Queer Theology

Come & Follow – Matthew 4:12-23

How is Jesus’ call to “come and follow” different from his call in last week’s passage to “come and see”? What does it mean to leave everything and follow Jesus? What does this call say to queer and transgender people in today’s world? Listen in to the conversation! Photo by Leo Hidalgo The post Come & Follow – Matthew 4:12-23 appeared first on Queer Theology.

Come & See – John 1:29-42

Brian and Shay share what resonates with them in this passage from John. What does the call of Jesus to “come and see” have to do with queer theology? What does it mean for us as queer people to invite others to “come and see”? Photo by mugley The post Come & See – John 1:29-42 appeared first on Queer Theology.

Marking Moments – Matthew 3:13-17

What does the baptism of Jesus have to say to queer and trans people of faith? What is the importance of having rituals to mark changes in life situation? What new rituals do we need to develop as a church? Brian and Shay tackle all of this and more on this week’s Queer Lectionary Podcast. The post Marking Moments – Matthew 3:13-17 appeared first on Queer Theology.

Sanding Down the Edges John 1:1-18

How does history treat heroes? What do Martin Luther King Jr., the Stonewall Riots, Jesus, and Harvey Milk have in common? What does this John passage mean to queer and trans people? Tune in for a lively discussion about what it means to be prophetic. The post Sanding Down the Edges John 1:1-18 appeared first on Queer Theology.

What Kind of King? Isaiah 9:2-7

Merry Christmas from Brian and Shay! Today we’re talking about the lectionary passage for December 24. What kind of future does the prophet Isaiah paint? What message does it have for those of us working for queer liberation? The post What Kind of King? Isaiah 9:2-7 appeared first on Queer Theology.

What Child Is This? Matthew 1:18-24

What’s up with Matthew’s birth narrative? What does it mean that Jesus was born where and when he was? What can we learn from this story as queer people? Brian and Shay tackle a common Christmas story and put a queer spin on it. The post What Child Is This? Matthew 1:18-24 appeared first on Queer Theology.

Waiting on Advent

Isaiah 35:1-10, Psalm 146:5-10 Brian and Shay talk about the meaning of Advent and how counter-cultural it is. What can we learn from waiting and longing? How does the Christmas story go against our American sensibilities? The post Waiting on Advent appeared first on Queer Theology.

Prepare the Way of the Lord – Matthew 3:1-12

Brian and Shay tackle the Gospel passage for the second week of Advent. What is it about John the Baptist that is so captivating? What can queer and trans people learn from the message in these verses? The post Prepare the Way of the Lord – Matthew 3:1-12 appeared first on Queer Theology.

Choosing to Die – Luke 23:33-43

What about the story of Jesus crucifixion between two thieves is so compelling? Brian and Shay talk about this text and how it confronts us and forces us to change. The post Choosing to Die – Luke 23:33-43 appeared first on Queer Theology.

War on Who? – Luke 21:5-19

This week we talk about what it means to be persecuted for your faith. Is there really a war on Christians in the United States? How do we understand Jesus’ words in Luke that say we will be hated by those around us? The post War on Who? – Luke 21:5-19 appeared first on Queer Theology.

Transgender Day of Remembrance 2013

Brian and Shay have a special podcast for Transgender Day of Remembrance. They talk about what this day means to them and offer specific ways that you can observe this special event. To learn more about Transgender Day of Remembrance visit www.transgenderdor.org The post Transgender Day of Remembrance 2013 appeared first on Queer Theology.

All Saints Day 2013

Who Are Your Saints? Brian and Shay talk about the festival of All Saints. What does it mean to have a day to remember and celebrate the saints? How can All Saints’ Day be commemorated queerly? The post All Saints Day 2013 appeared first on Queer Theology.

What about sin? – Luke 28:9-14

Brian and Shay tackle this week’s uncomfortable Gospel reading. What is the difference between the tax collector and the Pharisee? What does this passage have to say to us today? The post What about sin? – Luke 28:9-14 appeared first on Queer Theology.

Wrestling With God – Genesis 32:22-31

This week Brian and Shay talk Jacob wrestling with God. What is it about this story that is so meaningful to both of them? Why does the idea of wrestling with God matter? Listen in and then share your comments! Read the transcript (PDF)

Do the Easy Thing – 2 Kings 5:1-15

Brian and Shay take a look at the story of Naaman and explore how it compares to the queer experience. Why do we sometimes believe we have to make things hard on ourselves? What would it look like if we simply decided to do the easy thing instead. Read the transcript (PDF) 2 Kings 5:1-15 […] The post Do the Easy Thing – 2 Kings 5:1-15 appeared first on Queer Theology.

Fan the Flame – 2 Timothy 1:1-14

Brian and Shay talk about the gift of queer testimony and making space for queer and trans* people to tell their stories. Check out this year’s Queer Theology Synchroblog! The post Fan the Flame – 2 Timothy 1:1-14 appeared first on Queer Theology.

Names – Luke 16:19-31

Brian and Shay talk about the story of Lazarus and the Rich Man in this week’s podcast. What are the importance of names in the story? What are the importance of names in the queer community? Tackling issues of Transgender Day of Remembrance and more, Brian and Shay queer this familiar story. The post Names – Luke 16:19-31 appeared first on Queer Theology.

Is There a Balm in Gilead? – Jeremiah 8:18-9:1

What is the role of negative emotion in the life of a Christian? Is it ever okay to be angry and rage? What is the role of a preacher in creating space for anger? Brian and Shay tackle a passage from Jeremiah.   Photo credit: Original by Moyan Brenn, modified under Creative Commons The post Is There a Balm in Gilead? – Jeremiah 8:18-9:1 appeared first on Queer Theology.

Where do you fit in? – Luke 15:1-10

Jesus tells two parables about lost things and Brian and Shay wonder about where we find ourselves in Jesus’ stories. Are you the shepherd or the sheep? The widow or the coin? Or are you one of the legal experts listening? How does our social location determine how we hear Jesus’ stories? The post Where do you fit in? – Luke 15:1-10 appeared first on Queer Theology.

A Cost Involved: Luke 14:25-33

Brian and Shay tackle a tough discipleship passage in Luke. What is required of us when we follow Jesus? How does this passage speak to people who consider themselves allies of the queer and/or trans* community? We think the call to discipleship is harder and more exciting than we’ve been taught as of late. The post A Cost Involved: Luke 14:25-33 appeared first on Queer Theology.

Missing the Point – Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16

Brian and Shay tackle a passage that talks about marriage and sexual immorality! We talk about overcoming our own fear in reclaiming this text and also about the propensity of people to miss the point of this passage. With a dash of queer sexual ethics thrown in and a shifting of focus to radical politics, […] The post Missing the Point – Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16 appeared first on Queer Theology.

What Will You Be Called? – Isaiah 58:9b-14

This week we talk about how the prevalence of texts about justice and how much that means to us as people of faith. We also ask questions about what our communities think of us and if we’re really making a difference. Read the transcript (PDF) Isaiah 58:9b-14 Then you will call, and the Lord will […] The post What Will You Be Called? – Isaiah 58:9b-14 appeared first on Queer Theology.

Run The Race – Hebrews 11:29-12:2

What does it mean to have faith? Who belongs in our “great cloud of witnesses”? Brian and Shay talk about the lectionary texts for August 18, 2013; Hebrews 11:29-12:2 and explore how they can be read queerly. The post Run The Race – Hebrews 11:29-12:2 appeared first on Queer Theology.

What Worship Is Required? – Isaiah 1:10-20

Brian and Shay talk about the prophetic call of the Isaiah passage. What does this passage teach us about the Biblical interpretation of Sodom and Gomorrah? What is our responsibility when it comes to being the church? What does conversion mean? Read the transcript (PDF) Isaiah 1:10-20 Hear the word of the Lord, you rulers […] The post What Worship Is Required? – Isaiah 1:10-20 appeared first on Queer Theology.

Communal Tradition – Psalm 107

Brian and Shay talk about how the Psalms can bring meaning to community. What role do the Psalms play in communal dreaming? How do these songs give hope in the face of oppression. Read the transcript (PDF) Psalm 107 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Let the redeemed […] The post Communal Tradition – Psalm 107 appeared first on Queer Theology.

What Are You Asking For? Luke 11:1-13

Brian and Shay talk about the importance of dreaming big dreams and asking for audacious requests. What are the things we’re asking for from our church communities? Where should our dreams be bigger and our asks more daring? The post What Are You Asking For? Luke 11:1-13 appeared first on Queer Theology.

What’s Your Role? Luke 10:38-42

Brian and Shay talk about Mary and how she violates gender roles in order to be closer to Jesus and what the implications are for the church today. The post What’s Your Role? Luke 10:38-42 appeared first on Queer Theology.

It’s In Your Heart: Deut 30:9-14

Brian and Shay talk about the message that queer people have been given. We talk about learning to trust ourselves, to trust our experiences, and to speak from our truth. Read the transcript (PDF) The post It’s In Your Heart: Deut 30:9-14 appeared first on Queer Theology.

Shake It Off – Luke 10:1-11

Brian and Shay talk about what it means to leave a church or a community as a form of protest. When you decide to leave, how should you do it? What does it mean to leave a community? Read the transcript (PDF) The post Shake It Off – Luke 10:1-11 appeared first on Queer Theology.

Passing the Mantle – 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14

Brian and Shay talk about how important it is to honor the people who came before us and also to pass off the work to a new generation. How can we handle transitions well? How do we create rituals to mark important moments in our lives? Read the transcript (PDF) 2 Kings 2:1-2 Now the […] The post Passing the Mantle – 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14 appeared first on Queer Theology.

Got Demons? – Luke 8:26-39

Brian and Shay talk about the political overtones of the casting demons into the swine and what it means for us as American citizens. What could it mean for us as queer people, as Americans, and as Christians to “de-colonize” our minds? Read the transcript (PDF) Luke 8:26-39 They sailed to the region of the […] The post Got Demons? – Luke 8:26-39 appeared first on Queer Theology.

How are sins forgiven? Luke 7:36-8:3

This week, Brian & Fr. Shay look at Jesus’s encounter with a “sinful woman” and — perhaps more importantly — Simon’s reaction to the experience. What sins are forgiven? How? And why? We cover all that and more, queerly as often, in this week’s podcast. Take a listen! (6:01) The post How are sins forgiven? Luke 7:36-8:3 appeared first on Queer Theology.

Don’t Ask Permission: Galatians 1:11-24

Galatians 1: 11-24: In this podcast Brian and Shay talk about recovering from fundamentalism and what it means to be converted. We also talk about asking for permission and trusting our own stories. (4:48) We’d love to hear your thoughts on this week’s reading and on the episode, leave a comment below or shoot an […] The post Don’t Ask Permission: Galatians 1:11-24 appeared first on Queer Theology.

Which Gospel do you follow? – Galatians 1:1-12

This week on Reading Queerly, Fr Shay and Brian give unpack Galatians 1:1 – 12 and offer a few tips for pastors looking to preach on this text. We talk about defining the Gospel of Jesus Being courageous to preach a costly Gospel and the rewards of following Christ (4:54) The post Which Gospel do you follow? – Galatians 1:1-12 appeared first on Queer Theology.

Holy Flamers: Pentecost Sunday 2013

It’s Pentecost this Sunday and this week on Reading Queerly: The Queer Lectionary Podcast, we’re talking about the story of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-21) and Romans 8:14-17. This episode is–suprisingly–flaming pun-free. We do talk about The Spirit of God Trusting that we our children (and heirs!) of God Is there a “right” way to be gay/queer/trans? […] The post Holy Flamers: Pentecost Sunday 2013 appeared first on Queer Theology.

Introducing Queer Theology’s Weekly Bible Podcast – Psalm 23

Welcome to the very first episode of Reading Queerly, the Queer Theology podcast. In each podcast, we take a queer […] The post Introducing Queer Theology’s Weekly Bible Podcast – Psalm 23 appeared first on Queer Theology.

Faith In Action & Costly Conversion: Acts 16:16-34

In this episode of Reading Queerly: The Queer Lectionary Podcast, Shay and I look at Acts 16:16 – 34 from this Sunday’s lectionary. Here’s what’s in store for you: Paul & Silas come into conflict with businessmen and the government — what does that mean for us? How are faith asks us to do risky […] The post Faith In Action & Costly Conversion: Acts 16:16-34 appeared first on Queer Theology.

Do you want to be healed? John 1:5 – 9

Another week, another Reading Queerly: Queer Lectionary Podcast episode! This week, it’s John 1:5-9 In this episode, we talk about Finding healing (and healing ourselves) Coming out of anti-LGBT theology Self-determination and liberation How we learned to love & accept ourselves as LGBT people Who has power and authority to speak on faith We’d love to hear […]

Queer Lectionary: Acts 11:1 – 8 & Revelation 21:1 – 6

Reading Queerly: Queer Lectionary Podcast

Do you wish Sunday morning sermons were a bit more queer? So do we. That’s why we started the Reading Queerly Queer Lectionary Podcast. Each week, we’ll take a look at the lectionary readings and give our queer take one or two of ’em. Here’s the very first episode where Shay & I look at […]