Queer theology of sainthood emerges on Episcopal Divinity School blog

My article “A Queer Theology of Sainthood Emerges” is today’s top story at 99 Brattle, the prestigious blog of the Episcopal Divinity School.

The article begins, “A queer theology of sainthood is emerging now as LGBT people seek and find alternative ways to lead loving lives. Saints have been criticized as tools for enforcing conformity, but the desire for LGBT saints is springing up from the grassroots -- and the need is largely being met by individuals, not religious institutions.”

I go on to consider LGBT saints from a viewpoint that is “queer” as defined by theologian Patrick Cheng in his book “Radical Love: An Introduction to Queer Theology.” It can be an umbrella term for marginalized sexualities and gender identities. But Cheng explains that the term also denotes an attitude: “In recent years, the word ‘queer’ has been used by many LGBT people as a positive label that proudly embraces all that is transgressive or opposed to societal norms, particularly with respect to sexuality and gender identity.”

Read the whole article at this link:
http://99brattle.blogspot.com/2011/11/queer-theology-of-sainthood-emerges.html

I’m honored be among the renowned theologians and scholars at the 99 Brattle Blog, including Carter Heyward, Mary Hunt, Chris Glaser, Kwok Pui-lan, Patrick Cheng, Rita Nakashima Brock, and Toby Johnson.

The 99 Brattle Blog bills itself as “progressive theology and critical thinking to transform the world.” May the queer saints be with them!

See gay Jesus art on Episcopal Divinity School blog

Check out my new article on gay Jesus art at 99 Brattle, the blog of the Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

“Gay Jesus art: Liberating visions” begins this way:

Artists have created countless versions of Jesus Christ, each adapted for a particular audience and era. There is black Jesus, Asian Jesus, female “Christa” -- and now gay Jesus to heal the damage done in Christ’s name. Queer Christian images are arising now because the conventional Jesus is no longer adequate. Christ’s story is for everyone, but lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people often feel left out because conservatives use Christian rhetoric to justify hate and discrimination.


The artists who dare to show Christ as gay have had their work destroyed -- if they can find a way to show it at all. They have faced censorship, controversy, hate mail, violence, death threats, and/or vandalism that destroyed their work....

Click here to read the whole article at 99 Brattle. You’ll also see LGBT Christian art by Becki Jayne Harrelson, Douglas Blanchard and Elisabeth Ohlson Wallin.

These artists are included in my book “Art That Dares: Gay Jesus, Woman Christ, and More.” It is filled with color images by 11 contemporary artists from the U.S. and Europe. The artists tell the stories behind the images, and my introduction puts them into theological and historical context, exploring issues of blasphemy and artistic freedom.

I’m honored be among the renowned theologians and scholars at the 99 Brattle Blog, including Carter Heyward, Mary Hunt, Chris Glaser, Kwok Pui-lan, Patrick Cheng, Rita Nakashima Brock, and Toby Johnson.

The prestigious 99 Brattle Blog bills itself as “progressive theology and critical thinking to transform the world.” May our words help with the transformation!