Queer Theology Essay

Queer theology has developed in a period of increased acceptance of diversity in Western culture. While homophobia remains a relevant factor in queer theology, hostility and intolerance is increasingly being pushed to the margins. In this context the development of theologies of liberation has afforded queer approaches a voice. This must be tempered with the reality of inclusiveness, because the greater the recognition, the greater its effect on oppressing those that continue to sit at its margins. This includes for example, people living with HIV/AIDS, and the Transgender community. It is for this reason that relational theology is so important. Notions of what is relevant when considering sexuality and gender is informed, at least in
Does Jesus really challenge status quo, blurring the lines of humanity and divinity by mixing the infinite and the finite? In Jesus, I would suggest life and death is not fixed in traditional ways. If we look at Jesus through queer eyes as the touchstone of God’s love for humanity we are afforded an opportunity to engage and redefine relationship with God. If Augustinian approaches to the doctrine of original sin resulted in the suppression of sexuality through a focus on marriage, fidelity and procreation, how do we look beyond that? Heyward challenges these assumptions and imagines Augustine stuck in a limited dualism in relation to God. In queer theology this tainting of humanity with original sin sits in opposition to theologies which consider sin to be our opposition to authentic relationship. For Heyward any relationship expressed through exertion of power is sin. The theological frame in response is to recapture power in mutuality and for Heyward; this is what Christ models for us. It is our refusal to accept our rightful place within the imago dei and live with authenticity in mutual relation that is sin. Interestingly, the imago dei has been used to categorize the space that exists between the human Jesus and the divine Christ. Queer sexuality introduces fluidity to such compartmentalization and allows us to see beyond the constructs that limit our traditional view of sin. Through queer theology we are challenged to move beyond categories, embrace a radical notion of what constitutes sin, and open a new way of understanding relationship with God. Jesus’ incarnation in a queer theological frame is a new point of contact that has been lost in traditional approaches to this