Ruth, Naomi, and Patriarchy with Diamond Stylz

Liam and Peterson welcome Diamond Stylz to the podcast. She unpacks and repackages the Book of Ruth, while she relentlessly highlights the patriarchy that fuels the narrative. 

Man with a Pitcher of Water–Luke 22:10

Peterson shares the story of "the man with the pitcher of water," who appears in Luke 22:10 (also Mark 14:13 Matthew 26:18, 19 "a certain man.") This is someone who breaks gender and class rules. We do not know all the reasons, but somehow Jesus knew to look out for this gender transgressor and gender transcendent person. 

While the passage is short, and we never learn the person's name, this moment serves as an essential incident in what is known as Passion Week for some Christians. This person leads the disciples to the place where the Last Supper occurs, which is commemorated during Holy Communion today. 

Peterson references Mx. Chris Paige and their book, Otherwise Christian, A Guidebook for Transgender Liberation. You will also hear about Liam's soon to be released book, trans-forming proclamation: A Transgender Theology of Daring and Existence. 

Liam joins in for a lively discussion about cisgender gays and lesbians who latch onto then later renounce gender differences in their own life, confusing and conflating gender and orientation. 

Liam then shares the "Other Text," and reads from Angela Davis' collections of essays and speeches, Freedom Is a Constant Struggle: Ferguson, Palestine, and the Foundations of a Movement. 

In each episode of Bible Bash Podcast, Liam, a trans queerish man, and co-host, cis gay Bible scholar, Peterson Toscano, take turns presenting the text. They then discuss. In addition, each episode they present an other text, a non-Biblical text of note--religious or secular--that may or may not correspond to the Bible text. 

Bible Bash Podcast is a project of Ministries Beyond Welcome. 

Our theme song is Playbill by The Jellyrox. It is available on iTunes, Spotify, or through Rock Candy Recordings

To share your questions, comments, requests for passages to be discussed, or suggestions for guests who can talk about texts, email Liam and Peterson: ministriesbeyondwelcome@gmail.com

Bible Bash Podcast is part of the Rock Candy NetworkBible Bash logo was designed by Diana Coe at Crone Communications

Check out other Rock Candy podcasts

• Stephen Long's Sacred Tension
• Brown Suga Diaries hosted by a plus sized, busy brown girl, a doula, an OBGYN in training, the founder of a nonprofit, a podcaster, do mover, a shaker, a do-er and a thinker.
• Peterson Toscano's Bubble&Squeak
• EleventyLife hosted by Matt Langston of the Band EleventySeven
• Common Creatives with a composer/musician and a doctor of comic book

Ancient Gay Lovers–Luke 7

Liam Hooper takes on the "gayest" passage in the Christian Bible, the story of the Roman Centurion and the healing of his personal servant. Does this text condone gay sex? Gay relationships? Slavery?

Liam deepens the significance of the passage by connecting it to the narrative that comes immediately afterwards: Jesus raising a widow's only son from the dead. 

See Luke 7:1-17

Peterson joins in the discussion as they look at queer readings of ancient texts, privilege, white supremacy, and the central role relationships have in the texts they are discussing. 

For the "Other Text" Peterson reads an excerpt from Mary Renault's novel, The Persian Boy. Alexander the Great and his lover, a eunuch from Persia, travel back to the eunuch's homeland. Together they share an intimate moment. 

In each episode of Bible Bash Podcast, Liam, a trans queerish man, and co-host, cis gay Bible scholar, Peterson Toscano, take turns presenting the text. They then discuss. In addition, each episode they present an other text, a non-Biblical text of note--religious or secular--that may or may not correspond to the Bible text. 

Bible Bash Podcast is a project of Ministries Beyond Welcome. 

Our theme song is Playbill by The Jellyrox. It is available on iTunes, Spotify, or through Rock Candy Recordings

To share your questions, comments, requests for passages to be discussed, or suggestions for guests who can talk about texts, email Liam and Peterson: ministriesbeyondwelcome@gmail.com

Bible Bash Podcast is part of the Rock Candy Network

Bible Bash logo was designed by Diana Coe at Crone Communications

Check out other Rock Candy podcasts

• Stephen Long's Sacred Tension
• Brown Suga Diaries hosted by a plus sized, busy brown girl, a doula, an OBGYN in training, the founder of a nonprofit, a podcaster, do mover, a shaker, a do-er and a thinker.
• Peterson Toscano's Bubble&Squeak
• EleventyLife hosted by Matt Langston of the Band EleventySeven
• Common Creatives with a composer/musician and a doctor of comic book

Demons, Pigs, and Privilege–Mark 5

Peterson Toscano recounts the epic story of a "day in the life" of Jesus and the disciples as found in Mark chapter 5. There we see a demon possessed man, a herd of pigs, really pissed off towns people, and very frightened disciples. As an actor, Peterson is curious about the backstory of "the man who dwelt amongst the tombs." What brought him to this place in his life? What trauma did he experience that he feels safe among the dead while avoiding family and friends?" This raises questions for Liam about the way queer people, particularly trans people are treated by society and family. 

The story continues on the other side of the lake where Jesus and the gang encounters an important man with power and privilege and an outcast person suffering in body and mind. Peterson and Liam talk about the many shifts in the narrative as Jesus refuses to play the game where society defines who deserves attention and who gets overlooked. The woman who has been hemorrhaging for 12 years ultimate finds healing, affirmation, and praise. 

Liam follows up with "another text," a prose poem by Mary Oliver. He reads Thirst.  

In each episode of Bible Bash Podcast, Liam, a trans queerish man, and co-host, cis gay Bible scholar, Peterson Toscano, take turns presenting the text. They then discuss. In addition, each episode they present an other text, a non-Biblical text of note--religious or secular--that may or may not correspond to the Bible text. 

Bible Bash Podcast is a project of Ministries Beyond Welcome. 

Our theme song is Playbill by The Jellyrox. It is available on iTunes, Spotify, or through Rock Candy Recordings

To share your questions, comments, requests for passages to be discussed, or suggestions for guests who can talk about texts, email Liam and Peterson: ministriesbeyondwelcome@gmail.com

Bible Bash Podcast is part of the Rock Candy Network

Bible Bash logo was designed by Diana Coe at Crone Communications

Check out other Rock Candy podcasts

• Stephen Long's Sacred Tension
• Peterson Toscano's Bubble&Squeak
• EleventyLife hosted by Matt Langston of the Band EleventySeven
• Common Creatives with a composer/musician and a doctor of comic book

Seeing Ourselves in a Text with David Chandler–Ruth 1

David Chandler an Australian, joins Liam Hooper and Peterson Toscano to talk about the first chapter of the Book of Ruth. Peterson reads from the new anthology Otherwise Christian 2: Stories of Resistance, edited by Mx Chris Paige. He shares a passage from the essay Womanist by Diamond Stylz.  David also shares the "Other Text," the third saying in the Gospel of Thomas. 

David Chandler is an actor, singer, writer, magician, bibliophile, amateur folklorist and a spoons-player. Last year they completed their Bachelor of Music Theatre at Federation University, Australia. Right now they are in the midst of doing their Honours in Creative Arts. They are focusing on early queer rights activist and theorist, Karl Henrich Ulrichs.

Growing up in the Uniting Church in Australia, they currently find their home with the Quakers. David adores the poems and paintings of Edward Lear. They also love apricot jam on vanilla ice-cream.

Follow David on Twitter: @DavidCChandler and see their Facebook page: David is a Magician. 

In each episode of Bible Bash Podcast, Liam, a trans queerish man, and co-host, cis gay Bible scholar, Peterson Toscano, take turns presenting the text. They then discuss. In addition, each episode they present an other text, a non-Biblical text of note--religious or secular--that may or may not correspond to the Bible text. 

Bible Bash Podcast is a project of Ministries Beyond Welcome. 

Our theme song is Playbill by The Jellyrox. It is available on iTunes, Spotify, or through Rock Candy Recordings

To share your questions, comments, requests for passages to be discussed, or suggestions for guests who can talk about texts, email Liam and Peterson: ministriesbeyondwelcome@gmail.com

Bible Bash Podcast is part of the Rock Candy Network

Bible Bash logo was designed by Diana Coe at Crone Communications

Check out other Rock Candy podcasts

• Stephen Long's Sacred Tension
• Peterson Toscano's Bubble&Squeak
• EleventyLife hosted by Matt Langston of the Band EleventySeven
• Common Creatives with a composer/musician and a doctor of comic book

Marginalized and Hungry. Elijah, a widow and a pinch of flour — I Kings 17

Liam shares his insights about I Kings 17-7-24. Elijah, a prophet with an unpopular message who finds himself destitute during a famine. A widow prepares a last meal for her son before they both die. They survive though as they shelter in place with the prophet. The similarities to what many are experiencing in this time of Coronavirus are striking. 

Peterson shares "an other text" by Doris Lessing from The Sweetest Dream

PLUS both Liam and Peterson reveal the activities they do to keep them sane during a time of isolation. Here is Peterson's Corona Containment Dancer playlist. Feel free to add tracks and definitely feel free to dance along. 

In each episode of Bible Bash Podcast, Liam, a trans queerish man, and co-host, cis gay Bible scholar, Peterson Toscano, take turns presenting the text. They then discuss. In addition, each episode they present an other text, a non-Biblical text of note--religious or secular--that may or may not correspond to the Bible text. 

Bible Bash Podcast is a project of Ministries Beyond Welcome. 

Our theme song is Playbill by The Jellyrox. It is available on iTunes, Spotify, or through Rock Candy Recordings

To share your questions, comments, requests for passages to be discussed, or suggestions for guests who can talk about texts, email Liam and Peterson: ministriesbeyondwelcome@gmail.com

Bible Bash Podcast is part of the Rock Candy Network

Bible Bash logo was designed by Diana Coe at Crone Communications

Check out other Rock Candy podcasts

• Stephen Long's Sacred Tension
• Peterson Toscano's Bubble&Squeak
• EleventyLife hosted by Matt Langston of the Band EleventySeven

Rude and Downright Prophetic — Matthew 3 with Rev. Scott Kershner

While serving as Activist in Residence at Susquehanna University, Peterson Toscano co-preached a sermon with chaplain Rev. Scott Kershner, and then recorded their conversation for Bible Bash podcast. 

Going back and forth they discuss Matthew chapter 3, the story of John the Baptist in the wilderness. John is an outrageous character in the way he dresses, where chooses to do ministry, and in his bold, direct, and highly critical message to the leaders of his day. 

Now John himself had ^[f]a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey. ⁵ Then Jerusalem was going out to him, and all Judea and all the district around the Jordan; ⁶ and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, as they confessed their sins.

⁷ But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? (NASB version from Biblegateway.com)

Peterson sees modern connections in John the Baptist with the work that performance artists and climate activists like Greta Thunberg do. Famously the Swedish teen stood up in front of world leaders at the United Nations and railed against them. 

"This is all wrong. I shouldn't be up here. I should be back in school on the other side of the ocean. Yet you all come to us young people for hope. How dare you!

"You have stolen my dreams and my childhood with your empty words. And yet I'm one of the lucky ones. People are suffering. People are dying. Entire ecosystems are collapsing. We are in the beginning of a mass extinction, and all you can talk about is money and fairy tales of eternal economic growth. How dare you!

Scott and Peterson point out WHO the prophets John and Greta speak to--leaders who have power over many people. They are not simply demanding individual repentance from citizens, they preach directly to leaders in order to change the world to go in a new direction. 

Liam ends the show with "Another Text" and reads from the introduction of Winona LaDuke's book, All Our Relations. From winonaladuke.com

Winona LaDuke is one of the world’s most tireless and charismatic leaders on issues related to climate change, Indigenous rights, human rights, green and rural economies, grass-roots organizing, local foods, alternative sources of energy and the priceless value of clean water over a career spanning nearly 40 years of activism.

In each episode of Bible Bash Podcast, Liam, a trans queerish man, and co-host, cis gay Bible scholar, Peterson Toscano, take turns presenting the text. They then discuss. In addition, each episode they present another text, a non-Biblical text of note--religious or secular--that may or may not correspond to the Bible text. 

Bible Bash Podcast is a project of Ministries Beyond Welcome. 

Our theme song is Playbill by The Jellyrox. It is available on iTunes, Spotify, or through Rock Candy Recordings

To share your questions, comments, requests for passages to be discussed, or suggestions for guests who can talk about texts, email Liam and Peterson: ministriesbeyondwelcome@gmail.com

Bible Bash Podcast is part of the Rock Candy Network

Bible Bash logo was designed by Diana Coe at Crone Communications

Check out other Rock Candy podcasts

• Stephen Long's Sacred Tension
• Peterson Toscano's Bubble&Squeak
• EleventyLife hosted by Matt Langston of the Band EleventySeven

Trickery, Discrimination, and Dinah–Genesis 34

Trigger Warning: This show contains references to sexual assault and extreme violence which comes directly out of Genesis chapter 34. (Who said the Bible is "family-friendly?")

Liam Hooper takes on a difficult text: Genesis 34 which tells the story of Dinah, the daughter of Leah and of Jacob. One day Dinah, a young woman of marrying age, leaves the family compound on the edge of a Hivite settlement to visit the women of the region. According to the writer of the account:

² When Shechem son of Hamor the Hivite, prince of the region, saw her, he seized her and lay with her by force. ³ And his soul was drawn to Dinah daughter of Jacob; he loved the girl, and spoke tenderly to her. ⁴ So Shechem spoke to his father Hamor, saying, “Get me this girl to be my wife.”

This sets off a string of bloody events, intrigue, and depending how you look at it, a heroic or horrific response. 

⁹ Make marriages with us; give your daughters to us, and take our daughters for yourselves. ¹⁰ You shall live with us; and the land shall be open to you; live and trade in it, and get property in it.” ¹¹ Shechem also said to her father and to her brothers, “Let me find favor with you, and whatever you say to me I will give. ¹² Put the marriage present and gift as high as you like, and I will give whatever you ask me; only give me the girl to be my wife.”

¹³ The sons of Jacob answered Shechem and his father Hamor deceitfully, because he had defiled their sister Dinah. ¹⁴ They said to them, “We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one who is uncircumcised, for that would be a disgrace to us. ¹⁵ Only on this condition will we consent to you: that you will become as we are and every male among you be circumcised...²⁵ On the third day, when they were still in pain, two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah’s brothers, took their swords and came against the city unawares, and killed all the males. ²⁶ They killed Hamor and his son Shechem with the sword, and took Dinah out of Shechem’s house, and went away. ²⁷ And the other sons of Jacob came upon the slain, and plundered the city, because their sister had been defiled.

For Liam this passage raises troubling questions. The brothers and the teller of the tale emphatically state Shechem rapes Dinah, but is it possible Dinah gives her consent to Shechem? Are the brothers offended because their sister is "defiled," or because she chose her own lover and husband without their consent? How does class, ethnicity, and tribe play in this display of extreme violence by the aggrieved brothers against every male in the city? What might Dinah have to say about all of this since none of her words or reactions are ever mentioned in the text? And how does this ancient text mirror the race-based terrorism gangs of white men poured out on African-Americans when they accused a Black man of being sexually or romantically inappropriate with a white woman? 

Liam admits he has more questions than answers. Peterson Toscano joins the discussion, adds even more questions, and reveals the confusing feelings he had as a child when he was sexually assaulted. The honest discourse and deep questions invites listeners to contribute their own thoughts, feelings, and insights. 

To share your questions, comments, requests for passages to be discussed, or suggestions for guests who can talk about texts, email Liam and Peterson: ministriesbeyondwelcome@gmail.com

Peterson follows up with "Another Text," The Afternoon Son, a poem by gay poet Constantine or C.P. Cavafy. It was translated by Edmund Keeley and is available to read at The Poetry Foundation. 

In each episode of Bible Bash Podcast, Liam, a trans queerish man, and co-host, cis gay Bible scholar, Peterson Toscano, take turns presenting the text. They then discuss. In addition, each episode they present another text, a non-Biblical text of note--religious or secular--that may or may not correspond to the Bible text. 

Bible Bash Podcast is a project of Ministries Beyond Welcome. 

Our theme song is Playbill by The Jellyrox. It is available on iTunes, Spotify, or through Rock Candy Recordings

To share your questions, comments, requests for passages to be discussed, or suggestions for guests who can talk about texts, email Liam and Peterson: ministriesbeyondwelcome@gmail.com

Bible Bash Podcast is part of the Rock Candy Network

Bible Bash logo was designed by Diana Coe at Crone Communications

Check out other Rock Candy podcasts

• Stephen Long's Sacred Tension
• Peterson Toscano's Bubble&Squeak
• EleventyLife hosted by Matt Langston of the Band EleventySeven

Tie Me Up Delilah — Judges 16

Liam Michael Hooper, a Trans Bible scholar spends a lot of time  in the Hebrew Bible. This inspired co-host Peterson Toscano to explore the story of Samson and Delilah in the book of Judges, chapter 16. Looking at the story with eyes of a playwright and an actor, Peterson points out the intense intimacy and profound love between the Israelite man and the Philistine woman. In a surveillance state, their relationship grows deep through role play and bondage.  

Liam then shares "The Other Text," his poem To Tell You Everything which will appear in the upcoming book Transforming Proclamation published by Otherwise Engaged. 

In each episode of Bible Bash Podcast, Liam, a trans queerish man, and co-host, cis gay Bible scholar, Peterson Toscano, take turns presenting the text. They then discuss. In addition, each episode they present another text, a non-Biblical text of note--religious or secular--that may or may not correspond to the Bible text. 

Bible Bash Podcast is a project of Ministries Beyond Welcome. 

Our theme song is Playbill by The Jellyrox. It is available on iTunes, Spotify, or through Rock Candy Recordings

To share your questions, comments, requests for passages to be discussed, or suggestions for guests who can talk about texts, email Liam and Peterson: ministriesbeyondwelcome@gmail.com

Bible Bash Podcast is part of the Rock Candy Network

Check out other Rock Candy podcasts

• Stephen Long's Sacred Tension
• Peterson Toscano's Bubble&Squeak
• EleventyLife hosted by Matt Langston of the Band EleventySeven

Pitching a Tent — Genesis 38

Have you ever wondered, "Who might be bisexual in the Bible?" Drawing on the scholarship of Rabbi Mark Sameth, author of the New York Times essay, Is God Transgender? Liam Hooper digs into the story of Judah, the son of Jacob, and an encounter he had with another man. 

Then Peterson Toscano shares the other text. He reads the poem Soot by Ana Blandiana from the anthology In the Shape of a Human Body I am Visiting the Earth.

In each episode of Bible Bash Podcast, Peterson, cisgender gay Bible scholar and co-host, Liam Michael Hooper, a trans queerish Bible scholar, take turns presenting the text. They then discuss. In addition, each episode they present another text, a non-Biblical text of note--religious or secular--that may or may not correspond to the Bible text. 

Bible Bash Podcast is a project of Ministries Beyond Welcome. 

Our theme song is Playbill by The Jellyrox. It is available on iTunes, Spotify, or through Rock Candy Recordings

To share your questions, comments, requests for passages to be discussed, or suggestions for guests who can talk about texts, email Liam & Peterson:  ministriesbeyondwelcome@gmail.com

Bible Bash Podcast is part of the Rock Candy Network 

Bible Bash logo was designed by Diana Coe at Crone Communications

Check out other Rock Candy podcasts

• Sacred Tension by Stephen Long
• Bubble&Squeak by Peterson Toscano
• Eleventylife by EleventySeven