Finding LGBTQ+ Identity in the Bible

Reclaiming the Garden

Although our modern understanding of sexuality and gender identity and the terms we use to describe the spectrum of those identities are very different than the understanding and language used during “Bible times” (across several centuries, cultures, and languages), we can still look at certain relationships and characters in the Bible and see how they went outside of the sexual, relational, and/or gender norms of their culture. These are, in a sense, our LGBTQ+ ancestors, and they point to the truth that there has always been a spectrum of difference in human sexuality and gender identity. In this episode, we talk about David and Johnathan (who were probs more than “just buds”), Naomi and Ruth (who Boaz was the sperm donor for), Joseph and his princess dress, the Ethiopian Eunuch (and eunuchs in general as a sexual minority–although the law prohibited them from participating in religious life, a disciple, Philip, baptized him with no questions asked), and Jesus and the Beloved Disciple (and all the other ways Jesus can be interpreted as any of the letters in LGBTQIA+).

Resources:

Transmission Ministry Collective, offers community and resources for trans and gender-expansive people: https://transmissionministry.com/

That Theology Teacher’s videos on queer identity in the Bible: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1o6TG57KFQ0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJHgYz6RYcs

https://qspirit.net/

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Our social media: @reclaimingthegarden on Insta, @RtGardenPodcast on Twitter, and Reclaiming the Garden on Facebook. Our personal accounts: @thatpunchabletheaternerd, @April_TheWriter (April is on Twitter and Insta). Also, our podcast account follows a bunch of awesome folks + podcasts in the exvangelical/deconstruction world and progressive Christian world, so if you’re looking for more resources, that’s a great place to start!