Does the Bible actually condemn all homosexuality?
The case against homosexuality and sexual minorities is much less clear cut than most conservatives believe. Pastor Lambert reviews the 6 clobber versus most frequently used to condemn same sex relations.
Pastor Zach W. Lambert speaking at Restore Austin. www.restoreaustin.org
This is part 4 of 4 from a sermon called: All-Inclusive - Homophobia and Transphobia
Book List:
Affirming Scriptures from Matthew, Isaiah and Luke.
Pastor Zach W. Lambert speaking at Restore Austin. www.restoreaustin.org
LGBTQ+ people are fully loved exactly as they are and fully included in every part of our church family.
This is part 3 of 4 from a sermon called: All-Inclusive - Homophobia and Transphobia
Book List:
Last week’s murder of Charlie Kirk has been challenging for many Christians.
How should we Christians think about the assassination of Charlie Kirk?
I found this sermon by Pastor Dave Peterson helpful. Delivered on September 14 as, Spiritually Formed: By Mercy, I hope you find comfort and insight in it as well.
Elton
Pastor Zach W. Lambert speaking at Restore Austin.
LGBTQ+ people are fully loved exactly as they are and fully included in every part of our church family.
This is part 2 of 4 from a sermon called: All-Inclusive - Homophobia and Transphobia
Book List:
God and the Gay Christian by Matthew Vines
Sex Difference in Christian Theology by Megan DeFranza
Changing Our Mind by David Gushee
Scripture, Ethics, and the Possibility of Same-Sex Relationships by Karen Keen
Bible, Gender, and Sexuality by James Brownson
Walking the Bridgeless Canyon by Kathy Baldock
Pastor Zach W. Lambert speaking at Restore Austin.
LGBTQ+ people are fully loved exactly as they are and fully included in every part of our church family.
This is part 1 of 4 from a sermon called: All-Inclusive - Homophobia and Transphobia
Book List:
God and the Gay Christian by Matthew Vines
Sex Difference in Christian Theology by Megan DeFranza
Changing Our Mind by David Gushee
Scripture, Ethics, and the Possibility of Same-Sex Relationships by Karen Keen
Bible, Gender, and Sexuality by James Brownson
Walking the Bridgeless Canyon by Kathy Baldock
What Should Pope Leo Do Next?
A controversial game plan that will please almost no one.
Referenced in this Podcast:
Scott Austin Key and
Every Shelter, an organization which empowers refugees to build shelters: We Design Shelter Solutions for Refugees - Every Shelter
"All-Inclusive - Homophobia and Transphobia," Sermon by Pastor Zach Lambert: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3d_mhbTwL4
or on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/69RLRBxTUJJz4zXrq6nKiJ
The fascinating history and back story of Pope Paul VI's ban of birth control in Humanae Vitae: https://www.ncronline.org/news/vatican/new-birth-control-commission-papers-reveal-vaticans-hand
#Bible
#Christian
#Affirming
Grandpa Scott and Grandpa Bobby
Two Gay Grandpas Travel YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@twogaygrandpastravel
Their Podcast: Travel Your Heart: https://open.spotify.com/show/29TnR3cpXCGRlif38XYy6P
Original Rotary interview: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4WSHhnO0xEp63ZKSnPQKlH
PFLAG (Parents, Friends and Allies of LGBTQIA+ individuals): https://pflag.org/
The Boulder County (HIV) AIDS project: https://www.bcap.org/
The Trevor Project (for Queer/LGBTQ+ Youth): https://www.thetrevorproject.org/
Netflix documentary, Join or Die: https://www.netflix.com/title/81746809
Grandpa Scott and Grandpa Bobby:
Two Gay Grandpas Travel YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@twogaygrandpastravel
Their Podcast: Travel Your Heart: https://open.spotify.com/show/29TnR3cpXCGRlif38XYy6P
Original Rotary interview: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4WSHhnO0xEp63ZKSnPQKlH
PFLAG (Parents, Friends and Allies of LGBTQIA+ individuals): https://pflag.org/
The Boulder County (HIV) AIDS project https://www.bcap.org/
For LGBTQ youth, The Trevor Project:
https://www.thetrevorproject.org/
Reference to “Mrs. Cleaver” from the TV sitcom Leave It to Beaver: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/June_Cleaver
Reference to the LDS Church: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Church_of_Jesus_Christ_of_Latter-day_Saints
Reference to AIDS: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HIV/AIDS
“ I could literally talk your ear off for hours about all the good fruit I experience on a daily basis in the lives of my queer friends. It's just endless.
“On the other side, the fruit of the anti-LGBTQ theology has been literally devastating.” Linda Robertson
More of Linda’s Story can be heard on two previous episodes of this podcast:
“A Mother’s Regrets” (15 min.) and
“I Believe You – I Have Your Back” (11 min.)
This podcast is extracted from an interview with Becky Aste (a Trauma-Informed Marriage Coach) on her podcast, "Your Breakthrough Blueprint," from an emotional episode called, "Can I love God and my gay son too?" The complete interview (1 hr.) is available on:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0O222LNg1w96K5VjlTOIkK?si=JZW0jHFnTvOhUDb3td-FLA
And Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-breakthrough-blueprint-with-becky-aste-for-the/id1676348200?i=1000664115395
The American church is facing an unprecedented shift, with younger generations rapidly dechurching and stepping away from organized religion.
In this episode, we dive into the reasons behind this trend with my daughter, a Stanford epidemiologist and biostatistician. Raised in an evangelical megachurch, deeply involved in campus ministry, and now attending an LGBTQ-affirming Presbyterian church, Elizabeth shares some of her experiences and observations.
We discuss the key factors driving millennials and Gen Z away from traditional churches, including the treatment of women, queer individuals, and other marginalized groups.
Elizabeth shares insights on how church teachings on sexuality, authority, and social justice have influenced her peers' decisions to leave—or stay—in religious communities. From purity culture to the political entanglements of modern Christianity, we explore why so many young people feel disillusioned with faith institutions and what it would take for churches to truly be places of belonging.
If you're curious about the intersection of faith, justice, and identity—or wondering what an inclusive church looks like—this is a conversation you won’t want to miss. We cover everything from affirming theology to the broader cultural shifts shaping young people's spiritual lives. Tune in as we unpack what it means to question, evolve, and reclaim faith in a changing world.
Romans 12 and Google AI on dealing with difficult relatives.
This sermon was delivered the Sunday after the 2024 Presidential election.
An election that has left many fearful.
Today we sit in our grief, tomorrow we sit in our anger, and then after that we accept that empire will never save us and we mobilize to create more just and safer communities and political systems
Struggling to decide on an abortion?
Bad news from an amnio or genetic screening?
Still feeling guilt from a previous abortion?
Reluctant to vote for a pro-choice candidate?
This short podcast could change your life.
This podcast was created using these AI tools: NotebookLM, Copilot, Descript and ChatGPT.
“I’m afraid I’m going to hell because I’m not attracted to men. Please give me an unbiased interpretation of Romans 1.”
We received this question from a young woman, M.V.
This podcast was created by one of Google’s newest AI engines, NotebookLM. (https://notebookLM.google.com)
We gave NotebookLM M.V.’s question and these six quotes:
1. Justin Lee, from the book: “Torn: Rescuing the Gospel from the Gays-vs.-Christians Debate”:
“Paul’s writings in Romans 1 are about people who turned away from God and engaged in lustful, excessive behaviors. This is different from a loving, committed same-sex relationship.”
2. Janet Edmonds who I have quoted frequently in this series, says in part: “The behavior Paul (…author of the book of Romans…) was addressing here is explicitly associated with idol worship (probably temple prostitution…’
“In the surrounding culture it was common for men of a higher status to take sexual advantage of male slaves or male prostitutes…”
“The laws at the time in Rome allowed a master to demand sexual services from any slave, male or female”
“Paul was not talking about homosexuality and didn’t have in mind specifically prohibiting consensual same-sex relationships.”
3. Matthew Vines, in his book “God and the Gay Christian”: says
“Paul’s references to ‘unnatural’ relations in Romans 1:26-27 are often misunderstood. He was addressing specific cultural practices of his time, not committed, loving same-sex relationships as we understand them today.”
4. Rev. Dr. Mel White, Book: “What the Bible Says—and Doesn’t Say—about Homosexuality”:
“Romans 1:26-27 must be read in the context of the entire chapter, which condemns idolatry and excessive lust, not loving same-sex relationships.”
5. Kathy Baldock, in her book “Walking the Bridgeless Canyon”:
“Paul’s use of ‘natural’ and ‘unnatural’ in Romans 1 reflects the cultural norms of his time, not a universal condemnation of same-sex relationships.”
6. James Brownson, “Bible, Gender, Sexuality: Reframing the Church’s Debate on Same-Sex Relationships”:
“Romans 1, 26 and 27 addresses behaviors that were seen as dishonorable and excessive, not the loving, committed relationships we see today.”
For more information about NotebookLM:
What do you say to a gay son or daughter when they come out?
With the benefit of hindsight Linda Robertson shares her thoughts on what she wishes she had said to her 12-year-old son Ryan when he came out.
This podcast is extracted from an interview with Becky Aste (a Trauma-Informed Marriage Coach) on her podcast, Your Breakthrough Blueprint, from an emotional episode called, Can I love God and my gay son too?
The complete interview is available on:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0O222LNg1w96K5VjlTOIkK?si=JZW0jHFnTvOhUDb3td-FLA
And Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-breakthrough-blueprint-with-becky-aste-for-the/id1676348200?i=1000664115395
Additional resources:
Linda’s website and original post: https://justbecausehebreathes.com/
Helpful resources recommended by Linda: https://justbecausehebreathes.com/resources/
https://reformationproject.org/resources/
https://www.qchristian.org/
Linda and Ryan’s Story:
Linda’s blog: https://justbecausehebreathes.com/blog-posts/
Long version filmed at Towne View Baptist Church in Kennesaw, GA in May 2022: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3xiDek0aXg
Shorter version at NorthPoint Church in Atlanta from May 2021, which includes a question-and-answer session (helpful for parents):
https://youtu.be/wNS77sfT2zY?si=gzqrA6Yn1dzoRTYa
You can also view their story as part of the movie: For They Know Not What They Do, available on:
Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/They-Know-Not-What-Do/dp/B08HQYQJLC/
and iTunes: https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/for-they-know-not-what-they-do/umc.cmc.2fm6il6v1aw47v5nvdv16w1nc
Linda’s Parent Support Group that meets every Wednesday: https://fs9.formsite.com/4BUph1/amlfznmjbc/index.html
The QChristian Fellowship: https://www.qchristian.org/
The QChristian Fellowship Parent team: https://www.qchristian.org/parents
Podcast produced by: Elton Sherwin
Audio edited and enhanced with: Descript Studio Sound
#Bible
#Christian
#Affirming
I am 12-years old and gay.
In 2001, Ryan Robertson, 12-years old, reached out to his mother on Instant Messenger. Their lives forever changed.
Then, 11 years later, Linda Robertson told their story publicly on Facebook, hoping that it would help other families avoid the missteps and pain they experienced.
Here is the original Facebook post, read and dramatized by AI generated voices. I have changed only a few words for clarity.
Linda’s website and original FB post: https://justbecausehebreathes.com/
Helpful resources recommended by Linda: https://justbecausehebreathes.com/resources/
https://reformationproject.org/resources/
https://www.qchristian.org/
Linda and Ryan’s Story:
Linda’s blog: https://justbecausehebreathes.com/blog-posts/
Long version filmed at Towne View Baptist Church in Kennesaw, GA in May 2022: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3xiDek0aXg
Shorter version at NorthPoint Church in Atlanta from May 2021, which includes a question-and-answer session (helpful for parents):
https://youtu.be/wNS77sfT2zY?si=gzqrA6Yn1dzoRTYa
You can also view their story as part of the movie: For They Know Not What They Do, available on:
Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/They-Know-Not-What-Do/dp/B08HQYQJLC/
and iTunes: https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/for-they-know-not-what-they-do/umc.cmc.2fm6il6v1aw47v5nvdv16w1nc
Linda’s Parent Support Group that meets every Wednesday: https://fs9.formsite.com/4BUph1/amlfznmjbc/index.html
The QChristian Fellowship: https://www.qchristian.org/
The QChristian Fellowship Parent team: https://www.qchristian.org/parents
Podcast produced by: Elton Sherwin
Audio edited and enhanced with: Descript Studio Sound
AI synthesized speech: Speechelo and Descrpt
#Bible
#Christian
#Affirming
Almost half its users are Queer: Dateability is a dating app designed for the disabled and chronically ill communities.
Individuals with disabilities or chronic illness often encounter problems on dating apps. Alexa and Jacqueline Child have created Dateability, a safe and accepting space to find meaningful connections for people with physical, intellectual, and psychiatric disabilities.
To learn more about Dateability:
https://info.dateabilityapp.com/
Quote from Autism Research Center: https://autism.org/lgbtq-and-autism/
Elton’s Three Affirming Podcasts:
Bible and Homosexuality: An LGBTQ Positive View
https://open.spotify.com/show/4hXGABXM2JxyBJNAtqwc0m
The Queer Christian: Navigating Faith, Church and the Bible:
https://open.spotify.com/show/2iDmc5boju3rZyAYqiLOUA
La Biblia y La Homosexualidad - Valorando Minorías Sexuales: https://open.spotify.com/show/1prENuZWHDjYUsiRU684pd
Elton’s Three Rotary Podcasts:
Development Success Stories: https://open.spotify.com/show/6ezxqZIuL6OMFHC7dYLhNK
Inspiring Solutions for a Better World: https://open.spotify.com/show/4IDQhRnwnT1iqINDJo6rXc
The Weekly Rotarian:
https://open.spotify.com/show/3fbnO3K6fxKt9pfaTp8mYn
To learn more about the Rotary eClub of Silicon Valley: https://siliconvalleyrotary.com/
A transgender listener shares their pre-transition struggles and brings a unique perspective to Matthew 19:12.
For more on Matthew 19, and Jesus’s affirming words, see episodes: 6, 7, and 16.
Link to various translations of Matthew 19:12: https://www.biblegateway.com/verse/en/Matthew%2019:12
Link to the history of the transgender flag: https://www.pointofpride.org/blog/the-history-of-the-transgender-flag
Podcast produced by: Elton Sherwin
Audio edited and enhanced with: Descript Studio Sound
Synthesized speech also using Descript
#Bible
#Christian
#Affirming
Is same sex attraction a mental illness?
UCLA Prof. Evelyn Hooker, whose research showed that gay men were just as mentally healthy as straight men. And how one cleverly designed experiment changed the views of many medical professionals and theologians.
Articles quoted:
Catholic Catechism: https://www.usccb.org/sites/default/files/flipbooks/catechism/568/
The Pope Speaks: https://www.latimes.com/world/europe/la-fg-pope-chile-gay-20180520-story.html#:~:text=In%202013%2C%20Francis%20famously%20said,Catholic%20views%20on%20sexual%20orientation and https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/20/pope-juan-carlos-cruz
APA on same-sex attraction: https://www.psychiatry.org/file%20library/about-apa/organization-documents-policies/policies/position-2013-homosexuality.pdf (see second sentence)
Mainstream health organizations:https://www.apa.org/pi/lgbt/resources/just-the-facts#:~:text=the%20idea%20that%20homosexuality
Finding Affirming, Sex-Positive Counselors Who Do NOT Believe in Conversion Therapy:
• https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/therapy-for-lgbt#organizations
• https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/california?category=gay (Find the LGBTQ Affirming pull-down or edit the URL and replace “California” with “Texas” or whatever state you’re in)
• https://www.choosingtherapy.com/finding-an-lgbtq-therapist/
• https://allintherapyclinic.com/how-to-find-an-lgbt-affirming-therapist/
• https://directory.choosingtherapy.com/
• https://lgbtqhealthcaredirectory.org/
On-line therapy:
• https://www.choosingtherapy.com/best-lgbtq-online-therapy-options/
• https://www.talkspace.com/online-therapy/lgbtqia