In this episode, we answer a question from Tumblr needing help finding proof that they can share with their mother. The follower wants to help their mother come around to the idea that one’s sexual or gender orientation is not a condemnation to hell. “Do you guys have any ideas on verses, passages, or stories with which I can prove to my mom that anyone ‘living a gay lifestyle’ (her choice of words, not mine) can still go to heaven?”
We then queer the text from James that practically says that you don’t have to be the teacher or leader or spokesperson for the community right off the bat. This goes especially to those who recently come out or those who feel burdened to carry the flag and teach the world about queerness. Remember that you are still in the process of getting to know your identity more. So just let those who have come before you do the work first and, until you are ready to lead, take the backseat and figure out who you are first.
- What’s going on with Brian and Fr. Shay? [0:40]
- Listener question from Tumblr asking for any Biblical proof that queer folks can still go to heaven [9:31]
- Why Fr. Shay thinks this is a hard question to answer [10:13]
- What queer history has taught us about finding the “right” passage [12:33]
- More about the Soul Safe workshop [15:22]
- Queering the text: James 3:1-12 [18:07]
- Why Brian associates this text with the social media platform: Twitter [19:36]
- The importance of learning when to be a student, leader, teacher, volunteer, etc. [23:19]
- The impulse to become a leader [24:41]
Links and video mentioned in the podcast:
Brian talks about Leviticus for 3 hours with a Baptist preacher, click here to see what he learned
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