#46 - Hot Takes from Greg Coles on Being Single, Gay, and Christian Communion & Shalom

Coming right up, some hot takes from Greg Coles on:
* Why would you call yourself gay if you’re a Christian? That’s not your identity…
* Wouldn’t it be better if you got married (to someone of the opposite sex)?
* How do I talk to [person] about [LGBTQ sexuality topic we disagree on]?
If you are gay and Christian, or know someone who’s gay and a Christian, somebody in your life is asking these questions, and a whole lot more. This episode is for you, for sharing, and for further discussion.
Background: In Spring 2024, Greg Coles talked with a group of college students and campus ministers. We thought it was such a great primer on thinking Christianly about sexuality that we wanted to share it with you, slightly echo-y room and all.
This is not the end of the conversation—please reach out with your questions, comments, and further discussion!
About Our Guest
Greg is the author of Single, Gay, Christian: A Personal Journey of Faith and Sexual Identity and No Longer Strangers: Finding Belonging in a World of Alienation. You can find most of his creative activities curated at gregorycoles.com and at The Center for Faith, Sexuality & Gender.
__________
Timestamps
(02:42) Greg on writing Single, Gay, Christian and his PhD
(05:01) Why use "gay" to describe yourself as a Christian?
(09:34) A vision for marriage-free abstinence and delight in the body
(17:01) Theological vs practical questions on sexuality
(20:30) Changes in sexual orientation: happens? is normative? Mixed orientation marriages?
(25:12) Marriage and singleness as complements
(30:08) How am I a gift to the body around me?
(33:16) Q&A: Straight Catholic priests can CHOOSE celibacy or marriage
(37:05) Q&A: Concerns about taking the identity of being gay
(43:13) Q&A: How do I love my lesbian sister well?
(46:53) Q&A: Discipleship convos: I can't believe in Jesus if it means THIS for LGBTQ people...
(51:46) Q&A: Sharing the gospel in an identity politics world
__________
Links and References
Gay and Catholic and Tenderness by Eve Tushnet
__________
If you like this podcast, please consider…
→Sharing feedback or questions! communionandshalom@gmail.com
→Supporting us on Patreon! patreon.com/communionandshalom
→Following us on Instagram! @communionandshalom
—
Credits
Creators and Hosts: David Frank, TJ Espinoza
Audio Engineer: Carl Swenson (www.carlswensonmusic.com)
Podcast Manager: Elena



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit communionshalom.substack.com