John the Baptist & Building on Queer Activism – Mark 1:1-8

What this episode covers

The Gospel of Mark opens with a political statement and goes on to connect the ministry of Jesus to work that has come before. In this week’s podcast, we examine the context and implications of this gospel message and how that relates to our lives and work today. Read the transcript (PDF) In this episode, we talk about … Connecting our work to those who have come before us Queer Christians wrestle with faith and the divine in the same way that Jesus and his earliest followers The differences between the 4 Gospels The political context of Mark’s gospel, the importance of the word “gospel” and the meaning of the phrase “God’s son” The First Christmas by John Dominic Crossan and Marcus Borg How a Christian “should” look and respectability politics Mark 1:1-8 The beginning of the good news about Jesus Christ, God’s Son, happened just as it was written about in the prophecy of Isaiah: Look, I am sending my messenger before you. He will prepare your way, a voice shouting in the wilderness: “Prepare the way for the Lord; make his paths straight.” John the Baptist was in the wilderness calling for people to be baptized to show that they were changing their hearts and lives and wanted God to forgive their sins. Everyone in Judea and all the people of Jerusalem went out to the Jordan River and were being baptized by John as they confessed their sins. John wore clothes made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. He ate locusts and wild honey. He announced, “One stronger than I am is coming after me. I’m not even worthy to bend over and loosen the strap of his sandals. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” The post John the Baptist & Building on Queer Activism – Mark 1:1-8 appeared first on Queer Theology.