans as inherently sinful or lesser (which I don’t believe) and at worst, it’s used as a reason to insult/degrade women.”

We also queer this week’s text from 2 Corinthians 13:11-13 & Matthew 28:16-20 which is very timely with what’s going on in the US right now. We are reminded to “Put things in order” or make things right, and to continue to go out there to continue to fight this fight. Black Lives Matter is part of that work.

In this episode, we talk about:

If you want to support the Patreon and help keep the podcast up and running, you can learn more and pledge your support at patreon.com/queertheology

If you’d like to be featured in future episodes, email your question or Bible passage suggestion to [email protected]

Finally, brothers and sisters, good-bye. Put things in order, respond to my encouragement, be in harmony with each other, and live in peace—and the God of love and peace will be with you.

Say hello to each other with a holy kiss. All of God’s people say hello to you.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus told them to go. When they saw him, they worshipped him, but some doubted. Jesus came near and spoke to them, “I’ve received all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything that I’ve commanded you. Look, I myself will be with you every day until the end of this present age.”

Photo by Aarón Blanco Tejedor

The post Original Blessing, Not Sin – 2 Corinthians 13:11-13 & Matthew 28:16-20 appeared first on Queer Theology.

We recorded this episode earlier in the week, before the murder of George Floyd by (now former) Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin. On Friday, we quickly recorded a special introduction to briefly address that injustice and the ensuing organization for justice in Minneapolis, where Fr. Shay. A big part of that for us, as white guys, is to listen to and follow the lead of Black organizers. We share some of that in the episode and below. We’ll talk in more depth about this in next week’s episode.

Organizations mentioned in the “pre-show”

Happy Pentecost! In today’s episode, we answer a reader/listener question that was sent via Tumblr about heaven, hell, and satan. This reader was also wondering if NOT believing any of this would automatically cancel out your Christianity? If you’re interested to know our thoughts around that, then stay tuned. 

We also queer this week’s text from Acts 2:1-21 and we share our love for this passage. We also share how this passage is very relatable for queer folks and the work that we do. There’s so much that we’ve unpacked in this episode and we’re excited to dive into it with all of you.

In this episode, we talk about:

Articles mentioned in the podcast:

If you want to support the Patreon and help keep the podcast up and running, you can learn more and pledge your support at patreon.com/queertheology

If you’d like to be featured in future episodes, email your question or Bible passage suggestion to [email protected] 

Acts 2:1-21

When Pentecost Day arrived, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound from heaven like the howling of a fierce wind filled the entire house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be individual flames of fire alighting on each one of them. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit enabled them to speak.

There were pious Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. When they heard this sound, a crowd gathered. They were mystified because everyone heard them speaking in their native languages. They were surprised and amazed, saying, “Look, aren’t all the people who are speaking Galileans, every one of them? How then can each of us hear them speaking in our native language? Parthians, Medes, and Elamites; as well as residents of Mesopotamia, Judea, and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the regions of Libya bordering Cyrene; and visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism), Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the mighty works of God in our own languages!” They were all surprised and bewildered. Some asked each other, “What does this mean?” Others jeered at them, saying, “They’re full of new wine!”

Peter stood with the other eleven apostles. He raised his voice and declared, “Judeans and everyone living in Jerusalem! Know this! Listen carefully to my words! These people aren’t drunk, as you suspect; after all, it’s only nine o’clock in the morning! Rather, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:

In the last days, God says,

I will pour out my Spirit on all people.

    Your sons and daughters will prophesy.

    Your young will see visions.

    Your elders will dream dreams.

    Even upon my servants, men and women,

        I will pour out my Spirit in those days,

        and they will prophesy.

I will cause wonders to occur in the heavens above

    and signs on the earth below,

        blood and fire and a cloud of smoke.

The sun will be changed into darkness,

    and the moon will be changed into blood,

        before the great and spectacular day of the Lord comes.

And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

Photo by Andrej Lišakov

The post Christianity Checklist? – Acts 2:1-21 appeared first on Queer Theology.