Two queer Christian women exploring the space between belief and doubt, deconstruction and reconstruction, and the mysteries of faith that are ours just as much...
In this episode, we get down and dirty and nerdy with the Hebrew Bible text known as Ruth. What seems like a heterosexual love story to evangelicals (between Ruth and Boaz) actually has a lot of queerness in it–two women, Ruth and Naomi, who profess their commitment to one another, and Boaz, who never expresses desire for Ruth or any other woman, only a duty to his family line. We explore the ways in which this narrative embraces non-normative family structures and the complicated aspects of Ruth and Naomi’s relationship as well (was there possible exploitation of Ruth for Naomi’s financial gain?). We also talk about the story’s message of welcoming the foreigner and how Ruth directly contrasts with other biblical texts that prohibit the marriage of foreign women with Israelites. Oh, and of course, April brings up the stupid Panera sermon metaphor. There were no asiago bagels on the threshing floor, young adults pastor!Bibliography: “Un-Straightening Boaz in Ruth Scholarship” by Brett Krutzsch“Even unto this Bitter Loving”: Unhappiness and Backward Feelings in Ruth, by Rhiannon Graybillhttps://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/ordinary-31-2/commentary-on-ruth-11-18-3 https://www.wilgafney.com/2024/07/21/how-long-o-lord-is-a-womanish-question/ “Traffic Violations” by Fulata Lusigu MoyoWe have merch! Get your Bible Dyke Energy Tee and more here: https://www.redbubble.com/people/rtgardenpodcast/shop Our social media: @reclaimingthegarden on Insta, and Reclaiming the Garden on Facebook. Our personal accounts: @thatpunchabletheaternerd and @April_TheWriter. Also, our podcast account follows a bunch of awesome folks + podcasts in the exvangelical/deconstruction world and progressive Christian world, so if you’re looking for more resources, that’s a great place to start!
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46:38
Good Contamination with Billie Hoard
In this episode, we have a conversation with writer and Anabaptist radical Billie Hoard! Billie talks about her faith journey growing up evangelical in the 80s, how she learned to ask questions without needing to reach a certain conclusion, and how she realized she was a trans woman. Billie also discusses her experience in the Vineyard Church movement and how the church where “everyone gets to play” kicked her out of leadership due to her stance of affirming LGBTQ+ people (boo!!!).
You can find Billie on Instagram and Bluesky @billieiswriting and on her Substack.
Want to join us at QCF in Atlanta next week? Use the code BIBLE DYKES to receive 10% off in-person registration: https://www.qcfconf.org/
Registration link for Eucontamination Dinner on Wednesday Jan. 22nd: https://www.qcfconf.org/liturgy-of-eucontamination
We have merch! Get your Bible Dyke Energy Tee and more here: https://www.redbubble.com/people/rtgardenpodcast/shop
Our social media: @reclaimingthegarden on Insta, and Reclaiming the Garden on Facebook. Our personal accounts: @thatpunchabletheaternerd and @April_TheWriter. Also, our podcast account follows a bunch of awesome folks + podcasts in the exvangelical/deconstruction world and progressive Christian world, so if you’re looking for more resources, that’s a great place to start!
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1:00:27
2024 Year-in-Review with QCF Squad
In this episode, we have a chat with our friends Andy and Briana about what happened this year in the worlds of religion, faith, and politics . In the midst of the daunting rise of christofascism and other forms of oppression, we find strength in how our communities are stepping up to care for one another. We also share personal important moments that happened in each of our lives this year.
Want to join us at QCF Conf from Jan. 23-26th? Use the code BIBLE DYKES to receive 10% off in-person registration: https://www.qcfconf.org/
RNS article: https://religionnews.com/2024/12/27/the-top-10-religion-stories-of-2024-whats-old-is-news-again/
Briana’s published short story: https://www.hauntedwordspress.com/issues
We have merch! Get your Bible Dyke Energy Tee and more here: https://www.redbubble.com/people/rtgardenpodcast/shop
Our social media: @reclaimingthegarden on Insta, and Reclaiming the Garden on Facebook. Our personal accounts: @thatpunchabletheaternerd and @April_TheWriter. Also, our podcast account follows a bunch of awesome folks + podcasts in the exvangelical/deconstruction world and progressive Christian world, so if you’re looking for more resources, that’s a great place to start!
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1:35:02
Let's Talk About the Trinity
In this episode, we discuss the theological concept of the Trinity–God as Creator of the universe, Jesus of Nazareth, and the Holy Spirit. April gives the historical context for how the early church wrestled to explain their experiences with God within their own cultural context, and how folks argued over words in the creeds–some of it was about conviction, but it was also a power struggle. Ultimately, the early church and all Christians since have been grasping at language to a Mystery that cannot be defined. April and Anna find resonance in the idea that God is love, so of course God would be a community of self-giving and receiving love with Themself–and God invites us to join in that ecstatic dance of Love.
We have merch! Get your Bible Dyke Energy Tee and more here: https://www.redbubble.com/people/rtgardenpodcast/shop
Our social media: @reclaimingthegarden on Insta, and Reclaiming the Garden on Facebook. Our personal accounts: @thatpunchabletheaternerd and @April_TheWriter. Also, our podcast account follows a bunch of awesome folks + podcasts in the exvangelical/deconstruction world and progressive Christian world, so if you’re looking for more resources, that’s a great place to start!
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52:16
How the Fuck Did We Get Here Again?
In this episode, April and Anna pour out our anger and grief over the 2024 election in which the majority of voters chose a fascist rapist to lead the country. We talk about how we’ve been checking in with our queer kin and other loved ones this past week, and how we are balancing our well-founded fears about the future with our hopes that our communities will fight for each other’s safety and well-being. While being realistic about the hard work that lies ahead of us (white people, step up and leverage your privilege!), we also cannot give in to doomerism because it’s like rapture theology that leads people to feel helpless.We are not going to be silent, we’re here and we’re queer and we will not let Christian Nationalists take away our joy and resilience.
If you are craving community, consider going to the Q Christian Fellowship Conference in January (not sponsored): https://www.qcfconf.org/
We have merch! Get your Bible Dyke Energy Tee and more here: https://www.redbubble.com/people/rtgardenpodcast/shop
Our social media: @reclaimingthegarden on Insta, and Reclaiming the Garden on Facebook. Our personal accounts: @thatpunchabletheaternerd and @April_TheWriter. Also, our podcast account follows a bunch of awesome folks + podcasts in the exvangelical/deconstruction world and progressive Christian world, so if you’re looking for more resources, that’s a great place to start!
Two queer Christian women exploring the space between belief and doubt, deconstruction and reconstruction, and the mysteries of faith that are ours just as much as the Christians who have gone before us—even the ones who say that our queerness is incompatible with Christianity. Regardless of your beliefs (or lack thereof), you’re welcome in this conversation about the religious backgrounds people came from, and how those experiences (and changes in belief) impact the life they live now.
Sverige