Radical Love: An Introduction to Queer Theology

Description

An exploration of the teachings of Jesus in relation to the LGBTQ community that "helps readers welcome a theology that leaves no one behind" (Chris Glaser, author of Coming Out as Sacrament). A common claim, on both on the political right and left, is that Christianity is incompatible with queerness. As this first book on the subject of queer theology insightfully argues, Jesus Christ can be understood by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people as the embodiment of a love so extreme that it dissolves all existing boundaries. In discussing revelation, God, Trinity, creation, atonement, sin, grace, Holy Spirit, church, and sacraments, Patrick Cheng—a theologian, seminary professor, and ordained minister—provides a historical survey of how queer theology has developed from the 1950s to today, and then illuminates its themes using the ecumenical creeds as his guide. He discusses Jesus's communion with all people—holy and profane. He explores Jesus's crossing of all barriers—from Divine to sexual. Above all, he reminds us that those barriers are societal, rather than religious, concepts. "An excellent introduction for beginners and an excellent synthesis for more advanced readers." —Virginia Ramey Mollenkott, author of Sensuous Spirituality