Jesus & the Male Gaze Matthew 5:21-37

Published: Feb. 16, 2020, 11:55 a.m.

b'In this episode of the podcast, we respond to a listener question from Fee in Berlin who asked how LGBTQ Christians who have come to the faith later in life can be sensitive to the trauma that LGBTQ folks who grew up within Christianity carry.\\xa0\\nWe also take a look at Matthew 5:21-37 \\u2014 a passage about murder, adultery, what happens in our heart, who is responsible, and how to respond. It might be 2,000 years old but it is particularly relevant to our present time and place. Here\\u2019s how\\u2026\\nIn this episode we cover:\\n\\nupdates on the Faithful Sexuality course, our new website, and Shay\\u2019s recent Rob Bell workshop [00:50]\\nlistener question from Fee on LGBTQ Christian trauma [05:15]\\xa0\\xa0\\nour queer take on Matthew 5:21-37 [11:52]\\n\\u201cThere is so much in here it could be at least 3 podcast episodes \\u2026 and a doctoral dissertation\\u201d [13:55]\\nways this passage is often misunderstood [15:14]\\nhow Jesus turns the table on the dominant patriarchy of the day [16:29]\\nwhat this passage has to say about modern purity culture, rape culture, and the male gaze [16:55]\\nhow this passage was used against LGBTQ people [17:50]\\nwhat \\u201chell\\u201d means in this context [18:20]\\ndefining lust: what it is and what it isn\\u2019t\\xa0 [19:00]\\na reminder that it\\u2019s ok to be attracted to someone, to have sexual desires, and to have a fantasy life (and one important thing to remember there) [20:00]\\n\\nIf you want to support the Patreon and help keep the podcast up and running, you can learn more and pledge your support at patreon.com/queertheology\\nIf you’d like to be featured in future episodes, email your question or Bible passage suggestion to connect@queertheology.com\\xa0\\nMatthew 5:21-37\\n\\u201cYou have heard that it was said to those who lived long ago, Don\\u2019t commit murder, and all who commit murder will be in danger of judgment. But I say to you that everyone who is angry with their brother or sister will be in danger of judgment. If they say to their brother or sister, \\u2018You idiot,\\u2019 they will be in danger of being condemned by the governing council. And if they say, \\u2018You fool,\\u2019 they will be in danger of fiery hell. Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift at the altar and go. First make things right with your brother or sister and then come back and offer your gift. Be sure to make friends quickly with your opponents while you are with them on the way to court. Otherwise, they will haul you before the judge, the judge will turn you over to the officer of the court, and you will be thrown into prison. I say to you in all seriousness that you won\\u2019t get out of there until you\\u2019ve paid the very last penny.\\n\\u201cYou have heard that it was said, Don\\u2019t commit adultery. But I say to you that every man who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery in his heart. And if your right eye causes you to fall into sin, tear it out and throw it away. It\\u2019s better that you lose a part of your body than that your whole body be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to fall into sin, chop it off and throw it away. It\\u2019s better that you lose a part of your body than that your whole body go into hell.\\n\\u201cIt was said, \\u2018Whoever divorces his wife must give her a divorce certificate.\\u2019 But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife except for sexual unfaithfulness forces her to commit adultery. And whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.\\n\\u201cAgain you have heard that it was said to those who lived long ago: Don\\u2019t make a false solemn pledge, but you should follow through on what you have pledged to the Lord. But I say to you that you must not pledge at all. You must not pledge by heaven, because it\\u2019s God\\u2019s throne. You must not pledge by the earth, because it\\u2019s God\\u2019s footstool. You must not pledge by Jerusalem, because it\\u2019s the city of the great king. And you must not pledge by your head, because you can\\u2019t turn one hair white or black. Let your yes mean yes, and your no mean no. Anything more than t'