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| the gospel of inclusion brandan robertson: The Gospel of Inclusion, Revised Edition Brandan J. Robertson, 2021-12-08 One of the most fiercely debated topics in modern Christianity centers on the inclusion of sexual and gender minorities into the full life of the church. Dozens of scholars have stepped forward, seeking to make a compelling case for LGBT+ inclusion based on their contextualized reading of the six traditional passages that refer to homosexuality in Scripture. But these arguments alone fall short of providing a comprehensive framework for radical inclusion of LGBT+ people. In The Gospel of Inclusion, pastor and public theologian Brandan Robertson offers a compelling assessment of the biblical texts, cultural context, and modern social movements to suggest that the entire thrust of the Christian gospel calls the church towards the deconstruction of all oppressive systems and structures and towards the creation of a world that celebrates the full spectrum of human diversity as a reflection of God’s creative intention. |
| the gospel of inclusion brandan robertson: True Inclusion Brandan Robertson, 2018-09-11 So your church website says you're welcoming, a rainbow flag flies out front, worship uses gender-inclusive language, and you make sure you greet the stranger next to you on Sunday mornings. But is all of that really enough? And what if those welcoming gestures actually keep visitors from returning and exclude dozens of other groups or people in your community? In True Inclusion, public theologian and pastor Brandan Robertson shares how to move your church from mere welcome to radical embrace. Pointing to a clear biblical imperative for radical inclusivity in the sanctuary and in the public square, Robertson presents a paradigm-shifting vision of community, where nothing is simple, nothing is easy, but everything is beautiful. Learn practical, step-by-step approaches to becoming deeply, robustly, and richly inclusive of all people regardless of race, gender identity, sexual orientation, political affiliation, and socioeconomic status. Written for people and communities at every stage of the journey, True Inclusion will challenge and inspire you to embody a gospel of radical embrace for all. |
| the gospel of inclusion brandan robertson: The Gospel of Inclusion, Revised Edition Brandan J. Robertson, 2021-12-08 One of the most fiercely debated topics in modern Christianity centers on the inclusion of sexual and gender minorities into the full life of the church. Dozens of scholars have stepped forward, seeking to make a compelling case for LGBT+ inclusion based on their contextualized reading of the six traditional passages that refer to homosexuality in Scripture. But these arguments alone fall short of providing a comprehensive framework for radical inclusion of LGBT+ people. In The Gospel of Inclusion, pastor and public theologian Brandan Robertson offers a compelling assessment of the biblical texts, cultural context, and modern social movements to suggest that the entire thrust of the Christian gospel calls the church towards the deconstruction of all oppressive systems and structures and towards the creation of a world that celebrates the full spectrum of human diversity as a reflection of God's creative intention. |
| the gospel of inclusion brandan robertson: Filled to Be Emptied Brandan J. Robertson, 2022-02-15 Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself . . . (Philippians 2:5–7a) These ancient words offer a guide for modern Christians wrestling with their privileged place in an unequal and unjust world. The Kenosis Hymn (as this passage quoted by the apostle Paul is known) celebrates Jesus for his willingness to forego the divine glory that he is due, instead humbling himself to serve the oppressed and outcast of his society. Through a combination of in-depth Bible study and social analysis, Filled to Be Emptied invites readers to explore the hymn verse by verse and see Jesus' self-emptying example as a model for privileged people to see their advantages not “as something to be exploited” but as something to be laid aside to seek the good of others. Brandan J. Robertson walks readers through a step-by-step process of identifying their privilege, exploring their privilege, and ultimately leveraging their privilege as a tool for the liberation and redemption of the world. Filled to Be Emptied is an essential book for all followers of Christ who are seeking to live lives of justice. |
| the gospel of inclusion brandan robertson: The Gospel of Inclusion, Revised Edition Brandan J. Robertson, 2021-12-08 One of the most fiercely debated topics in modern Christianity centers on the inclusion of sexual and gender minorities into the full life of the church. Dozens of scholars have stepped forward, seeking to make a compelling case for LGBT+ inclusion based on their contextualized reading of the six traditional passages that refer to homosexuality in Scripture. But these arguments alone fall short of providing a comprehensive framework for radical inclusion of LGBT+ people. In The Gospel of Inclusion, pastor and public theologian Brandan Robertson offers a compelling assessment of the biblical texts, cultural context, and modern social movements to suggest that the entire thrust of the Christian gospel calls the church towards the deconstruction of all oppressive systems and structures and towards the creation of a world that celebrates the full spectrum of human diversity as a reflection of God's creative intention. |
| the gospel of inclusion brandan robertson: Nomad Brandan Robertson, 2020-08-11 The deeper I grow in my own faith as a Christian, the greater my desire to explore. My faith whets my appetite for discovering what God is doing in and through the world each and every day. This book is a chronicle of some of the most important lessons I have learned thus far. I write to encourage my fellow nomads who, like me, so often feel alone in their wanderings yet are a part of a much larger caravan of fellow wanderers seeking to discover for ourselves the meaning and mysteries of life. Part-autobiography, part-Christian spirituality, Nomad offers penetrating insight into the minds of the new generations of progressive evangelical followers of Jesus in the global Church. Themes include community, war, redemption, wonder, grace, sexuality, and the Eucharist. |
| the gospel of inclusion brandan robertson: Staying Awake Tyler Sit, 2021-04-06 Jesus asked his followers to stay awake, which begs the question: stay awake to what? Staying Awake is a practical exploration of Christianity for people who want to show up for justice and stay in the movement. Complete with stories, worksheets, poetry, illustrations, and a commitment to centering queer people of color, this book is here to support you in staying awake: to God, to the evils of oppression, and the world’s coming liberation. |
| the gospel of inclusion brandan robertson: Our Witness Brandan J. Robertson, 2018-03-27 The stories of LGBT+ Christians are not untold, but have often been unheard by faith leaders and communities. While so much of the conversation about LGBT+ inclu18sion has focused on theology and ideology, few have actually interacted with the raw, real stories and experiences of LGBT+ Christians. In this volume, LGBT+ Christian activist and theologian Brandan Robertson has brought together stories of LGBT+ Christians from around the world combined with his theological insights to create a powerful book that will challenge, convict, and inspire readers from all theological backgrounds to examine their posture and message toward the LGBT+ community and embrace the revival that the Holy Spirit is igniting among queer Christians around the world. |
| the gospel of inclusion brandan robertson: Gay & Christian, No Contradiction Brandan Robertson, 2020 |
| the gospel of inclusion brandan robertson: Paul the Progressive? Eric C. Smith, 2019-11-22 A generation of biblical scholars have sparked a revolution in thinking about the apostle Paul. Now, bible scholar and progressive Christian pastor Eric C. Smith is helping Christians see how that revolution makes a difference for people engaged in the work of justice and inclusion. In Paul the Progressive, Smith revisits Paul in light of modern biblical scholarship, telling the story of a Paul who challenged the norms of his day, broke down barriers of gender and ethnicity, and re-imagined God’s plan for the world in terms of radical inclusion and salvation available to everyone. |
| the gospel of inclusion brandan robertson: The Jewish Connection to Israel, the Promised Land Rabbi Eugene Korn, PhD, 2012-10-04 A window into the Jewish People’s connection to Israel— written especially for Christians. “Israel has taken Jewish sacred history, peoplehood, and ethics out of the realm of speculation and put them into the crucible of real life experience. In returning the Jewish People to its homeland, Israel has returned Jews to material reality—with all its challenges. The Jewish People’s return to the Land returns Judaism to its original vision and the Jewish People to the responsibilities of the biblical covenant.” —from Chapter 9 Along with illuminating the importance of Israel for Jews, this special book examines the Jewish return to Zion as a significant theological event that strengthens the foundations of the Christian faith and its mission. In clear and accessible language, this introduction guides Christians through the essential meanings of Israel for the Jewish People and for the world. It defines Israel as an indispensable part of Judaism’s vision for the Jewish People to be “a kingdom of priests and a holy people,” as a partner with God in the Bible’s sacred covenant. It examines Israel, a sovereign Jewish state, as a safe refuge and home for Jews fleeing persecution anywhere in the world, and how this gives meaning to the Jewish People’s convictions that the future can be more secure than the past. The State of Israel stands at the center of how Jews see themselves today as individuals as well as at the center of the Jewish People’s collective self-perception. As a result, understanding Judaism and the Jewish People is possible only by grasping the Jewish hopes, dreams and experiences that center around Israel, the promised land. |
| the gospel of inclusion brandan robertson: The Gospel of John John Paul Heil, 2016-12-29 The Gospel of John has been examined from many different perspectives, but a comprehensive treatment of the theme of worship in this Gospel has not yet appeared. John Paul Heil offers a contribution toward a remedy of this deficiency by analyzing the entire Gospel of John from the perspective of its various dimensions of worship. The aim is to illustrate that three different but complementary dimensions of worship - confessional, sacramental, and ethical - dominate this Gospel. Indeed, these different types of worship represent the ways one expresses and demonstrates the faith that includes having divine life eternal, which is the stated purpose for writing the signs Jesus did in this Gospel - that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that, believing, you may have life in his name ( John 20:31). |
| the gospel of inclusion brandan robertson: Letter to a Christian Nation Sam Harris, 2006-09-19 From the new afterword by the author: Humanity has had a long fascination with blood sacrifice. In fact, it has been by no means uncommon for a child to be born into this world only to be patiently and lovingly reared by religious maniacs, who believe that the best way to keep the sun on its course or to ensure a rich harvest is to lead him by tender hand into a field or to a mountaintop and bury, butcher, or burn him alive as offering to an invisible God. The notion that Jesus Christ died for our sins and that his death constitutes a successful propitiation of a “loving” God is a direct and undisguised inheritance of the superstitious bloodletting that has plagued bewildered people throughout history. . . |
| the gospel of inclusion brandan robertson: Belieber! Cathleen Falsani, 2011-09-27 Justin Bieber's rise from regular kid to one of the most famous people on the planet has captivated a nation of devoted fans called Beliebers. With hit records, 8 million followers on Twitter and the third-largest grossing documentary film of all time, the 17-year-old Canadian pop star dubbed Super Boy on Rolling Stone's recent cover has countless fans who hang on his every word. But is there more to this pop idol's startling success than his legendary haircut and unusual talent? The success I've achieved comes ... from God, Bieber says I feel I have an obligation to plant little seeds with my fans. I'm not going to tell them, 'You need Jesus,' but I will say at the end of my show, 'God loves you.' The bold yet humble faith that grounds Bieber's worldview may just be the key to his extraordinary appeal. Recognizing that music and film are the language of this new generation, author and religion journalist Cathleen Falsani's hope is that this book will encourage faith leaders as well as parents to engage with popular culture in a different way so they can better talk to their kids about what matters most. |
| the gospel of inclusion brandan robertson: The Super Gospel Robert C. Ferrell, 2015 One of the great hallmarks of the four canonical gospels is that despite their many similarities, each of them presents Jesus in a slightly different way. Even so, there were far more than four gospels that emerged during the early years of Christianity. In fact, there were, dozens, perhaps hundreds of gospels, each focusing different periods of Jesus' life, as well as differing aspects of his teaching and ministry. Could there be the same unity between these gospels as there is between the four? One way to find out would be to combine them all into a single work and simply see what kind of Jesus they collectively present. The Super Gospel represents the first systematic effort to integrate all of the ancient gospels into a single readable text. |
| the gospel of inclusion brandan robertson: When I Spoke in Tongues Jessica Wilbanks, 2018-11-13 A memoir of the profound destabilization that comes from losing one's faith--and a young woman's journey to reconcile her lack of belief with her love for her deeply religious family. Growing up in poverty in the rural backwoods of southern Maryland, the Pentecostal church was at the core of Jessica Wilbanks' family life. At sixteen, driven by a desire to discover the world, Jessica walked away from the church--trading her faith for freedom, and driving a wedge between her and her deeply religious family. But fundamentalist faiths haunt their adherents long after belief fades--former believers frequently live in limbo, straddling two world views and trying to reconcile their past and present. Ten years later, struggling with guilt and shame, Jessica began a quest to recover her faith. It led her to West Africa, where she explored the Yorùbá roots of the Pentecostal faith, and was once again swept up by the promises and power of the church. After a terrifying car crash, she finally began the difficult work of forgiving herself for leaving the church and her family and finding her own path. When I Spoke in Tongues is a story of the painful and complicated process of losing one's faith and moving across class divides. And in the end, it's a story of how a family splintered by dogmatic faith can eventually be knit together again through love. |
| the gospel of inclusion brandan robertson: Paul and Participation in Christ Mark Goodwin, 2020-11-09 Since the 1970s, Pauline scholars have become increasingly aware of the significance of participation (formerly Pauline mysticism) in Paul's letters. In them, he employed a diversity of participatory expressions, speaking of believers being in Christ, baptized into Christ, and being crucified with Christ. While Paul makes frequent references to participation, he never explained what it was, thus leaving modern interpreters with an enigma on its nature. This book seeks to redress this neglected question of Pauline participation through an examination of patristic texts from Irenaeus, Origen, Athanasius, and Cyril of Alexandria, paying close attention to how each may shed potential new light on the enigma of Pauline participation.--Back cover. |
| the gospel of inclusion brandan robertson: Shakespeare's Christian Dimension Roy Wesley Battenhouse, 1994-05-22 An impressive collection of ninety-two abridged essays identifying the Christian elements in Shakespeare's plays . . . a great feast of learning and beauty. —First Things This is an exceptionally valuable book . . . very highly recommended —Sixteenth Century Journal . . . an exemplary work. In an age when footling matters often replace the great religious quandaries about what it means to live and die before God, Shakespeare's Christian Dimension helps restore our focus. —Pro Ecclesia This anthology reprints abridged versions of 92 critical commentaries on the influence of Shakespeare's Christian heritage on the shaping of his plays. It does not attempt to be exhaustive in its coverage, but to provide a useful sampling of valuable work. A supplementary bibliography of more than 250 further items encourages interested readers to further exploration. |
| the gospel of inclusion brandan robertson: Three Treatises Martin Luther, 1970-01-01 Martin Luther posted his Ninety-five Theses on the church door at Wittenberg in 1517. In the three years that followed, Luther clarified and defended his position in numerous writings. Chief among these are the three treatises written in 1520. In these writings Luther tried to frame his ideas in terms that would be comprehensible not only to the clergy but to people from a wide range of backgrounds. To the Christian Nobility of the German Nation is an attack on the corruption of the church and the abuses of its authority, bringing to light many of the underlying reasons for the Reformation. The second treatise, The Babylonian Captivity of the Church, contains Luther's sharp criticism of the sacramental system of the Catholic church. The Freedom of a Christian gives a concise presentation of Luther's position on the doctrine of justification by faith. The translations of these treatises are all taken from the American edition of Luther's Works. This new edition of Three Treatises will continue to be a popular resource for individual study, church school classes, and college and seminary courses. |
| the gospel of inclusion brandan robertson: Here & Hereafter Tyler Henry, 2021-05-25 From Tyler Henry, celebrated medium, comes the ultimate self-help guide detailing the insights the departed have communicated about how to live our best, most meaningful lives. Do you want to live more meaningfully, and in turn fulfill your life’s potential? Do you want to have the capability to transform your life and make it infinitely better, by paying attention to what those who have lived and died have come to understand about the meaning of life itself? As one of the world’s most accomplished mediums, Tyler Henry has had thousands of communications with those who’ve already gone through humanity’s final frontier: physical death. The life lessons he’s learned from those conversations have been truly transformative. In Here & Hereafter Tyler explains that by listening and learning from the departed, following their guidance, and paying attention to what they might have done differently, we can get more fulfillment and purpose from our own lives. Here & Hereafter will shed light on the most powerful understandings Tyler has gained from modern day mediumship—and explain how those understandings can lead us to live a more meaningful life. |
| the gospel of inclusion brandan robertson: Undivided Vicky Beeching, 2019-08-20 Arguably the most influential Christian of her generation (The Guardian) Vicky Beeching chronicles her rise at the heights of Christian music and her brave decision to come out as gay—leading to self-acceptance and acknowledgment which changed her relationship with God and the practice of her faith. From a young age, Vicky Beeching loved to write songs and lead worship in church. In singing, she experienced the fullest expression of herself, what God had uniquely blessed her to do. After college, Vicky quickly achieved stardom, touring with some of Christian music’s biggest names. But Vicky’s success was threatened by a terrifying secret. She was gay. There was no room in Christian music for a gay worship leader. For ten years, Vicky rejected who she really was—a denial that damaged her in body and soul. After leaving music behind to enroll in a theology program at Oxford University, Vicky discovered that she could not worship God with a pure heart if she did not accept who she was. When she courageously came out publically in 2014, Vicky lost the support of her Christian community. But she gained much more: the truth had set her free. Focusing on her speaking and writing instead of music, Vicky leads worship in a new way now, emphasizing God’s inclusive love and faithfulness. Undivided is the story of her transformation, a joyous tale of God’s love, and a call for all Christians to worship God in authentic ways. |
| the gospel of inclusion brandan robertson: UnClobber Colby Martin, 2016-09-28 Churches in America are experiencing an unprecedented fracturing due to their belief and attitude toward the LGBTQ community. Armed with only six passages in the Bible--often known as the clobber passages--the traditional Christian position has been one that stands against the full inclusion of our LGBTQ brothers and sisters. Unclobber reexamines each of those frequently quoted passages of Scripture, alternating with author Colby Martin's own story of being fired from an evangelical megachurch when they discovered his stance on sexuality. UnClobber reexamines what the Bible says (and does not say) about homosexuality in such a way that breathes fresh life into outdated and inaccurate assumptions and interpretations. |
| the gospel of inclusion brandan robertson: Transforming, Updated and Expanded Edition with Study Guide: The Bible and the Lives of Transgender Christians AUSTEN. HARTKE, 2022-01-18 Transforming: The Bible and the Lives of Transgender Christians provides access into an underrepresented and misunderstood community and will change the way readers think about transgender people, faith, and the future of Christianity. Hartke offers insight into Scriptures often used to enforce a fixed and binary conception of gender, and highlights the narratives of both gender-expansive biblical characters and transgender Christians living today. This new, updated and expanded edition includes even more tools to equip churches, pastors, and allies to better welcome and care for their trans and non-binary neighbors. |
| the gospel of inclusion brandan robertson: Tamasin's Kitchen Bible Tamasin Day-Lewis, 2005 Most cooks long for an all-encompassing cookbook that will show how to make everything from a basic biscuit to a poached salmon, advise on different cuts of meat and types of potatoes, and explain how to rescue a split sauce along the way. This is that book. through those first, experimental recipes, giving confidence to progress to more sophisticated dishes. The student or cook on a budget will find a repertoire of economical recipes, and the experienced cook will find inspiration in the comprehensive classics and new favourites chapters. There is an entire chapter on Christmas with a timetable for Christmas day plus 35 recipes that will inspire you between Christmas and New Year. |
| the gospel of inclusion brandan robertson: Biblical Hospitality Steve Durand, Dan Stockum, David Gudgel, 2020-02-03 When it comes to hospitality, we usually think about a gracious host or hostess inviting friends or family into their home; sharing a nice meal in a warm, comfortable atmosphere. That is cultural hospitality. And it can be wonderful, even in its simplest form. But if that's as far as your hospitality goes, you are not practicing biblical hospitality. Biblical hospitality calls us to be aware of, and to reach out to, strangers in need, both within the church and in the world around us. Treating strangers as we would instinctively treat our family and friends. Showing them genuine Christ-like love and friendship. Meeting their needs when we are able. That is the focus of this 40-day study in Biblical Hospitality. |
| the gospel of inclusion brandan robertson: Matzah Balls to Communion Wafers Gail Baker, 2019-07-29 When Baker yearns for something more, she discovers that the Christian message answers the deep yearning within each of us to resolve human suffering. Baker's conversion is not a blinding-light epiphany, but a process spanning years of agonizing conflict, echoing twenty centuries of misunderstanding between Christians and Jews. Living in the same city as her chagrined parents, she is forced to process difficulties related to family dynamics, group loyalty, and identity politics. Readers will be emboldened by Baker's decision to follow Christ at the risk of rupturing ties with family and community. Her book will appeal to all who seek God's guidance in making difficult life decisions. This book is a must-read for Christians who wish to engage with their Jewish friends. The Jewish mindset is tenderly revealed, showing why so many Jews bristle at the mere mention of Jesus. Gail's quest is honest and authentic. It's easy to go along and accept what one's been taught. She's sought God on her own terms. It's a path of discovery and only good things can come from it. --Hesh Epstein, Orthodox Rabbi I love reading stories of people coming to a life-giving faith. Especially when the hard and harsh things that comprise any life get full attention. Gail's is no glib testimony, but a moving, carefully unrolling narrative with flashes of humor and glimpses of insight. She confronts heartache and tough questions without flinching, all the while showing how God walked alongside her, and brought to her mercy and hope. Her story will stir something similarly satisfying and sustaining in others. --Timothy Jones, Dean Trinity Episcopal Cathedral I read this book in one sitting. Coming myself from Jewish heritage, it stirred my heart and I found I couldn't put it down! Every Christian should understand the Jewish underpinnings of Christianity and this work lays them out beautifully. This book is both wonderfully theological and deeply personal. Gail is stunningly and authentically honest about her own journey, faith, and family. I found myself shedding tears of sadness and joy! You will find great wisdom here that may just change your life. --Alfred Al T. K. Zadig Jr., former Rector of All Saints Church in Chevy Chase, Maryland in the Diocese of Washington, DC Linda and I are spellbound about the way God used us in Gail's metamorphosis. Just as physical birth can entail a long and painful experience, so it was with Gail's spiritual rebirth. Our recent experience of reading her book was intensely emotional. Because the Jewish embrace of Jesus represents an earth-shattering change, I have not been able to contain my tears. Her writing, transparent and without guile, has well-placed, healing Scriptures that affect the reader like a balm on an open wound. --Glenn Welsford, retired Presbyterian minister, PCA Gail Baker's Matzah Balls to Communion Wafers is a strikingly frank and unique assessment of her personal, social, and, ultimately, theological path. An emotional and intellectual treatment without veneer, it reflects the interplay between the Spirit's leading and an honest willed search. --Gerald Mills, Senior Pastor, Providence Presbyterian Church, PCA Gail Baker has given us a powerful account of her personal spiritual pilgrimage that engages both the mind and heart and lights the way for all as we encounter the holy in the large and small experiences of our own lives. With searing honesty, profound insight and extraordinarily engaging vulnerability, Gail invites us to join her on a life quest for the truth of God. As her story progresses, we see how the unfolding mystery of Jesus Christ is revealed, known and trusted in the broken places, wounds, and hurts of life. It remains an account of irrepressible joy, gratitude and openness to the future. As she wrestles to understand her life and relationships, Gail weaves together a beautiful tapestry that draws from the best of Jewish and Christian sch |
| the gospel of inclusion brandan robertson: Spiritual Friendship Wesley Hill, 2015-04-21 Friendship is a relationship like no other. Unlike the relationships we are born into, we choose our friends. It is also tenuous--we can end a friendship at any time. But should friendship be so free and unconstrained? Although our culture tends to pay more attention to romantic love, marriage, family, and other forms of community, friendship is a genuine love in its own right. This eloquent book reminds us that Scripture and tradition have a high view of friendship. Single Christians, particularly those who are gay and celibate, may find it is a form of love to which they are especially called. Writing with deep empathy and with fidelity to historic Christian teaching, Wesley Hill retrieves a rich understanding of friendship as a spiritual vocation and explains how the church can foster friendship as a basic component of Christian discipleship. He helps us reimagine friendship as a robust form of love that is worthy of honor and attention in communities of faith. This book sets forth a positive calling for celibate gay Christians and suggests practical ways for all Christians to cultivate stronger friendships. |
| the gospel of inclusion brandan robertson: One King Samuel Whitefield, 2016-12-06 Few subjects have been more controversial throughout history than Israel. Some say her significance ended in the first century, but if God is finished with the Jewish people, how has Israel miraculously reemerged as a state after two millennia of dispersion? Why is the rage of nations, ideologies, and religions aimed ultimately at the destruction of this group of people once predicted to bless the whole earth? And how is the church supposed to relate to a modern, secular Israel in these intensifying times? Who constitutes the true people of God--Israel or followers of Jesus? As the controversy around Israel increases, anti-Semitism rises, and the gospel mission to every people group nears completion, the global church will be forced to answer these questions. We must understand both the original Old Testament gospel mandate and exactly how the first coming of Jesus dramatically shifted redemptive history. The New Testament teaches that God's promises to both Israel and the nations will be fulfilled by One King--Jesus. Discover God's Jesus-centered solution to the conundrum of history and answer to the question, What is true Zion, and who are the people of God? |
| the gospel of inclusion brandan robertson: True Inclusion Brandan Robertson, 2018-09-11 So your church website says you're welcoming, a rainbow flag flies out front, worship uses gender-inclusive language, and you make sure you greet the stranger next to you on Sunday mornings. But is all of that really enough? And what if those welcoming gestures actually keep visitors from returning and exclude dozens of other groups or people in your community? In True Inclusion, public theologian and pastor Brandan Robertson shares how to move your church from mere welcome to radical embrace. Pointing to a clear biblical imperative for radical inclusivity in the sanctuary and in the public square, Robertson presents a paradigm-shifting vision of community, where nothing is simple, nothing is easy, but everything is beautiful. Learn practical, step-by-step approaches to becoming deeply, robustly, and richly inclusive of all people regardless of race, gender identity, sexual orientation, political affiliation, and socioeconomic status. Written for people and communities at every stage of the journey, True Inclusion will challenge and inspire you to embody a gospel of radical embrace for all. |
| the gospel of inclusion brandan robertson: Loving Like Jesus Blaine Vorster, 2025-03-11 Loving Like Jesus is an inspirational guidebook for those who want to model their lives on the love, inclusivity, and tolerance of Jesus Christ. In an increasingly divisive world, the societal push is to become more tolerant. Does the church need to adapt to the twenty-first century and become more progressive? What would Jesus do? Faced with modern challenges and questions about love, inclusivity, and tolerance, those who want to follow the example of Jesus need to carefully inspect his teaching and modeling for answers. In an examination of Jesus’s words and actions in the Gospel of John, Blaine Vorster contrasts Jesus’s example with the narrative of love and tolerance being promoted by Progressive Christianity. Loving Like Jesus offers a refreshing take on the tie-in between faith and social justice, perfect for those who search for truth and desire to honor the authentic Jesus. |
| the gospel of inclusion brandan robertson: End the Stalemate Sean McDowell, Tim Muehlhoff, 2024-06-18 When was the last time you had a real & meaningful conversation? What has happened to our society? Differences of opinion have always been part of life. For decades, spouses, family members, co-workers, and neighbors have had spirited conversations about politics, social issues, religion, current events, and even sports. But what was different in the past is that these disagreements wouldn’t sever ties between family and friends. Today, we live in an argument culture that has let to nearly a third of people reporting they have stopped talking to a friend or family member due to a disagreement and nearly two-thirds of people saying they stay quiet about their beliefs due to the fear of offending others. From cyberbullying to hate speech, workplace harassment, demonizing political language, verbal abuse, and intolerance, the vast majority of us—eighty-seven percent—no longer feel safe in public places to share our opinions. Sean McDowell and Tim Muehlhoff seek to end this stalemate. They believe Christians are called to be God’s ambassadors, which necessarily entails the need to listen to those around us—especially people with diverse and different perspectives. In End the Stalemate, you will be able to revive the art of meaningful conversations by walking through: How to create connection and emotional awareness that opens the door for a fair exchange of ideas and effective communication; How to engage in perspective-taking, as illustrated in Scripture in a number of stories; How to speak the truth in love, from a biblical understanding; How to structure a conversation with those who hold diverse, and/or seemingly threatening, views; and How to honor the words and perspective of those with whom we disagree. Yes, we live in cancel culture. But that doesn’t mean that we as Christians need to conform to our world. Instead, we can be a beacon of sanity that promotes meaningful conversations around what matters most in this life—and the next. |
| the gospel of inclusion brandan robertson: Queer & Christian Brandan Robertson, 2025-05-27 Celebrate queer faith and take your rightful place at God’s table with Brandan Robertson, the “TikTok Pastor,” Biblical scholar, and social activist For too long, the Bible has been weaponized to exclude LGBTQ+ individuals, despite Jesus’ radical message of inclusion. In Queer & Christian, Brandan Robertson envisions a faith where all are unequivocally embraced. Ostracized at school, Brandan thought he had finally found his community when he joined the local church. But he soon realized that they were as intolerant as his peers at school had been—if not more so. After agonizing years of repressing his true identity, he discovered that God’s table had always had a place for him. Jesus’ love knows no bounds, embracing everyone unconditionally. Queer & Christian is a joyful celebration of queer faith and an unyielding reclamation of the Bible. Dive into pages that offer: -Compelling, evidence-based counterarguments to the “clobber verses” often used to condemn queerness -Celebrations of queer saints within the Bible—more numerous than you might believe! -Responses to commonly asked questions by queer folks and allies who’re feeling lost within the Christian faith Brandan Robertson stands as a beacon of love, hope, and unwavering support for anyone ready to reclaim their faith from the clutches of intolerance. |
| the gospel of inclusion brandan robertson: Practicing Kathy Escobar, 2020-01-18 From the masses of young people spurning organized religion to faithful followers of Jesus, there is a deep hunger across gender, age, socioeconomics, and denominational backgrounds for practical, tangible ways to live a life of love, mercy, and justice in our divided, fragmented world. But where do we start? Its easy to feel overwhelmed by the worlds problems, with solutions to violence and poverty and oppression seeming so far out of reach. But you have more power to change the world than you realizeand it starts with changing yourself. In Practicing, Pastor Kathy Escobar inspires and challenges readers with practical encouragement to live their faith through real action using ten transformational practices, including listening more, including the marginalized, advocating for justice, and mourning with those who grieve. By putting our hearts, hands, and feet behind our good intentions, we can transform our groups, our communities, and our world. Extremely interactive, relational, and practical, Practicing can be read alone or processed together with a group, church, or class. |
| the gospel of inclusion brandan robertson: Misguided Love Charles Fensham, 2019-11-01 The invitation of this book is for my readers who are Christian to consider the dimension of harm in the ongoing debates on affirming or not affirming sexual and gender minority Christians within church communities. Much has been said and much is written on biblical interpretation and Christian traditions of teaching. There are also many arguments on the issue of justice and equality that have been made for and against the affirmation of sexual and gender minorities. Here I bring evidence of the history of harm and the infliction of harm on sexual and gender minority Christians. In South Africa, my country of origin, I lived through the apartheid era and experienced first-hand how biblical teaching can be used in pious ways to exploit, discriminate, and kill people. Presently and in the past, similar things happen to sexual and gender minority Christians. When we discover that we do harm we must stop. - Charles Fensham |
| the gospel of inclusion brandan robertson: Made, Known, Loved Ross Murray, 2021 Made, Known, Loved: Developing LGBTQ-Inclusive Youth Ministry builds on experience and wisdom developed through The Naming Project, a ministry created at the intersection of youth, faith, and LGBTQ identity. Ministry cofounder Ross Murray shows congregations how to examine their values and create a program that affirms LGBTQ youth in their faith and their identity, accepts and welcomes diverse sexual orientations and gender identities, and equips future leaders for the church and the LGBTQ community. |
| the gospel of inclusion brandan robertson: Building Your Digital Sanctuary Brandan J. Robertson, 2023-03-01 The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the digital revolution faster than anyone expected. In a few weeks, faith communities around the world were thrust into developing fully digital ministries--some doing it well, and others struggling along the way. However, this moment of crisis opened the opportunity for all faith communities to reach unprecedented numbers of people and truly become ministries without walls. Yet many churches have failed to fully incorporate a digital vision into their long-term plan for ministry and have largely reverted to in-person programs and services because of a lack of direction on how to build high quality and sustainable digital ministries. Building Your Digital Sanctuary is an introductory guide for pastors and communications teams on how to lay the foundation of an impactful and sustainable digital sanctuary alongside your in-person ministries. Drawing on the wisdom of some of digital ministry experts, this practical guide will provide the inspiration and insight churches need to minister in the emerging digital age. |
| the gospel of inclusion brandan robertson: Rally , 2020-08-01 This is a prayer book for revolution—a revolution of love and compassion and justice, Shane Claiborne writes in the foreword. The prayers in this collection are meant to be prayed in community. Rally is a prayer book for faith communities searching for words to respond to the injustices around them. It's a prayer book for Christian activists who believe in putting feet to their prayers. The book supplies words for concerned Christians who yearn to lift their voices to God about such issues as racism; the abuse of power and privilege; mistreatment of migrants and refugees; lives tragically lost; our violent society; white supremacy; and people being marginalized because of their gender, ethnic identity, sexual orientation, or economic status. Rally contains prayers for perpetrators, for loving our bodies, for listening to one another, for those who have been wounded by the church. In this resource, readers will find prayers that evoke hope and connection, guidance for sifting through the news and social media headlines, laments about destruction of the earth, and pleas for loving alike though we don't think alike. The beauty of this book lies in the rich variety of voices and experiences of its writers—leaders who work at the intersection of Christianity and social justice and who want to resource those who gather to lament the needs and celebrate the possibilities of a better world. Lord, stir us up to holy action, cries this powerful book. Rally spurs people to compassionately continue the important work of loving God and neighbor until all of God's people feel safe and seen. |
| the gospel of inclusion brandan robertson: El Evangelio de la inclusión Brandan Robertson, 2021-01-26 ¿SE PUEDE CONTINUAR NEGANDO LA INCLUSIÓN PLENA EN LA IGLESIA CRISTIANA? ¿CON QUÉ BASE BÍBLICA Y ARGUMENTACIÓN DOGMÁTICA PECARÍAMOS ASÍ? ¿Y SI EN REALIDAD SE TRATA DE VOLVER PARA VER EL EVANGELIO CON OTROS OJOS? Uno de los temas más debatidos del cristianismo moderno se centra en la inclusión de las minorías sexuales y de género en la vida plena de la iglesia. Docenas de académicos han dado un paso adelante, buscando presentar argumentos convincentes para la inclusión LGBTIQ+, basados en la lectura contextual de los seis pasajes bíblicos tradicionales referidos a la homosexualidad. Pero estos argumentos por sí solos no proporcionan un marco integral para la inclusión radical de las personas LGBTIQ+. En El Evangelio de la inclusión, Brandan Robertson, pastor y teólogo, ofrece una apreciación cautivadora de los textos bíblicos, el contexto cultural y los movimientos sociales modernos para sugerir que todo el impulso del Evangelio cristiano llama a la iglesia hacia la deconstrucción de todos los sistemas y estructuras opresivas, y hacia la creación de un mundo que celebre el espectro completo de la diversidad humana como reflejo de la intención creadora de Dios. |
| the gospel of inclusion brandan robertson: Queere Theologie Lara A. Kneubühler, Miriam Löhr, 2024-07-08 »Queer« ist in aller Munde und auch in der Theologie angekommen. Während englischsprachige Diskurse florieren, entwickelt sich eine deutschsprachige Queere Theologie erst zögerlich. Inwieweit ist Theologie »queer«? Und wie verhalten sich Theologie, Feministische Theologie und Queer Theory zueinander? Die aus unterschiedlichen theologischen Disziplinen stammenden Beitragenden antworten fachspezifisch. Mit ihren verschiedenen Zugängen und Impulsen spiegeln sie die Heterogenität wider, die der Queer Theory ebenso wie der Theologie zugrunde liegt, und diskutieren klassische theologische und anthropologische Topoi in neuem Licht. |
The Gospel - Desiring God
Aug 26, 2016 · The gospel is good news because it brings a person into the everlasting and ever-increasing joy of Jesus Christ. He is not merely the rope that pulls us from the threatening …
What Is the Christian Gospel? - Desiring God
Jun 5, 2002 · The gospel is not just a sequence of steps (say, the "Four Laws" of Campus Crusade or the "Six Biblical Truths" of Quest for Joy). Those are essential. But what makes the …
The Gospel in 6 Minutes - Desiring God
Sep 12, 2007 · That’s the gospel. You Can’t Outgrow the Gospel. You never, never, never outgrow your need for the gospel. Don’t ever think of the gospel as, “That’s the way you get …
Twelve Gospel Passages to Soak In - Desiring God
Aug 7, 2013 · Mere truth won’t do it. Our souls desperately need the gospel. “The grace of God in truth” (Colossians 1:6) is the shock that brings a dead soul to life, and the charge that keeps it …
Living with Gospel-Sized Ambition - Desiring God
Feb 10, 2025 · But I do not account my life” — this is Acts 20:24 now — “of any value nor as precious to myself, if only” — this is the one sense in which he does value his life — “I may …
A Six-Point Summary of the Gospel - Desiring God
Mar 19, 2012 · Here’s a summary of the gospel to help you understand it and enjoy it and share it! 1) God created us for his glory. “Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the end of the …
The Gospel in Six Truths | Desiring God
Aug 1, 2018 · Here are six elements I see in that text on the gospel. If any one of these six is missing, we have no gospel. 1. The gospel is a divine plan. “Christ died for our sins in …
A Summary of the Gospel to Help You Enjoy It and Share It
God Created Us for His Glory “Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth, everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory” (Isaiah 43:6-7).
The Gospel of the Grace of God - Desiring God
Nov 22, 2014 · The verse is Acts 20:24, “I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to …
Where Does Mark End? | Desiring God
May 9, 2023 · The end of Mark’s Gospel is unique in the New Testament in Vaticanus. 4 On the final page, the second of three columns ends with 16:8, with a small gap at the end of that …
The Gospel - Desiring God
Aug 26, 2016 · The gospel is good news because it brings a person into the everlasting and ever-increasing joy of Jesus Christ. He is not merely the rope that pulls us from the threatening waves; …
What Is the Christian Gospel? - Desiring God
Jun 5, 2002 · The gospel is not just a sequence of steps (say, the "Four Laws" of Campus Crusade or the "Six Biblical Truths" of Quest for Joy). Those are essential. But what makes the gospel …
The Gospel in 6 Minutes - Desiring God
Sep 12, 2007 · That’s the gospel. You Can’t Outgrow the Gospel. You never, never, never outgrow your need for the gospel. Don’t ever think of the gospel as, “That’s the way you get saved, and …
Twelve Gospel Passages to Soak In - Desiring God
Aug 7, 2013 · Mere truth won’t do it. Our souls desperately need the gospel. “The grace of God in truth” (Colossians 1:6) is the shock that brings a dead soul to life, and the charge that keeps it …
Living with Gospel-Sized Ambition - Desiring God
Feb 10, 2025 · But I do not account my life” — this is Acts 20:24 now — “of any value nor as precious to myself, if only” — this is the one sense in which he does value his life — “I may finish …
A Six-Point Summary of the Gospel - Desiring God
Mar 19, 2012 · Here’s a summary of the gospel to help you understand it and enjoy it and share it! 1) God created us for his glory. “Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the end of the …
The Gospel in Six Truths | Desiring God
Aug 1, 2018 · Here are six elements I see in that text on the gospel. If any one of these six is missing, we have no gospel. 1. The gospel is a divine plan. “Christ died for our sins in accordance …
A Summary of the Gospel to Help You Enjoy It and Share It
God Created Us for His Glory “Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth, everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory” (Isaiah 43:6-7).
The Gospel of the Grace of God - Desiring God
Nov 22, 2014 · The verse is Acts 20:24, “I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to …
Where Does Mark End? | Desiring God
May 9, 2023 · The end of Mark’s Gospel is unique in the New Testament in Vaticanus. 4 On the final page, the second of three columns ends with 16:8, with a small gap at the end of that column. …
