GregColes is back! Actually, he never left. We just split our conversation into two parts. In our first conversation, Greg shared about his coming out story and what advice he'd give to parents with gay kids, and to gay Christians who are thinking of coming out. Speaking of "gay Christians," that phrase is super debated, misunderstood, and has become the subject of much turmoil in the evangelical community. Greg helps us understand what people mean and don't mean by the phrase. We also talk about other words and phrases like "homosexual," "the gay lifestyle," "practicing homosexual," "same-sex attraction," and "the gay agenda." And we discuss whether same-sex attraction, or "being gay," is itself a morally culpable sin from the perspective of a traditional Christian sexual ethic.

#806 - What Does the Term ‘Gay Christian’ Actually Mean? Dr. Greg Coles

Helping believers think Christianly about theological and cultural issues by engaging in curious conversations with a diverse range of thoughtful people.

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Alisa Childers recently had Dr. Christopher Yuan on her YouTube channel to discuss various problems they see in what they call "Side B Christianity," and my name often came up in their critiques. They also offered several critiques of the Exiles in Babylon 2024 conference, which I hosted last month. 

In this episode, I work through their conversation and respond to several things where I believe they have misrepresented what I actually believe. My goal in this episode is not to attack Alisa or Christopher, nor is it to stir up disunity; rather, I simply want to clarify what I believe about important matters related to sexuality and gender, especially in places where others are claiming I believe things that I actually don't. 

Here's the original YouTube conversation between Alisa and Christopher: https://youtu.be/aRNC9b_SZto?si=-5-dCclHfD-ySeFR

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A Response to Alisa Childers and Christopher Yuan

Mia Hughes, a journalist for the think tank Environmental Progress, discusses the controversy surrounding pediatric medical transition and the collision of trans rights with the rights of women and the LGB community. She authored the recently released WPATH files, which expose the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) as an activist group with questionable medical practices. The conversation delves into the history of WPATH, its influence on healthcare for trans-identified people, and the lack of evidence supporting its treatment protocols.

Mia highlights the ethical dilemmas and potential harm caused by the medicalization of gender identity and the irreversible interventions performed on minors. The conversation delves into the harmful effects of gender-affirming medical treatments, particularly on adolescents. Mia discusses the leaked internal discussions from the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) and highlights the lack of scientific evidence and the political activism within the organization. They emphasize the importance of informed consent and the need to protect vulnerable individuals, especially minors, from irreversible medical interventions. The conversation also touches on the potential for future lawsuits and the contrasting approaches to gender-affirming care in North America and Europe.

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Transgender Health Care and the Scandals Revealed in the WPATH Files: Mia Hughes

Elizabeth Woodson, a Bible teacher and theologian, discusses her passion for Bible study, discipleship, and theological education in the local church. She shares her personal journey of searching for the relevance of the gospel in her own life and how it led her to pursue theological education. Elizabeth emphasizes the importance of creating pathways for discipleship and theological education within the church, so that believers can understand and apply the truths of Scripture in their everyday lives.
She also discusses the challenges of busyness and the need for churches to provide meaningful and accessible opportunities for learning and growth. In a post-COVID world, churches have had to explore new opportunities for theological education and discipleship. People are hungry for connection, support, and answers to their questions. There is an opportunity to disciple adults in the basics of the faith and help them grow deeper in their faith. The early church valued theological education and had a rigorous catechism process for new converts. The church today can learn from the past and prioritize discipleship.
Singleness in the church is often misunderstood and undervalued. The church needs to have a deeper theology of singleness and provide community and support for single individuals. The church should prioritize friendships and create a culture where singleness is seen as a beautiful season. The church needs to navigate the volatile political climate with grace, honoring people and holding true to the teachings of Jesus.
Elizabeth Woodson is a Bible teacher, theologian, author, and the Founder of The Woodson Institute, an organization that equips believers to understand and grow in their Christian faith. With over a decade of experience in church ministry, Elizabeth is passionate about creating pathways for discipleship and theological education in the local church. Elizabeth is a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary with a Masters in Christian Education. She is also the author of Embrace Your Life: How To Find Joy When The Life You Have Is Not The Life You Hoped For and From Beginning To Forever: A Study of the Grand Narrative of Scripture. 
Support Theology in the Raw through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theologyintheraw

What Does Theological Discipleship in the Church Look Like? Elizabeth Woodsen

Dr. Michael F. Bird is a biblical scholar and theologian who serves as the Deputy Principle and Lecturer in Theology at Ridley College (Melbourne, Aus), and is the author of over a dozen books, including his recently released Jesus and the Powers, which he co-authored with N.T. Wright. 

In this podcast conversation, we talk all about politics and the gospel, agreeing on so many things and disagreeing about a few other things. 

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What Does Faithful Political Engagement Look Like? Dr. Michael F. Bird

Ed Uszynski sits down with Preston in his basement the day after the "Exiles in Babylon" conference to debrief. This is a raw and authentic convo where we discuss and react to various sessions and speakers. We talk about the GenZ evening, the Israel-Palestine conversation, Deconstruction and Reconstruction, Women, Power & Abuse in the church, and many other topics and speakers at the conference.
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#806 - What Does the Term ‘Gay Christian’ Actually Mean? Dr. Greg Coles

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