2012
Jesus in drag
Read more: Jesus in dragWhy are you doing this? Why do you take such an interest in the LGBTQ and sexuality? The question has been asked of me many times. By my leaders, by the people in my congregation and by my family. In fact I think it was my brother who asked the million dollar question one day…
Who is queer?
Read more: Who is queer?I am not underprivileged, marginalised or persecuted in any ways. I am a Caucasian, heterosexual male with a DipHE in Theology and Mission. I am employed as a full time minister, doing what I love to do: to teach theology; to build and nurture relationships; to be a sign towards a mystery I may never…
Getting down and dirty with god.
Read more: Getting down and dirty with god.“God is not sexual” my friend stated matter-of-factly. It is odd that he did because he also does not believe in god. How the god he does not believe in can be, or not be, anything is beyond me. It is a common notion though to separate the divine from the worldly. It is even…
A recipe for more queer theology (or the shameless hat in hand post)
Read more: A recipe for more queer theology (or the shameless hat in hand post)Every now and then I post something like this. It is always with one tablespoon shame and a teaspoon of hope. It’s with a handful of trepidation and some good old fashioned fear thrown in for good measure. I read a lot, if you know me and hang out with me, then you know that…
Sex as a sacrament.
Read more: Sex as a sacrament.There was this praise song on my favorite worship album, it always bugged me. “Take me, I am yours”, the woman sang with such throaty passion that it sounded almost sexual, indecent. I mentioned it once to a friend who told me, it’s just your perverted mind that hears it like that. I never broach…
Meeting an adulterous god
Read more: Meeting an adulterous godI don’t know how I never saw it; One of the tenets of classical biblicism is faithfulness, I mean I even have it tattooed on my body, inked onto my skin so as to never forget. It is a label given to me by the voice of god on top of a mountain in wales.…
The centrality of sexuality
Read more: The centrality of sexualityWhy is this such a big deal? Why does it matter? It should be a non issue! This is what both right wing and left wing, conservatives and liberals are saying all over the place. In churches people are taught that their sexuality, while important, is not essential. Sexuality does not define you, or who…
How I became a queer theologian a desert journey
Read more: How I became a queer theologian a desert journeyLast week my friend Samuel decided to reblog one of my posts on LGBTQ and the church. Promptly someone questioned if I really had written the piece as I had taught a very different gospel at said persons confirmation camp. I had to reply that I have been (am still) on a long theological pilgrimage.…
Pirate box!
Read more: Pirate box!So last week I started my little geek project and after much ado it is now finished and our kafé has a pirate box with the potential to viraly spread ideas thoughts, documents freely. The package arrived from iSupply.se within days with the tiny wireless router TL-mr3020. I was astonished that such a small thing…
What would you put on your Pirate Box?
Read more: What would you put on your Pirate Box?Geek as I am, I have stumbled upon “Pirate Box” and realised i must build one (and I shall, and I will, and it will show up at a cafe near you, if you are anywhere near Malmö, Sweden.) However as I am home still something sick and I can’t start this exciting project right…
A mythical childlike faith
Read more: A mythical childlike faithWe have for some time, on my swedish blog, and in our corps, been excavating the Salvation Army’s doctrines. When you talk about the doctrines it easily becomes an abstract discussion far away from any reality we might live in. -Why should it be so complicated? -Why do we find out and know everything? The…
On deep theological waters
Read more: On deep theological watersWhenever I speak about Pirate Theology, I am asked what kind of theology it is. Specifically if it is liberal or conservative (it seems that these two are only viable options in the Swedish discourse right now). When I wrote my series on LGBTQ, one of the comments I received was that I had a “liberal theology”. The…
Meanwhile in another part of the Salvation Army
Read more: Meanwhile in another part of the Salvation ArmyThe conversation is still going on. Johnny Laird (who kindly posted a blogpost about my article series on LGBTQ) reminded me of this excellent video segment from Just Salvos featuring an interview with Jay Bakker: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jKbWepVs5I[/youtube] I think the most important part of this video clip is the realigning of the LGBTQ issue from a sin…
LGBTQ part 12 – coming out
Read more: LGBTQ part 12 – coming outSitting here pondering and reflecting on some of the discussions that have come out of LGBT posts here on the blog. The first thing that strikes me is that there are so few persons leaving comments in relation to the high number of visitors. I think that fear may be a large factor, both for…
LGBTQ part 11 – Continued conversation
Read more: LGBTQ part 11 – Continued conversationFollowing many words and much wrestling with the scriptures, doctrines, and my own faith, I have come to find, that no matter how I read the biblical text, I can never escape from my commission to love the Lord with all my soul, with all my heart and with all my strength. And to love…
LGBTQ part 10 – Recommended reading
Read more: LGBTQ part 10 – Recommended readingRecommended reading Andrew Marin – Love as an Orientation – Elevating the conversation with the gay community. (Paperback – Amazon UK, Kindle International) Jay Bakker – Fall to grace – A Revolution of God, Self & Society (Hardcover – Amazon UK, Kindle international) Walter Wink – Homosexuality and Christian Faith: Questions of conscience for the churches (Paperback – Amzon UK, Kindle…
LGBTQ part 9 – The Salvation Army
Read more: LGBTQ part 9 – The Salvation ArmyThe problem persists in the Salvation Army, of today. In which way can we include LGBTQ persons in our fellowship without creating groupings; an A team and a B team? How can the Corps offer (church) membership in the Salvation Army in a positive manner that allows LGBTQ persons to feel valued, appreciated and loved…
LGBTQ part 8 – Four possible approaches
Read more: LGBTQ part 8 – Four possible approachesThere are probably as many ways to approach LGBTQ issues as there are people with opinions. What follows is a summary of the second half of “One family’s story” written by Bishop Paul Wenner Egertson and found in Walter Wink’s book: Homosexuality and the Christian Faith (pages 28-30). Bishop Paul Wenner Egertson depicts four different approaches to…
LGBTQ part 7 – Pastoral care
Read more: LGBTQ part 7 – Pastoral careThe LGBTQ issue has always created friction between the way we understand and interpret the Bible’s view of holiness and how we as pastors are to preserve order, caring for and counselling LGBTQ people. The greatest dichotomy is perhaps between whether we are called to “liberate” LGBTQ people or to have a conversation with LGBTQ…
LGBTQ part 6 – Double standards
Read more: LGBTQ part 6 – Double standardsThe church in general and the SA in particular (at least for the moment) in the aftermath of the Eyewitness News program “Cold Facts” – followed closely in FSAOF blog) is under constant attack from the public where the Church is called to account for the prevailing double standards and selective biblical adherence. There are…
LGBTQ part 5 – Jesus
Read more: LGBTQ part 5 – JesusAfter a review of the scriptures that have traditionally been used to describe and condemn homosexual acts, it’s deemed important to consider Jesus’ awkward silence on the issue. It is not unimportant to note that Jesus did not speak out on this issue. Jesus is the head of the Church and the individual disciples’ headmaster.…
LGBTQ part 4 – Scripture
Read more: LGBTQ part 4 – ScriptureOf course, one must carefully consider the scripture portions that deal with homosexuality. It may be interesting to take into account the fact that there are six Bible verses (three OT and three NT) and two Old Testament stories traditionally associated with homosexuality. Set this against the more than 600 Bible verses that talk about…
LGBTQ part 3 – Science
Read more: LGBTQ part 3 – SciencePart 3 -2012 LGBTQ and Science Before moving to and delving into the depth of the biblical text, we might want to look at what science has to say on the GLBT issue, primarily to clarify the position (starting point) on which the following texts are based. An entire dissertation could be written on what science…
LGBTQ part 2 – Hermeneutics
Read more: LGBTQ part 2 – HermeneuticsLGBTQ Part – 2 “ We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments were given by inspiration of God, and that they only constitute the Divine rule of Christian faith and practice.“ These are the opening words of the Salvation Army’s eleven doctrines. And it is here that one must begin each theological discussion.…
LGBTQ part 1 – Introduction
Read more: LGBTQ part 1 – IntroductionPart 1 – Introduction From the Swedish – HBTQ: Homosexual. Bisexual, Transgender, Queer movement in Sweden 2012 It was an ordinary day (as if there are ordinary days for those who follow the Spirit’s leading), and the Holy Spirit tells Philip that he must go down to the desert road. There Philip is instructed to stay…
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