In today’s episode, we answer a listener question wondering about the concepts of sin and Hell, and how Christianity teaches about them. Does not checking a certain set of boxes make you less of a Christian and does that mean you’ll go to Hell?
We then queered the text from 1 Corinthians, one of the texts that is often used against us. It talks about sexual immorality and how our bodies are a temple and should be treated as such. But it’s helpful to understand the history behind this text and how its writer, presumably Paul, might have some personal issues with his own body and with sex. More on that in today’s episode, so stay tuned.
Key takeaways:
- New member area for Sanctuary collective [1:00]
- The foundation of this work: it never ends [4:00]
- There is always new insights and revelations in the Bible [5:50]
- Listener question from Tumblr about the concepts of sin and hell [8:33]
- The concepts are all interconnected AKA all jumbled up [9:47]
- The real point as a follower of Jesus [11:08]
- The bottom line: there are more ways to understand Christianity [14:22]
- Queering the text: 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 [19:04]
- Paul might have some issues with sex and this might be a specific response to specific answers [21:06]
- Finding beauty in this passage [24:23]
- Reading the Bible with rose-colored glasses [25:36]
Mentioned in the episode:
- Tricky Question About Sex Workshop – free workshop on January 17, 2021, 4:00 – 5:00 pm EST (9-10 pm GMT). Click here.
- Faithful Sexuality Course registration is now open until February 5, 2021. Click here to register.
- Learning About God’s Love From Hooking Up
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If you’d like to be featured in future episodes, email your question or Bible passage suggestion to connect@queertheology.com
1 Corinthians 6:12-20
I have the freedom to do anything, but not everything is helpful. I have the freedom to do anything, but I won’t be controlled by anything. Food is for the stomach and the stomach is for food, and yet God will do away with both. The body isn’t for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord is for the body. God has raised the Lord and will raise us through his power. Don’t you know that your bodies are parts of Christ? So then, should I take parts of Christ and make them a part of someone who is sleeping around? No way! Don’t you know that anyone who is joined to someone who is sleeping around is one body with that person? The scripture says, The two will become one flesh. The one who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with him. Avoid sexual immorality! Every sin that a person can do is committed outside the body, except those who engage in sexual immorality commit sin against their own bodies. Or don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you? Don’t you know that you have the Holy Spirit from God, and you don’t belong to yourselves? You have been bought and paid for, so honor God with your body.