This week we received more of a comment from a Tumblr follower who wanted to say thanks for our article about LGBTQ kids with unaffirming parents. While there was no question asked, we wanted to share more information about the topic and the article. “…Thank you for all your resources because I’m struggling a lot with what being genderfluid means for my relationship with God and the church and my mum keeps outing me and your resources are a reminder it’s ok to be me and still be Christian.”
We also queered the text from Mark that talks about eternal life. In this text, Jesus was asked by a man what he must do to obtain eternal life. Jesus then tells his disciples, “It will be very hard for the wealthy to enter God’s kingdom!” Tune in to hear what Brian and Fr. Shay think about the concept of eternal life and their very different views about it.
Key Takeaways:
- Belated Happy Birthday, Fr. Shay! [0:44]
- More thoughts about age from Brian [3:06]
- We received a thank you message from Tumblr [7:59]
- Why is it hard for people close to queer folks to set boundaries? [9:36]
- Your inherent goodness is not directly related to how your parents or family accept or affirm you [11:27]
- Why setting boundaries is so personal [13:48]
- Queering the text: Mark 10:17-31 [15:34]
- Why is this a complicated text [17:28]
- Eternal life concept is harmful [19:14]
- How “eternal life” resonates with Brian [21:34]
Links mentioned in this episode:
To LGBTQ Kids with Unaffirming Parents: You Deserve Better – read it here
Article for parents with LGBTQ children – click here
If you want to support the Patreon and help keep the podcast up and running, you can learn more and pledge your support at patreon.com/queertheology
If you’d like to be featured in future episodes, email your question or Bible passage suggestion to connect@queertheology.com
Mark 10:17-31
As Jesus continued down the road, a man ran up, knelt before him, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to obtain eternal life?”
Jesus replied, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except the one God. You know the commandments: Don’t commit murder. Don’t commit adultery. Don’t steal. Don’t give false testimony. Don’t cheat. Honor your father and mother.”
“Teacher,” he responded, “I’ve kept all of these things since I was a boy.”
Jesus looked at him carefully and loved him. He said, “You are lacking one thing. Go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor. Then you will have treasure in heaven. And come, follow me.” But the man was dismayed at this statement and went away saddened, because he had many possessions.
Looking around, Jesus said to his disciples, “It will be very hard for the wealthy to enter God’s kingdom!” His words startled the disciples, so Jesus told them again, “Children, it’s difficult to enter God’s kingdom! It’s easier for a camel to squeeze through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter God’s kingdom.”
They were shocked even more and said to each other, “Then who can be saved?”
Jesus looked at them carefully and said, “It’s impossible with human beings, but not with God. All things are possible for God.”
Peter said to him, “Look, we’ve left everything and followed you.”
Jesus said, “I assure you that anyone who has left house, brothers, sisters, mother, father, children, or farms because of me and because of the good news will receive one hundred times as much now in this life—houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and farms (with harassment)—and in the coming age, eternal life. But many who are first will be last. And many who are last will be first.”