Queer Theology

Like most people who love music and art, we understand them as a “voice” or expression of our soul. Art can express and reflect our values. Sometimes, worship music or Christian movies are thought of as separate from other types of art. Is that helpful? And what about Christian media for progressive and LGBTQ people? We address a listener question from our Tumblr on just that topic in today’s episode.

We also queer this week’s text from Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 which ties beautiful. Psalms were songs, what might they teach us about “worship music” today? We explore the intersection of worship music and protest songs? Songs that empower us and allow us to continue the fight.  This is going to be a very lovely, yet thought-provoking episode which we know you all will love. So stay tuned.

In this episode, we talk about:

Name that tune: Contemporary Christian Music Edition

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] 

Let God rise up;

Father of orphans and defender of widows

When you went forth before your people, God,

Bless God!

Photo by Jason Rosewell

The post From Worship Songs to Protest Hymns – Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 appeared first on Queer Theology.

In today’s episode, we talk about very important topics like self-care and mental health as we answer an anonymous question from a listener. The question deals with giving oneself permission to be human, but how does one do that? And what does the Bible say about this problem?

We also queer this week’s text from John 14:15-21. We remind everyone to take the time to accept and honor the divinity that is within us. That while it feels like the world is oppressing us, we can be comforted that Jesus is with us and we have our community behind us, rallying with us. So stay tuned and we hope you learn something from this episode.

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] 

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. I will ask the Father, and he will send another Companion, who will be with you forever. This Companion is the Spirit of Truth, whom the world can’t receive because it neither sees him nor recognizes him. You know him, because he lives with you and will be with you.

“I won’t leave you as orphans. I will come to you. Soon the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Because I live, you will live too. On that day you will know that I am in my Father, you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commandments and keeps them loves me. Whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them.”

Photo by Greg Rakozy

The post Your Inner Divinity – John 14:15-21 appeared first on Queer Theology.

This episode is filled with so much good stuff and we’re excited for you to dive in. We have a question from Bella about how to talk about your faith without making other people uncomfortable. How do we disconnect sharing our faith from some people’s ideas about evangelising people.

We also queer this week’s passage from 1 Peter 2:2-10. We talk about what it means and feels like to be nourished by God’s word and how the experience of queerness and transness can be a touchpoint for the entire church. So stay tuned and enjoy this episode.

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]

Instead, like a newborn baby, desire the pure milk of the word. Nourished by it, you will grow into salvation, since you have tasted that the Lord is good.

Now you are coming to him as to a living stone. Even though this stone was rejected by humans, from God’s perspective it is chosen, valuable. You yourselves are being built like living stones into a spiritual temple. You are being made into a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. Thus it is written in scripture, Look! I am laying a cornerstone in Zion, chosen, valuable. The person who believes in him will never be shamed. So God honors you who believe. For those who refuse to believe, though, the stone the builders tossed aside has become the capstone. This is a stone that makes people stumble and a rock that makes them fall. Because they refuse to believe in the word, they stumble. Indeed, this is the end to which they were appointed. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people who are God’s own possession. You have become this people so that you may speak of the wonderful acts of the one who called you out of darkness into his amazing light. Once you weren’t a people, but now you are God’s people. Once you hadn’t received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Photo by Sharon McCutcheon

The post Queerness is a Cornerstone – 1 Peter 2:2-10 appeared first on Queer Theology.

This episode is filled with so much good stuff and we’re excited for you to dive in. First off, we have a question from Em about how best to find affirming churches. What are the best resources to use to find a community to be part of especially in areas where religious establishments are often homophobic and transphobic?

We also queer this week’s passage from Acts 2:42-47, which is actually one of Brian’s favorites. How the message clearly speaks to us queers and how it simply shows that we are in a very caring community. So stay tuned and enjoy this episode.

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] 

The believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the community, to their shared meals, and to their prayers. A sense of awe came over everyone. God performed many wonders and signs through the apostles. All the believers were united and shared everything. They would sell pieces of property and possessions and distribute the proceeds to everyone who needed them. Every day, they met together in the temple and ate in their homes. They shared food with gladness and simplicity. They praised God and demonstrated God’s goodness to everyone. The Lord added daily to the community those who were being saved.

Photo by Jack Sharp

The post Queerness is Caring – Acts 2:42-47 appeared first on Queer Theology.

In today’s episode, we answer a reader question about how certain ideas about what happened on the cross (what theology geeks call “penal substitutionary atonement”) and other harmful interpretation passages can foster shame and decrease a queer person’s self-esteem. “For some reason, this is something I still struggle with, perhaps due to the toxic church environment I grew up in.” 

We also queer this week’s passage from Luke 24:13-35. We talk about how beautiful it is for Jesus to have made an impact on his disciples that it allows him to reveal himself through simple gestures: gestures and actions that are somehow recognizable to those closest to him. 

In this episode, we talk about:

Remember registration for Queering The Bible is now open and will end on Thursday, April 30, 2020. Learn more about the course to decide if it’s right for you at queertheology.com/queerbible

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] 

Link(s) mentioned in this episode:

On that same day, two disciples were traveling to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking to each other about everything that had happened. While they were discussing these things, Jesus himself arrived and joined them on their journey. They were prevented from recognizing him.

He said to them, “What are you talking about as you walk along?” They stopped, their faces downcast.

The one named Cleopas replied, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who is unaware of the things that have taken place there over the last few days?”

He said to them, “What things?”

They said to him, “The things about Jesus of Nazareth. Because of his powerful deeds and words, he was recognized by God and all the people as a prophet. But our chief priests and our leaders handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him. We had hoped he was the one who would redeem Israel. All these things happened three days ago. But there’s more: Some women from our group have left us stunned. They went to the tomb early this morning and didn’t find his body. They came to us saying that they had even seen a vision of angels who told them he is alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found things just as the women said. They didn’t see him.”

Then Jesus said to them, “You foolish people! Your dull minds keep you from believing all that the prophets talked about. Wasn’t it necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and then enter into his glory?” Then he interpreted for them the things written about himself in all the scriptures, starting with Moses and going through all the Prophets.

When they came to Emmaus, he acted as if he was going on ahead. But they urged him, saying, “Stay with us. It’s nearly evening, and the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. After he took his seat at the table with them, he took the bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he disappeared from their sight. They said to each other, “Weren’t our hearts on fire when he spoke to us along the road and when he explained the scriptures for us?”

They got up right then and returned to Jerusalem. They found the eleven and their companions gathered together. They were saying to each other, “The Lord really has risen! He appeared to Simon!” Then the two disciples described what had happened along the road and how Jesus was made known to them as he broke the bread.

Photo by Debby Hudson

The post Breaking the Bread – Luke 24:13-35 appeared first on Queer Theology.

There is so much work that goes into reading the Bible from a queer lens, but why do we do it? We find value in sharing the good news as it is meant to be – for all. We are called to do this work especially now that we are in the midst of a very troubling time. 

Today we answer a listener question about feeling separated from Christianity while feeling confident in their sexuality. “I’m settled in my bisexuality and polyamory, but I am still a closeted Christian in a lot of areas in my life. Does anyone have experience or relate to that?”

We also queer a text from John 20:19-31, the story about doubting Thomas. We talk about how beautiful this story is and how this has become a transformational tool for both Fr. Shay and Brian. So stay tuned to episode 325.

In this episode, we talk about:

Remember registration for Queering The Bible is now open. Learn more about the course to decide if it’s right for you at queertheology.com/queerbible

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] 

Link(s) mentioned in this episode:

It was still the first day of the week. That evening, while the disciples were behind closed doors because they were afraid of the Jewish authorities, Jesus came and stood among them. He said, “Peace be with you.” After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. When the disciples saw the Lord, they were filled with joy. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, so I am sending you.” Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven; if you don’t forgive them, they aren’t forgiven.”

Thomas, the one called Didymus, one of the Twelve, wasn’t with the disciples when Jesus came. The other disciples told him, “We’ve seen the Lord!”

But he replied, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands, put my finger in the wounds left by the nails, and put my hand into his side, I won’t believe.”

After eight days his disciples were again in a house and Thomas was with them. Even though the doors were locked, Jesus entered and stood among them. He said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here. Look at my hands. Put your hand into my side. No more disbelief. Believe!”

Thomas responded to Jesus, “My Lord and my God!”

Jesus replied, “Do you believe because you see me? Happy are those who don’t see and yet believe.”

Then Jesus did many other miraculous signs in his disciples’ presence, signs that aren’t recorded in this scroll. But these things are written so that you will believe that Jesus is the Christ, God’s Son, and that believing, you will have life in his name.

Photo by Hannah Busing

The post The Transformational Power of Queering Scripture – John 20:19-31 appeared first on Queer Theology.

Happy Easter, everyone. And while we are celebrating Easter very differently this year, we have hope that we can still see the power in Jesus’ resurrection — and have our own resurrection in the midst of this pandemic.

Today we answer a listener question from Jeremy. He wants to clear the confusion he has in his heart regarding Paul — he thinks that Paul condemns homosexuality. Maybe you’ve heard that too?

Then, we queer a text from Matthew 28:1-10. It talks about Jesus’ resurrection and how the angel delivered the news to Mary Magdalene and the other Mary at the tomb. We talk about how women were perfectly placed in the center of this scripture and that it’s so beautiful. We also discussed how queerness shows up in the Bible and throughout the scripture. So stay tuned and enjoy the show. Have a blessed Easter.

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] 

Link(s) mentioned in this episode:

QueerTheology.com/IsItOk

After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the tomb. Look, there was a great earthquake, for an angel from the Lord came down from heaven. Coming to the stone, he rolled it away and sat on it. Now his face was like lightning and his clothes as white as snow. The guards were so terrified of him that they shook with fear and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Don’t be afraid. I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He isn’t here, because he’s been raised from the dead, just as he said. Come, see the place where they laid him. Now hurry, go and tell his disciples, ‘He’s been raised from the dead. He’s going on ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there.’ I’ve given the message to you.”

With great fear and excitement, they hurried away from the tomb and ran to tell his disciples. But Jesus met them and greeted them. They came and grabbed his feet and worshipped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Go and tell my brothers that I am going into Galilee. They will see me there.”

Photo by Bruno van der Kraan

The post Women Take Center Stage – Matthew 28:1-10 appeared first on Queer Theology.

There are times when we are faced with scriptures that don’t really make sense. It’s difficult to put two and two together. But that doesn’t mean that we’ve already failed in understanding it. We have to remember that not being able to discern certain scriptures is perfectly fine. After all, the Bible isn’t always clear. 

In today’s episode, we queer a Bible scripture that a listener requested. This is a text from Mark 11:12-14 which briefly talks about Jesus getting angry at a fig tree for bearing no fruits. Mind you that during that time, the fig tree wasn’t in the season to bear fruit. So listen on to hear what we think about this passage and of Jesus’ anger. 

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] 

Link(s) mentioned in this episode:

The next day, after leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. From far away, he noticed a fig tree in leaf, so he went to see if he could find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing except leaves, since it wasn’t the season for figs. So he said to it, “No one will ever again eat your fruit!” His disciples heard this.

Photo by Steve Knutson

The post Jesus Gets Hangry – Mark 11:12-14 appeared first on Queer Theology.

In today’s episode, we answer a reader question regarding justifying your romantic or sexual desires through the scripture. Is having a sexual relationship a possibility for someone who wants to live a wholly Christ-centered life? “Doesn’t romance introduce the danger of worshiping your partner instead or as well as God?”

We also queer a text from John 11:1-45 that shows us how Jesus is human. That he weeps for the death of a friend. He grieved. But then also shows us the grace of the Lord by waking Lazarus from the dead. It’s also a great reminder for the people around us that they also have the responsibility to make life easier for us – for all of us. 

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]

Link(s) mentioned in this episode:

A certain man, Lazarus, was ill. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. (This was the Mary who anointed the Lord with fragrant oil and wiped his feet with her hair. Her brother Lazarus was ill.) So the sisters sent word to Jesus, saying, “Lord, the one whom you love is ill.”

When he heard this, Jesus said, “This illness isn’t fatal. It’s for the glory of God so that God’s Son can be glorified through it.” Jesus loved Martha, her sister, and Lazarus. When he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed where he was. After two days, he said to his disciples, “Let’s return to Judea again.”

The disciples replied, “Rabbi, the Jewish opposition wants to stone you, but you want to go back?”

Jesus answered, “Aren’t there twelve hours in the day? Whoever walks in the day doesn’t stumble because they see the light of the world. But whoever walks in the night does stumble because the light isn’t in them.”

He continued, “Our friend Lazarus is sleeping, but I am going in order to wake him up.”

The disciples said, “Lord, if he’s sleeping, he will get well.” They thought Jesus meant that Lazarus was in a deep sleep, but Jesus had spoken about Lazarus’ death.

Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died. For your sakes, I’m glad I wasn’t there so that you can believe. Let’s go to him.”

Then Thomas (the one called Didymus) said to the other disciples, “Let us go too so that we may die with Jesus.”

When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Bethany was a little less than two miles from Jerusalem. Many Jews had come to comfort Martha and Mary after their brother’s death. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him, while Mary remained in the house. Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother wouldn’t have died. Even now I know that whatever you ask God, God will give you.”

Jesus told her, “Your brother will rise again.”

Martha replied, “I know that he will rise in the resurrection on the last day.”

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me will live, even though they die. Everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

She replied, “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, God’s Son, the one who is coming into the world.”

After she said this, she went and spoke privately to her sister Mary, “The teacher is here and he’s calling for you.” When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to Jesus. He hadn’t entered the village but was still in the place where Martha had met him. When the Jews who were comforting Mary in the house saw her get up quickly and leave, they followed her. They assumed she was going to mourn at the tomb.

When Mary arrived where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother wouldn’t have died.”

When Jesus saw her crying and the Jews who had come with her crying also, he was deeply disturbed and troubled. He asked, “Where have you laid him?”

They replied, “Lord, come and see.”

Jesus began to cry. The Jews said, “See how much he loved him!” But some of them said, “He healed the eyes of the man born blind. Couldn’t he have kept Lazarus from dying?”

Jesus was deeply disturbed again when he came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone covered the entrance. Jesus said, “Remove the stone.”

Martha, the sister of the dead man, said, “Lord, the smell will be awful! He’s been dead four days.”

Jesus replied, “Didn’t I tell you that if you believe, you will see God’s glory?” So they removed the stone. Jesus looked up and said, “Father, thank you for hearing me. I know you always hear me. I say this for the benefit of the crowd standing here so that they will believe that you sent me.” Having said this, Jesus shouted with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his feet bound and his hands tied, and his face covered with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Untie him and let him go.”

Therefore, many of the Jews who came with Mary and saw what Jesus did believed in him.

Photo by Neal E. Johnson

The post The Humanity of Jesus – John 11:1-45 appeared first on Queer Theology.

Have you ever wondered how Queer Theology started? In today’s episode, we walk down memory lane as we answer a question from Brandon. We take you on a journey on how it all began, what was the main objective when we created Queer Theology.

We queer Psalm 23 which is a bonus text. It’s also very meaningful for us because this is the first text that we covered as the first episode of Queer Theology podcast. Moreover, this text is a listener’s request from Morgan, and also a lectionary text for the week.

Stay tuned and enjoy today’s podcast.

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] 

Link(s) mentioned in this episode:

A psalm of David.

The Lord is my shepherd.

    I lack nothing.

He lets me rest in grassy meadows;

    he leads me to restful waters;

    he keeps me alive.

He guides me in proper paths

    for the sake of his good name.

Even when I walk through the darkest valley,

    I fear no danger because you are with me.

Your rod and your staff—

    they protect me.

You set a table for me

    right in front of my enemies.

You bathe my head in oil;

    my cup is so full it spills over!

Yes, goodness and faithful love

    will pursue me all the days of my life,

    and I will live in the Lord’s house

    as long as I live.

Photo by Michael Mouritz

The post Walking Through the Dark Valley – Psalm 23 appeared first on Queer Theology.