Communion & Shalom

You Say Gay-bye, and I Say Hello... | Terminology and Its Discontents

David and TJ get into one of the most commonly controversial topics currently regarding the Side B conversation and Side B Christians – terminology! We talk through some common reason why contemporary queer Christians may use queer/lgbt+ terminology in their lives versus people who would eschew such terms and often focus on instead using same sex (sexually) attracted (SS(S)A) terminology or else encouraging Christians not to use any such terms at all.  This conversation is of particular relevance to the differences that separate Side B and Side Y / X Christians in our contemporary times.
Apologies to our listeners for some audio issues on TJ’s end.
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Show Notes:
Yarhouse’s post providing commentary on the recent Anglican Church of North America’s Pastoral Statement regarding same sex relationships, identity, language, etc.: Reflections on The ACNA Pastoral Statement – Mark Yarhouse (wordpress.com)
Two side B Christians, Rachel Gilson and Greg Coles, have a dialogue on the use of “Gay” vs. “Same Sex Attraction”: “Gay” Vs. “Same Sex Attraction:” A Dialogue | The Center for Faith, Sexuality & Gender
A post by Rosaria Butterfield who is typically labeled as Side Y where she calls into question using sexual orientation language: What is wrong with gay Christianity? What is Side A and Side B anyway? — Rosaria Champagne Butterfield (rosariabutterfield.com)
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The PCA Votes on ”Gay/SSA Christian” Pastors

David and TJ discuss the goals, statuses, and potential impacts of several overtures (i.e. amendments) that were brought to the PCA national conversation in June/July of 2021. The Presbyterian Church in America's (PCA's) General Assembly was an event of much debate and controversy as this denomination tried to take a stance on ordination of "gay" pastors. While these proposed changes won't directly affect members of PCA congregations, they do aim at barring/removing pastors and other officers from serving in the church if they identify as "gay", "SSA", etc.
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Contents:
00 - Intro to PCA, Revoice, Greg Johnson, Study Report, "SSA Sin", Overtures
20 - General Assembly and 3-Step Process for Overture Amendments
22 - Overture 16: "those who identify as homosexual and claim to practice celibacy"
24 - Overture 23: “Those who profess an identity . . . that undermines or contradicts their identity as new creations in Christ”
37 - Overture 37: Character examination of candidate & “must not be known by reputation or self-profession for his remaining sinfulness"
47 - Concluding Steps and Recommended Actions
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Links:
Summary of the Overtures 23 and 37 (the two overtures on homosexuality that passed through General Assembly)
PCA Study Report on Human Sexuality
Video Conversation from Tim Keller and Kevin DeYoung on the Study Report (YouTube)
An Open Letter from Pastors in the PCA on Charity and Faithfulness (afaithfulpca.net)
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A-B-Y-X | Understanding the ”Sides” around Gay Marriage and Sexuality

David and TJ describe the “Sides” terminology/heuristic device used among many Christians engaged in the conversation around sexuality and Christianity in the US. They describe the most common fourfold system - A, B, Y, X – including the key principles that animate the particular school of thought, key organizations and/or figures, and values or postures that seem to be embedded among people in each broad school.
This conversation will be of use to listening to many future episodes as we are likely to use this system as a basic reference system when talking about the various schools of thought.
_____________Show Notes:
Here is David's shorthand tool for remembering the 4 sides:
Side Affirming homosexual practice #affirm
Side Biblical marriage and chastity #renew
Side whY talk about sexual orientation #renounce
Side eX-Gay therapy #rebuild
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A Summary Chart of ABYX [PNG Link]
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The origination of the Side A and B distinction from the Gay Christian Network (note: the contemporary Side B perspective is more expansive than this) [Bridges-Across: The Sides of the Divide -archive]
Mudblood Catholic’s Definition and Origination of the Side Y Descriptor [Mudblood Catholic: Gay and Catholic, Part I: Gaystation Two]
Bible Gender, and Sexuality by James V Brownson [Book link]
Michael Hannon Article “Against Heterosexuality” [Against Heterosexuality by Michael W. Hannon | Articles | First Things]
Rosaria Butterfield’s What is wrong with gay Christianity? What is Side A and Side B anyway? [What is wrong with gay Christianity? What is Side A and Side B anyway? — Rosaria Champagne Butterfield (rosariabutterfield.com)]
Strength of His Might’s Definition System – Adding Sides C & O [Definition of Terms | Strength of His Might (wordpress.com)]
Kevin DeYoung’s Article “Four Approaches to Race, Politics, and Gender” [Four Approaches to Race, Politics, and Gender - Kevin DeYoung (thegospelcoalition.org)]
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Art, Jesus, and ‘Queering‘ Your Perspective | Chat with Raye

TJ and David have a lovely time chatting with Raye! Raye is a Side B woman, who shares her experience growing up in a conservative Christian home and church, and later comes to terms with her tilted perspective. At times she identifies as "queer", yet she has recently and happily joined in marriage with her husband.
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00 - Gender Roles, Sexuality, & Growing Up
11 - Hospitality and Vulnerability
20 - Explaining your Marriage as a Queer Person
32 - Importance of Friendships
41 - Unexpected Goods; "Queering" in Art
45 - PCA
56 - Sharing Personal Convictions to Side A and Side X people
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This episode is a bit longer than anticipated, so feel free to listen to this as 1.5x speed to keep it under an hour ;)
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The Pull to Side A

Communion & Shalom's first episode, where TJ and David discuss why many straight Christians feel pulled to "Side A", an affirming progressive sexual ethics perspective (i.e. approval of gay marriage/sex). TJ and David discuss these dynamics, and the impact on queer/gay/SSA/etc Christians who are "Side B" (i.e. not-straight, but affirm the historical Biblical teaching of sex between husband and wife).
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