Wrestling With God: What Jacob's Name Change Teaches Us About LGBTQ+ Identity

What if the story of Jacob wrestling with God has always been a story about identity, transition, and transformation — and we just didn't see it? In this episode, Rev. Dr. Christopher Carter brings a queer theological lens to Genesis 32, unpacking what happens when Jacob refuses to let go of a divine being until he receives a blessing. At the center of this story isn't just a wrestling match; it's a name change. A transition. A declaration from God: "You shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel."  These transitions have always been present in Scripture but often go unseen: the stories of Abram becoming Abraham, Simon becoming Peter, Saul becoming Paul — these are stories of transition and transformation. They have always been there. This episode is for anyone who has wrestled with who they are — and needs to hear that God is with them in the limping, in the transition, and in the resurrection into who they are truly called to be. Happy pride, and we hope you enjoy this little bonus ep! The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians  Please subscribe to the Love Your Neighbor newsletter, an outgrowth of this podcast community. It will be a way for us to create new relationships and deepen existing ones with people of faith who want to learn how to practice their faith in ways that align with their values of love, justice, and compassion. We hope to see you on Substack! If you love the show, please sign up to become a supporter of The Progressive Christians Podcast! You can choose to make a one-time or monthly donation, and your support is tax-deductible. We need your support to continue and grow this outreach ministry. You can sign up to support us here: https://secure.myvanco.com/YGTN/campaign/C-168BG?access=tile_direct The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected].  Music by Coma-Media Song: Jazzy Abstract Beat_Chops CCLI License # - 11067347  CCLI Streaming Plus # - 22121889  OneLicense.net # - A-712504  CCS PerforMusic # - PML10767 #progressivechristianity #progressive #faith #politics #popculture #religion #christianpodcast