In this episode, we answer a question from a listener: Emma asks about the kingdom of God or heaven. It’s a question that we’re certain a lot of you are asking in your head right now. Stay tuned to find out what we think about the where’s and when’s of the Kingdom of God.
We also queered the text from Isaiah which we are super happy to be able to talk about today. It also ties neatly into this week’s listener question. This text is a great reminder that God is indeed everywhere, one with us.
Key takeaways:
- Fr. Shay is getting married! [1:43]
- Brian and The Good Place — don’t worry, no spoilers! [2:37]
- Listener question about the Kingdom of God [4:40]
- A frank, but not helpful answer [5:24]
- When you get to heaven vs. when all is made right [6:32]
- Accepting that we don’t have to agree with what the kingdom of means [7:55]
- The problem with having a “supernatural” belief [8:46]
- Queering the text: Isaiah 40:21-31 [13:20]
- The importance of knowing the context of every scripture [16:13]
- God is part of us [18:25]
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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
Isaiah 40:21-31
Don’t you know? Haven’t you heard?
Wasn’t it announced to you from the beginning?
Haven’t you understood since the earth was founded?
God inhabits the earth’s horizon—
its inhabitants are like locusts—
stretches out the skies like a curtain
and spreads it out like a tent for dwelling.
God makes dignitaries useless
and the earth’s judges into nothing.
Scarcely are they planted, scarcely sown,
scarcely is their shoot rooted in the earth
when God breathes on them, and they dry up;
the windstorm carries them off like straw.
So to whom will you compare me,
and who is my equal? says the holy one.
Look up at the sky and consider:
Who created these?
The one who brings out their attendants one by one,
summoning each of them by name.
Because of God’s great strength
and mighty power, not one is missing.
Why do you say, Jacob,
and declare, Israel,
“My way is hidden from the Lord,
my God ignores my predicament”?
Don’t you know? Haven’t you heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the creator of the ends of the earth.
He doesn’t grow tired or weary.
His understanding is beyond human reach,
giving power to the tired
and reviving the exhausted.
Youths will become tired and weary,
young men will certainly stumble;
but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength;
they will fly up on wings like eagles;
they will run and not be tired;
they will walk and not be weary.