Queer Theology
Ask Me Anything
Week 22: Queer Theology
Am I allowed to be queer? My old church told me that you could be gay, but couldn’t “act on it” or be in a relationship.
The Bible has been used to try an answer the unknown. I am in no position to make definitive claims about scripture, because scripture is not meant to be a proof text, though it is treated as such. Personally, after searching through the context of the clobber passages (as they are often called), and through experience and faith interpretation, I believe there is no issue with being queer. I believe that any time we are fully expressing ourselves, and in any sort of loving relationship, we experience holiness. I don’t think it is a "sin" to "act on it."
There is so much room for theological interpretation for all areas of life, and relationship, identity and orientation are not excluded. It is a stretch to say that the Bible is definitive and clear on the subject, because quite honestly the bible isn’t clear on the way it defines God, let alone human sexuality. This YouTube video, Has “Homosexual” always been in the Bible?, shares more context about the words, and danger of using the Bible as a proof text.
Let's talk about what the Bible has to say about "homosexuality." Passages that address homosexuality make up less than 1% of the bible. The clobber passages are: Genesis 9:20–27; Genesis 19:1–11; Leviticus 18:22; Leviticus 20:13; 1 Corinthians 6:9–10; 1 Timothy 1:10; Romans 1:26–27. However, even these passages have been mistranslated in harmful ways. The RSV translation, released in 1946, was the first English translation to use the word "homosexuality." Before this, the words were more closely translated to the meaning of the original Greek words: arsenokoitai (pederasty) and malakoi (meaning soft). Historically these texts have been understood differently until the RSV translation in 1946, which was the first English translation that included the word "homosexuality." Before this translation, the word homosexuality made no appearance. Let's dig into the context of these words.
In the Neighborhood, we are big on asking questions. It is in our vision statement: Question Everything, Love God, Love Neighbor. We have spent this entire year doing a series based on asking questions. Not only is it crucial for our faith, it's crucial for our relationships and self-identity. When we keep asking questions about our loved ones, and friends, we allow them room and opportunity to continue evolving their identities. For example, a lot of times, it is hardest for queer people to come out to the people who know them best, because they feel boxed into a certain identity. When we continue to ask for pronouns, preferred names, and allowing people to identify instead of identifying for them, we create room for freedom and expression. In this space, for newcomers, and in our Discord we ask about pronouns. And we've had people change their nametags because they've found a name that they identify with. I want to always make space for this. I have a friend who has been out for years, but jokes that they have to continuously come out to family and friends, because they are continuously realizing pieces of their identity. Whether that is orientation, gender identity, preferred name, etc. We are all constantly realizing ourselves, and it's good to keep asking questions.
16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.
17 This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus.
18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
19 We love because he first loved us.
20 Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.
21 And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.
Christ embodies love. Jesus commands again and again that it is about love. He asked questions, he subverted the norms and fought for justice. Love is commanded above everything else. Fear does not inspire love. My heart breaks that people have been told in churches to hate those who are different. I grieve for those who went to churches seeking freedom and answers, and were told to hate. I grieve for the pastors who were passionate about learning and went to school and were taught specific interpretations, and taught to argue and "defend" the Bible. I grieve for the harm, trauma, and abuse that has happened to countless Queer people because of it. When we get so caught up in being right we forget to love. Love isn't easy, and it is the thing we are told to fight for and cling to.
In The Deconstructionist’s Playbook, author Emily Joy Allison writes, "Often, our churches are the most dangerous, oppressive, and life-draining places for LGBTQIA+ folks; and that is by design, rather than by accident. But the Psalms tell a different story about the goodness of our created selves rather than either our homophobic culture or our homophobic faith communities do. Psalms 139 reminds us that we are made as we should have been, in all the glorious, resplendent, variations of human beings.”
1 You have searched me, Lord,
and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue
you, Lord, know it completely.
5 You hem me in behind and before,
and you lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.
7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,”
12 even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.
13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts, God!
How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand—
when I awake, I am still with you.
Conversation Starters:
What in this crew guide stood out to you?
What thoughts or feelings did it bring up?
Did you learn anything new?
Resources:
Deconstructionists Playbook (Chapter 10)
Forge - Has “Homosexual” always been in the Bible
YouTube - Has “Homosexual” always been in the Bible?
TEDxEdgemontSchool - What the Bible says about homosexuality