Queer theology and Jesus

“Queer theology takes the “revolution” generated by Jesus very seriously. Christ overturns the life/death dualism, by dying and rising again. He transgresses the rule. This transgression of social and gender differences can be found in the Pauline writings according to which “there is no longer slave or free, male or female” (Gal 3, 28).

Remember, Jesus never intended to start another religion. Christianity was originally called “The Way” which was referring to Jesus saying that he was “the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” “Early Jewish Christians referred to themselves as “The Way” (ἡ ὁδός), probably coming from Isaiah 40:3, “prepare the way of the LORD”.^{[web 2][8][9][note 1]} Other Jews also called them “the Nazarenes“.^[8] According to Acts 11:26, the term Christian (Greek: Χριστιανός), meaning “follower of Christ”, was first used in reference to Jesus’s disciples in the city of Antioch.^[11] The earliest recorded use of the term “Christianity” (Greek: Χριστιανισμός) was by Ignatius of Antioch, in around 100 AD.^[12] For more go to: Christianity in the 1st century – Wikipedia.

If Christianity is to survive in the 21st century, it needs to adapt to the younger generation of people who expand the nomenclature, “Gentile” to include people of different sexual identities.

“What do Christianity and queerness have to do with each other? Can Christianity be queered? Queer Theology offers a readable introduction to a difficult debate. Summarizing the various apologetic arguments for the inclusion of queer people in Christianity, Tonstad moves beyond inclusion to argue for a queer theology that builds on the interconnection of theology with sex and money. Thoroughly grounded in queer theory as well as in Christian theology, Queer Theology grapples with the fundamental challenges of the body, sex, and death, as these are where queerness and Christianity find (and, maybe, lose) each other.”

“Linn Tonstad is the best queer theologian of her generation, and she has written a superb introduction to the field. Tonstad lucidly explicates, and she judges, pointing to the limitations of queer theological projects that are insufficiently intersectional in their analysis as well as the possibilities being unleashed by a younger generation of queer theologians who adamantly refuse heteropatriarchy, racism, colonialism, and capitalism–all the while taking Christian traditions seriously.”
–Vincent Lloyd, Associate Professor, Villanova University

Reviewed by: Jamin Andreas Hübner

“The various subdisciplines of theology continue to bloom. One of the most recent developments is queer theology, of which Linn Marie Tonstad (Yale Divinity School) is a pioneer. Her book Queer Theology: Beyond Apologetics, part of the Cascade Companion series, is a popular-level gateway into this field. As the subtitle indicates, however, the book is more than a mere introduction. It goes beyond the various apologetic arguments that have been developed to explore the discipline’s future prospects and directions.”

“The first half of the book looks at basic definitions to the discussion (of which there are many) and offers key clarifications. Queer theology is not simply “about apologetics for the inclusion of sexual and gender minorities in Christianity, but about visions of sociopolitical transformation that alter practices of distinction harming gender and sexual minorities as well as many other minoritized populations” (3). Tonstad spends time deconstructing a host of assumptions and ideas about the book’s subject matter.” Project MUSE – Queer Theology: Beyond Apologetics by Linn Marie Tonstad (review)

Queer theology

“Queer theology is a theological method that has developed out of the philosophical approach of queer theory, built upon scholars such as Marcella Althaus-Reid, Michel Foucault, Gayle Rubin, Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick, and Judith Butler. Queer theology begins with the assumption that gender variance and queer desire have always been present in human history, including faith traditions and their sacred texts such as the Jewish Scriptures and the Bible. It was at one time separated into two separate theologies; gay theology and lesbian theology. Later, the two would merge and expand to become the more inclusive term of queer theology.” Queer theology – Wikipedia

More Thoughts about Queer Theology

“Put simply; Queer Theology has a wrong understanding of what Christian theology is and how it works. The queer theologian Marcella Althaus-Reid labels classical Christian theology as ‘Heterosexual Theology.’She believes that classical Christian theology has been shaped by heterosexual experiences and thinking. This has occurred to such an extent that God has been theologically closeted by traditional theologians. Thus, she can state ‘queering theology is the path of God’s own liberation.’ What Is Queer Theology? | Articles | Living Out

“For me, Queer Theology requires going to the text with imagination- not to make stuff up, but rather to see what is already hidden right in front of our eyes. We have been trained to look away from gender and sexual minorities in the world and in the text. The job of the theologian is to look deeper.” Queer Theology – A Brief Overview | Student Christian Movement

Queer Theology’s Weekly Bible Podcast gives you an LGBTQ perspective on a different Bible passage … every single week

Queer Theology is the longest running LGBTQ+ Christian podcast! After 7 years of following the lectionary, we’re switching it up! From interviews with incredible guests like Amy-Jill Levine, Namoli Brennet, Joy Ladin, Emmy Kegler, Trey Pearson, Dr. Pamela Lightsey (and so many others!) and series on books from the Bible, Sunday School Sex Ed, Scary Things You Might Have Been Taught In Church, and so much more!

Every week you’ll hear a queer and trans take on issues that matter to LGTBQIA+ Christians and our spiritual lives. Queer Theology Podcast

What is Queer Theology? – LLandaff Diocese