Queering Christianity: Finding a Place at the Table for LGBTQI Christians
424
Queering Christianity: Finding a Place at the Table for LGBTQI Christians
424Hardcover
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Overview
Through essays by noted lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, and intersex (LGBTQI) religion scholars, this important compilation summarizes the history and current status of LGBTQI theology, exploring its relationship to the policies, practices, and theology of traditional Christianity. Contributors contrast the "radically inclusive" thinking of LGBTQI theology with the "exclusivity" practiced by many Christian churches, explaining the reasoning of each and clarifying contentious issues. At the same time, the book highlights ways in which "queer" theology and practice benefit Christian congregations.
Writing from the perspective of grassroots Christian LGBTQI movements, many of the contributors draw upon their own experiences. They provide graphic examples of the effects exclusion has on individuals, congregations, and denominations, and also share examples of inclusion and its effects. Equally important, the work creates the basis for dialogue between traditional churches and followers of LGBTQI theology, offering practical suggestions for Christian congregations that wish to put aside exclusionary policies and practices.
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781440829659 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Bloomsbury Academic |
| Publication date: | 06/25/2013 |
| Pages: | 424 |
| Product dimensions: | 6.50(w) x 9.30(h) x 1.30(d) |
About the Author
Reverend Thomas Bohache, DMin, has been a pastor in the Metropolitan Community Churches for 25 years. He holds a doctorate in feminist liberation theologies from the Episcopal Divinity School.
Patrick S. Cheng, PhD, JD, is associate professor of historical and systematic theology at the Episcopal Divinity School, Cambridge, MA. Cheng holds a doctorate in systematic theology from Union Theological Seminary and a juris doctor from Harvard Law School.
Reverend Mona West, PhD, is director of formation and leadership development for Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC) and was affirmed as an Elder in MCC in 2012. She earned a doctorate in Hebrew Bible/Old Testament from Southern Seminary and also holds a certificate in spiritual formation from Columbia Seminary.
Table of Contents
Introduction: Queering the Table Robert E. Shore-Goss 1
At the Open Table Café Douglas Smith 25
Part I Radically Inclusive Models of God Patrick S. Cheng 29
1 Faithful to a Very Queer-Acting God, Who Is Always Up to Something New Robin H. Gorsline 33
2 Cur Deus Homo[sexual]: The Queer Incarnation Patrick S. Cheng 51
3 Grace Is Green: Green Incarnational Inclusivities Robert E. Shore-Goss 65
4 The Transgendered Christ Megan More 83
5 The Holy Spirit as Mischief-Maker Robert E. Shore-Goss 97
Part II Opening the Body of Christ Thomas Bohache 121
6 Can We Sex This? Eroticizing Divinity and Humanity Thomas Bohache 127
7 Reinterpreting Baptism: An Ongoing Dialogue Bryce E. Rich 145
8 Toward a Church of Radical Christmas: The Open Communion in MCC and Its Ecclesiological Consequences Axel Schwaigert 179
9 Beyond the Open Table: Queering Holy Communion Rachelle Brown 191
10 Innovations in Queer Theology: Embodying MCC's Open Communion through Theatre of the Oppressed Kerri Mesner 205
11 Communion: Playing with Redemption NicArnzen with the Cast and Friends of Corpus Christi 229
12 Bodhisattva Christianity: A Case of Multiple Religious Belonging Robert E. Shore-Goss 251
13 Unzipping Church: Is There Room for Everyone? Thomas Bohache 271
Part III Opening the Table Pastorally Mona West 293
14 Pastoral Care of Transgendered Youth Joseph Shore-Goss 297
15 Putting on Wedding Drag: Pastoral Care for Healing and Wholeness in the Queer Congregation Joan M. Saniuk 323
16 An Inclusive Table: Same-Sex Marriage Neil Thomas 339
17 Coming to the Table in Leather Lea Brown 355
18 Queer Lectio Divina Mona West 371
19 Spiritual Companioning: The Art of Being Present to the Spiritual Traveler and Lighting the Path Joseph Shore-Goss 381
20 Queer Hymnody: Celebrating Lesbian and Gay Poets and Composers Jim Mitulski Donna Hamilton Nancy Hall 397
About the Editors and Contributors 413
Index 419
What People are Saying About This
"A splendid and courageous volume, offering both astute theological insights and practical pastoral advice. Not just for queers, but also for affirming congregations and straight Christians, who want to taste the promise of the open and inclusive table."
"Welcome to a feast with open doors, to the extravagant potluck of queer theology no longer barred from the table! Here is theology boldly, jubilantly in progress—making new words to decribe, to celebrate, and to carry on what God has been doing where God wasn't even supposed to be."
"This vibrant, playful, inquisitive collection makes clear that queer Christian theologies concern not just sexuality and gender but also liturgy, pastoral care, ecology, and other aspects of Christian life. The contributors' passionate belief in practicing faith in community means that they speak with a range of distinct voices, united by a characteristically MCC-flavoured commitment to truth-telling, openness, justice and love. The volume will stimulate conversations among Christians and other people of faith about how best to live queerly faithful (and faithfully queer) lives for years to come. "