Queering Christianity: Finding a Place at the Table for LGBTQI Christians: Finding a Place at the Table for LGBTQI Christians

by Robert E. Shore-Goss (Editor), Thomas Bohache (Editor), Patrick S. Cheng (Editor), Mona West (Editor)

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:	9781440829666
Publisher:	ABC-CLIO, Incorporated
Publication date:	06/25/2013
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	424
File size:	949 KB

About the Author

Robert E. Shore-Goss, ThD, is pastor of Metropolitan Community Church in the Valley, North Hollywood, CA. He received his doctorate from Harvard University in theology and comparative religions with a specialization in Indo-Tibetan Buddhism and Christianity.

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.

What People are Saying About This

Kwok Pui-lan

"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."

Mark D. Jordan

"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."

Susannah Cornwall

"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. "