Thread by @jaymereaves

Thread.

I'm still reflecting on a day I spent this weekend teaching on #ReadingtheBible with integrity to the text AND to the lives & experiences of #LGBTQIA+ folks. I have a few thoughts that I'd like to share for whatever they're worth. /1

I was anxious about the day. I always am. I never know who's going to be there and how safe I can ensure the day will be for those attending. It didn't help that the BBC Radio Bristol interviewer I spoke to a couple weeks ago asked if I'd have people picketing outside. 😣 /2

There were about 50 people there, signed up for an entire day (9am-4pm) of studying the Bible and the passages that are often referred to as the "clobber" texts (texts used to beat up and abuse LGBTQIA+ people). It's not something people would usually sign up to for fun. /3

It was a mixed crowd in age, gender, orientation, and ethnicity which felt really good. It indicated that there'd be a variety of perspectives. It was also being hosted by a Catholic church that holds a monthly LGBTQ+ inclusive mass, so I knew there'd be friendly folk present. /4

It felt imperative that I set some pretty strong ground rules from the start, starting with prayer & time for people to look around the room at each other to see who's there. Ground rules were: 1) you speak for yourself - there's no need to defend any community or tradition. /5

2) Be reasoned & moderated in your speech because you could be speaking about the person in front of you, behind you, or beside you. 3) Remember that these texts are used abusively, and that they carry real life consequences. /6

4) we would use the 'what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas' rule (or Chatham House; no quotes attributed to participants) & lastly, 5) ask whatever questions you need to as we go - we're learning together & it's important everyone feels heard & that their questions are valid. /7

This last point is important for me pedagogically. This topic is scary & people often feel embarrassed, so I need to model clarity in terms/language & lack of shame about body, etc. Plus, there's liberation in saying words like "masturbation", "vagina", or even "sex" in church /8

I started with an "Intro to Reading the Bible" session, which some people thought might be a waste of time, but afterward expressed how helpful it was. Detailing the problems/issues with context, language, canon, & authority are so important for finding contemporary relevance. /9

Then we went through the "clobber" texts one by one (Gen 1-2; Gen 19; Lev 18:22 & 20:13; I Cor 6:9; I Tim 1:9-10; Rom 1), looking at context, language, translation issues, purpose of the text, etc. over the course of the day. /10

BTW, I'd just like to make public my complaint for the NRSV using the English term "sodomite" for the Greek word "arsenkoitais". IMHO, it's really bad translation and malpractice. I love the NRSV most other times, but damn...they really screwed up there. Anyway.... /11

These were good, educated people in a progressive congregation - and I continue to be struck at how liberating it is for people to be given permission to ask questions of the text. Modern fundamentalist approaches have so poisoned people's Bible reading & interpretation. 😤🤯 /12

I discussed w a clergyperson later re: the accepted length of sermons (7 mins max!) & how little Bible people know as a result. Of course long sermons ≠ biblical literacy, but how much can you expect people to know if you don't spend time teaching them or talking about it? /13

The day was rich in conversation & feedback. But there are two take-away moments for me that I will think about for a long time to come. 1st: I introduced the idea of a 'hermeneutic of suspicion', and when we got to Leviticus, I talked about it being a text focussed on the... /14

..health & wellbeing of the community as well as external/internal markers for being people of God. A participant suggested we read the Bible w a 'hermeneutic of flourishing' too: what gives & supports life, wellbeing, & health for all. BRILLIANT!! (she should write a paper) /15

The 2nd take-away for me was bigger: A male-identifying participant (one of the 1st to arrive) spoke up mid-way through passionately asking, "I've been to every church & what I need to know is this: When I stand before Jesus on judgement day, what is going to happen?... /16

"...Am I going to go to hell if I fall in love with the man of my dreams?"

I just started crying. I couldn't help it. I still cry just thinking about it.

Fuck.

Through tears, I said "No, I don't think so. I really hope not." /17

I can't be definitive on any question like that b/c who can be certain about anything related to heaven? We simply just don't know anything -but we have hope, instead. Yet, I & other participants said w certainty that we didn't want to be part of a faith that condemned him. /18

It broke my heart. 💔💔 And it illustrated the point I made earlier: these texts have people's lives at stake. Our theology - what we say about God and what the Bible says - has consequences.

But with his question, the Spirit made itself evident amongst us. /19

I can't find another way to describe it. Things were good before, but his question & people's impassioned, compassionate responses gave us purpose. We were united. Hearts and minds were opened and the Spirit moved amongst us and in us. God is love - and love expressed is God. /20

My faith has changed a lot over the last 20 years, but this weekend reminded me of the power of prayer as centring attentively on the work of God, and to being open to submitting to however the Spirit needs to work in a time & place. /21

A discipline I try to cultivate in my teaching/speaking is to constantly remind myself that these are opportunities for me to learn as much as the participants. They have so much to teach me too, or so much to remind me if I've forgotten or lost sight of it. /22

The day ended w celebrating mass together, w Rublev's Trinity icon @ the altar. Hospitality & welcome. An open table Eucharist. Loud singing in celebration. Genuine passing of peace. A balm to my soul & reminder of God's Spirit still breathing, speaking, & moving amongst us. /end