The Queer Christian: Navigating Faith, Church and the Bible

“For, there are some who have been gay from birth, so knit together in their mother's wombs and created in God's image.”

This is a modern, amplified translation of Jesus' words from Matthew 19: 11-12 and the topic of this episode.

Scripture quoted:

· Matthew 19: 11-12 (ESV)

· Matthew 19: 11-12 (King James Version)

· Matthew 19: 12 (Multiple translations)

· Matthew 19: 12 (original Greek)

· Psalm 139: 13

· Genesis 1: 27

Quotes and URLs

Dr. Jack Rogers quote:

…"eunuchs who have been so from birth," is the closest biblical term we have for someone who today we refer to as homosexual.

Reverend Jeff Miner quote: 

www.wouldjesusdiscriminate.org/biblical_evidence/born_gay

In the ancient world, including ancient Jewish culture as reflected in the Talmud, natural or born eunuchs… they were associated with stereotypically effeminate, characteristics and behavior… As we have also seen eunuchs were commonly associated with homosexual desire.

Pastor Rick Brentlinger quote:

Historical evidence beside what Jesus said, indicates that gay, lesbians and transgendered people were included in the group known as eunuchs.

#bible #biblestudy #affirming #gaychristian #queerchristian #Christian #exvangelical #pride #Lgbt #gay #ally #lgbtqia #trans

We look at the traditional view of Isaiah’s blessing, which is surprisingly affirming of sexual minorities. Join me as we look at the great blessing in Isaiah 56: 4-5.

Scripture quoted:

· Isaiah 56: 4-5

· Matthew 19: 11-12

· Galatians 3: 28 (NASB)

· Leviticus 21: 18-20

References and URLs:

Quote from Janet Edmond

“It is difficult to overstate the significance of this story about the Ethiopian eunuch to our modern quest for Biblical insights into homosexuality. The Holy Spirit could have chosen anyone to be the first Gentile Christian, but the Holy Spirit chose an African, sexual minority who showed faith.

“The Bible’s unmistakable message here is one of inclusiveness and of God’s love for all people, regardless of their sexual preferences.”

Bridgeway Bible Commentary by Don Fleming:

“When the Jews returned to Jerusalem, some Gentile converts returned with them. Among these were several eunuchs, possibly people who were previously connected with the palaces in Babylon and Persia. The law of Moses made it plain that eunuchs were to be excluded from the tabernacle worship, probably to discourage the Israelites from making their own people eunuchs (Deuteronomy 23:1). But in the new Jerusalem all foreigners, eunuchs or otherwise, who honour God and keep his law should be allowed to worship in the temple along with godly Israelites”

“Love and obedience towards God, not physical or national characteristics, are the important things in God’s sight. The temple is for the use of all people, not just Jews, because God’s mercy is for all people”

Barn's Bible Commentary:

“For thus saith the Lord unto the eunuchs - Even the eunuchs, who have hitherto been excluded from the privileges of the people of God, and who have been regarded as a separated and degraded people, shall be admitted to the same privileges as others.”

Enduring Word Commentary:

“This also prophesies the passing of the dominance of the Levitical order.”

#bible #biblestudy #affirming #affirmingchurch #gaychristian #queerchristian #Christian #affirmingyouthministries #exchristian #exmormon #belovedarise #youarebloved

In this episode: I discuss with Grandma Clair three things that predict successful relationships and marriages.

From The Gottman Institute: https://www.gottman.com/

· The Magic Relationship Ratio (used in Podcast) https://youtu.be/Xw9SE315GtA

· Four horsemen https://youtu.be/1o30Ps-_8is

· “Bids” https://www.gottman.com/blog/turn-toward-instead-of-away/

· Singles newsletter https://www.gottman.com/singles-newsletter/

12 Year Study of same-sex relationships:

· https://www.gottman.com/blog/the-12-year-study/

· https://www.gottman.com/blog/what-makes-same-sex-relationships-succeed-or-fail/

Smiling

· https://marriagecounselingblog.com/marriage-counseling/6-of-the-most-interesting-research-studies-about-love-and-marriage/

· https://youtu.be/jp42DM0x1Fc

· http://tiny.cc/Smile2

· http://tiny.cc/Smile3

· http://tiny.cc/Smile4

· http://tiny.cc/Smile5

First date questions: https://www.scienceofpeople.com/first-date-questions/

Marriages from online dating: https://www.science.org/content/article/online-dating-really-can-lead-love

Psychopathy (Don’t Marry)

· https://www.mha-em.org/im-looking-for/mental-health-knowledge-base/conditions/127-psychopathy-vs-sociopathy

· https://www.bikellaw.com/blog/37/is-your-husband-a-psychopath/

Gratitude

· http://tiny.cc/Thanks1

· http://tiny.cc/Thanks2

The Power of saying: “thank you” in marriages

· https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/10/151021170814.htm

· https://www.chicagotribune.com/columns/heidi-stevens/ct-gratitude-marital-happiness-balancing-act-heidi-stevens-20151028-column.html

Top things couples fight about

https://www.inc.com/melanie-curtin/the-10-things-every-couple-will-fight-about-at-some-point.html

Scripture used in this episode

· Proverbs 15: 30

· Galatians 5: 22-23

· Matthew 25: 40

· Ephesians 4: 29

· 1 Peter 3: 10

· 1 Thessalonians 5: 11

#Marriage #Dating #Christian #Research #Love

Are the rules for gay sex different than straight sex?

GRANDMA CLAIR’S: SEVEN RULES FOR SAFE SEX:

1) If you can become pregnant get a LARC.

2) When dating go slowly, start with your hands and wait awhile before you move to oral or intercourse.

3) Only have intercourse inside of a monogamous and romantic relationship.

4) ALWAYS use condoms, to protect against STIs.

5) Avoid hook-up sex. And if you do have hook-up sex use only your hands.

6) Wait on oral sex until you are in a long-term, monogamous relationship and have both been tested for STIs.

7) Try to wait until you are 19 to have intercourse.

REPORTS USED:

(Capitalization in tiny URLs matters)

Hook-up Sex Flunks Out, But Romance Rocks:

http://tiny.cc/RomanceRocks

Romantic Sex Lowers Teen Delinquency

http://tiny.cc/SexAndDelinquency

Queer Youth and School Engagement

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2835305/

LARCs Success:

http://tiny.cc/NYTLARCS

http://tiny.cc/LARCSgraduate

http://tiny.cc/OBGYNAdvice

http://tiny.cc/YesLARCS

STIs risks: Oral and Anal Sex verses using hands (fingering)

http://tiny.cc/sti1

http://tiny.cc/sti2

http://tiny.cc/sti3

Kissing and STIs

http://tiny.cc/KissingRisks

http://tiny.cc/Kiss4Gonorrhoea

Percent of Americans Having Premarital Sex

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nsfg/key_statistics/p.htm

http://tiny.cc/Guttmacher2006

http://tiny.cc/TeenSexStats

Teens and STIs

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5002249/

Late Bloomers Rock: Delaying First Intercourse Beyond High School Is Beneficial

http://tiny.cc/DoesTrueLoveWait

http://tiny.cc/HeritageTeenSex

http://tiny.cc/57studiesonTeenSex

A Book of Charts

http://tiny.cc/HeritageCharts

Early Sex in El Salvador and Peru Has Poor Outcomes

http://tiny.cc/TeenSexPeru

Children of Teen Moms

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK219236/

https://voxeu.org/article/why-children-teen-mothers-do-worse-life

Graduation Rates for Teen Moms:

http://tiny.cc/TeenMomsInSchool

#premaritalsex #teensex #Christiansex #gaysex #safesex

From Apple Podcast reviews:

A young man wrote:

“I really don’t know how to say this, but thank you.

Your podcasts helped me stop my suicidal thoughts.

You saved my life…”

A gay mom wrote:

“You put some scriptures that have been used to harm people into perspective.

In my gut, I knew those scriptures didn’t apply to me, but I lacked the ability to articulate that for others.

I have shared your Podcast with dozens of people. I wonder how many gays will not seek suicide because they feel loved and accepted.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for showing love in this world.”

If you’ve been one of our thousands of longtime listeners in over 100 countries– thank you.

Remember, God created you.

He knit you together in your mother’s womb, exactly the way you are, for a purpose, because He wanted someone with precisely your gifts and talents.

God loves you.

You are not a mistake!

You were created by God for a reason!

Stay safe, stay strong, and God bless.

Elton Sherwin.

Millions of Christian’s feel guilt or shame about premarital sex. But should they? What do the Gospels and the 10 Commandments actually say about premarital sex?

This episode is also available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/MYsj67BTnkY

References and URLs

Terry Gross Fresh Air interview of Linda Kay Klein:

Transcript and audio:

https://www.npr.org/transcripts/648737143

Linda Kay Klein’s book, PURE:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DQV274T

“Inside the Purity Movement and Its Effect on Evangelical Women” by Julie Ingersoll University of North Florida

http://tiny.cc/Purity1

Charts used from part 1:

The benefits of church attendance for women (Harvard study):

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2521827

https://ifstudies.org/blog/religious-service-attendance-marriage-and-health/

The association of religiosity and suicide in queer youth:

http://tiny.cc/Queersuicide

http://www.ajpmonline.org/article/S0749-3797(18)30050-3/fulltext

Falling church attendance – Pew research:

http://www.pewforum.org/2019/10/17/in-u-s-decline-of-christianity-continues-at-rapid-pace/

President Carter quote:

https://youtu.be/znTO949aPNg?t=155

http://tiny.cc/Carter2015

More than 1 in 2 Americans will get STD in lifetime

http://tiny.cc/sti4

HPV and Cancer: “HPV is a group of more than 200 related viruses, some of which are spread through vaginal, anal, or oral sex…

https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/infectious-agents/hpv-and-cancer

There is a vaccine for many sexually transmitted cancers:

www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/infectious-agents/hpv-vaccine-fact-sheet

https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/hpv/statistics/cases.htm

#safesex #purity #premaritalsex #teensex #Christiansex #gaysex

Voices: Descript.com #descript

21% of Gen Z identifies as LGBT according to a 2022 Gallup Poll. Both parents and churches are failing to keep them safe.

Research tells us there are surprisingly large benefits to health and wellbeing associated with church attendance. Unfortunately, there is a dark side to religion, particularly for some young Christians and members of the LGBTQIA+ community.

This episode is also available on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/I8oHv9tNAM4

References and URLs

21% of Gen Z identifies as LGBT according to a 2022 Gallup Poll:

https://news.gallup.com/poll/389792/lgbt-identification-ticks-up.aspx

“Homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered" Catechism of the Catholic Church:

http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/2357.htm

Franklin Graham quote:

https://christiansforsocialaction.org/resource/what-are-christians-to-do-with-those-pesky-gay-children/

The benefits of church attendance for women (Harvard study):

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2521827

https://ifstudies.org/blog/religious-service-attendance-marriage-and-health/

Benefits of church attendance for young adults (2ndHarvard study):

http://tiny.cc/Harvardstudy1

https://academic.oup.com/aje/article/187/11/2355/5094534

The association of religiosity and suicide in queer youth:

http://tiny.cc/Queersuicide

http://www.ajpmonline.org/article/S0749-3797(18)30050-3/fulltext

Falling church attendance – Barna Group research:

http://www.barna.com/research/changing-state-of-the-church/

Falling church attendance – Pew research:

http://www.pewforum.org/2019/10/17/in-u-s-decline-of-christianity-continues-at-rapid-pace/

Friendly and Welcoming Is Not Affirming:

http://www.advocate.com/commentary/2018/4/03/difference-between-welcoming-church-and-affirming-one-huge

Trans godparents forbidden in the Catholic Church:

http://www.hrc.org/resources/stances-of-faiths-on-lgbt-issues-roman-catholic-church

http://www.newwaysministry.org/2015/09/13/did-the-vatican-really-ban-transgender-godparents/

#churchtoo #affirmingchurch #gaychristian #FaithfullyLGBT #gay #LGBT

In this episode: We review President Carter’s famous remarks affirming gay marriage. I talk about how these podcasts came to be. And we look briefly at what godly gay sex might look like. We conclude with a short rant on sexual purity.

References:

Religious upbringing linked to better health and well-being during early adulthood

http://tiny.cc/Harvardstudy1

Chilling Study Sums Up Link Between Religion And Suicide For Queer Youth:

http://tiny.cc/Queersuicide

InMenlo online article:

https://inmenlo.com/2022/01/31/elton-sherwin-offers-podcasts-on-the-bible-and-the-lgbtqia-community-here-he-explains-why/

President Carter’s interviews

2012: “Homosexuality was well known in the ancient world…

http://tiny.cc/Carter2012

2015: “I believe Jesus would approve gay marriage…”

http://tiny.cc/Carter2015

“Children born from unplanned pregnancies often face a range of developmental risks. Data indicates that these children report poorer physical and mental health compared to children born as the result of an intended pregnancy”

https://web.archive.org/web/20201024204014/https://www.michigan.gov/ruready/0,4664,7-276-57380_65294---,00.html(loads slowly)

“Almost half of pregnancies in the U.S. are unplanned. There’s a surprisingly easy way to change that”

http://tiny.cc/WPOonLARCS

More than 1 in 2 Americans will get STD in lifetime

www.sctimes.com/story/life/wellness/2015/08/21/americans--get-std-lifetime/32123427/

HPV and Cancer: “HPV is a group of more than 200 related viruses, some of which are spread through vaginal, anal, or oral sex…

https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/infectious-agents/hpv-and-cancer

There is a vaccine for many sexually transmitted cancers:

www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/infectious-agents/hpv-vaccine-fact-sheet

90% cervical cancers from STIs

“In general, HPV is thought to be responsible for more than 90% of anal and cervical cancers, about 70% of vaginal and vulvar cancers, and more than 60% of penile cancers.”

https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/hpv/statistics/index.htm

https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/hpv/statistics/cases.htm

In this famous—but often misinterpreted—story we see God emphasizing that the Gospel message is inclusive and open to all. And that the kingdom of heaven does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender or sexual orientation. From the Book of Acts, chapter 8 verses 26 to 40.

References and URLs:

Quotes from Janet Edmonds:

https://serendipitydodah.wordpress.com/2017/02/27/the-clobber-verses

Quote from Rev. Jeff Miner and John Tyler Connoley in

The Children Are Free: Reexamining the Biblical Evidence on Same-sex Relationships:

https://books.google.com/books?id=c3uCTACZ46sC&pg=PA42

See the last full paragraph on page 42, then read the surrounding pages

Additional Reverend Jeff Miner resources:

www.wouldjesusdiscriminate.org/biblical_evidence/born_gay

and books: www.amazon.com/s?i=stripbooks&rh=p_27%3ARev.+Jeff+Miner

Recent article from InMenlo on the origins of this series:

https://inmenlo.com/2022/01/31/elton-sherwin-offers-podcasts-on-the-bible-and-the-lgbtqia-community-here-he-explains-why/

For more from my research about eunuchs in antiquity, see the notes in episode 6.

#affirmingchurch #gaychristian #lgbtpride #FaithfullyLGBT #affirming #lgbtchristian #gay #LGBT #pride #biblestudy #dobetteryounglife #EltonsPodcasts #gaychristian #queerchristian #affirming #queerparenting #christianparenting #queerkids #queerteen #queerteens #transchristian #lgbtchristian #affirmingchristian #lgbtpride #pride #trans #Lgbt #gay #ally #allies #affirmingchurch #FaithfullyLGBT #queerallies #Christian #belovedarise #queer #lgbtyouth #queerpride #lgbtqpride #progressivechristian #lgbtqteens #lesbian #comingout #youth #jesus #god #qeerpride #religioustrauma #progressivechristianity #exchristian #exmormon

We continue our LGBTQIA+ positive and affirming look at the Bible. In this episode we look at same-sex marriage and gender-neutral pronouns in light of Paul's writings (in Galatians 3.28 and 1 Corinthians 7.8).

Having authored three of the infamous clobber verses, the apostle Paul is generally considered hostile to the LGBTQIA+ community. But in this episode, we see one of the most controversial of the biblical authors in a different light.

We will examine Paul’s clobber verses in a future episode

Poem: Would the Apostle Paul Approve of Gay Marriage?

Would the apostle Paul approve of gay marriage?

I think you would.

On most topics involving women sex or marriage.

Paul's writings are a bit confusing.

In several instances, his meaning is obscured.

The exact translation of old Greek words lost to antiquity.

And in at least one instance, he seems to have made up a word.

Nevertheless:

Paul—who never married—has become the Bible's authority on marriage.

And on the topic of marriage.

Paul's clearest easiest to understand guidance is in his first letter to the new believers in the Greek city of Corinth

“Now to the unmarried and the widows

I say it is good for them to stay unmarried as I do,

but if they cannot control themselves, they should marry

For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.”

1 Corinthians 7: 8-9.

Doesn't this perfectly describe some gay couples?

“…If they cannot control themselves,

they should marry

for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.

I can see this becoming quite popular in gay weddings.

Jonathan, and David, stand here today, obedient to the Apostle Paul, who said:

It is good to stay unmarried.

But if you cannot control yourselves, you should marry.

So, today, we celebrate the uniting of Jonathan and David

I look forward to the YouTube videos of weddings using this scripture.

And I will celebrate the day when all churches will heed Paul’s words

and marry couples regardless of their sexual orientation or gender

Postscript: One of my early reviewers noted that some believe Paul may, at one time, have been married. I had never heard this. You can read about this controversy at:

https://www.gotquestions.org/apostle-Paul-married.html

#BibleStudy #affirmingchurch #gaychristian #lgbtpride #FaithfullyLGBT #affirming #lgbtchristian #pride #dobetteryounglife