This is a program by the Queer Theology Academy. We will delve into the connections between faith and gender justice, from queer theology and queer biblical interpretation to queer experiences. We don't rely on dichotomies to understand the world, but are willing to step into the complex, contradictory, profound, and possibility-filled field of faith, seeking new perspectives and new paths.
Each episode will be uploaded simultaneously to YouTube and the official QTA website, updated every two weeks. Stay tuned.
The Truth About Biblical Marriage (Part 1): From Polygyny to Property Contracts, Dismantling the Myth of "Traditional Values"
By Mau Kwok Lam
Whenever society discusses the definition of marriage, "returning to Biblical tradition" is always the loudest slogan of the conservative camp. But have you ever wondered what it would be like if you actually "traveled" back to the Biblical era and attended a wedding? You might be shocked, confused, or even outraged.
In his book God and Sex, Harvard biblical scholar Michael Coogan points out a key fact: the world of marriage in the Bible is practically another planet compared to modern society.
If we were to truly "follow the Bible exactly," marriage would be filled with polygyny, property
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Women in the Bible: Divine Archetypes or Silent Property? A Believer's Struggle and Reflection Today
For many Christians, the Bible is the cornerstone of faith, the revelation of God's word. However, when we, especially women, open this ancient text, we often fall into a deep struggle. We read that God "created humankind in his image, male and female he created them," feeling that original equality and dignity. Yet, we also read that women are commanded to submit to their husbands, are
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Stop Asking What the Bible Says: You Might Be Asking the Wrong Questions About Faith and Sexuality
Introduction: A Stalemated Debate
“In many areas of Christian faith and practice, consensus has collapsed and is fiercely contested. The disagreement over the relevance of the Bible for understanding human sexuality is unprecedentedly vast.”
— Stephen C. Barton
This quote from British theologian Stephen C. Barton accurately depicts the predicament of the contemporary church when
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"Bad Girls" of the Bible: How They Subvert the "Virgin/Whore" Framework
In the previous article, we explored how the Virgin Mary, under the violent, black-and-white framework of the "virgin/whore" dichotomy, was stripped of the complex and authentic desires and agency of her humanity. Her story reveals how this binary opposition limits our imagination of womanhood, the divine, and even ourselves. However, Mary is not the only biblical figure who challenges this framework. In fact, the biblical
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A Queer Gaze on the Virgin Mary: Deconstructing the Violent Framework of the "Virgin/Whore" Binary (Part 1)
This article begins with a disturbing true story.
Theologian Teguh Wijaya Mulya, in his research, recorded the memory of an 18-year-old Indonesian youth named Ayub:
"I was very naughty in the seventh grade. There was a girl in my class who was like... a 'cheap girl'. One day, my male classmates and I played a prank on her. When the teacher wasn't in the classroom, we turned off the
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