"Subversive" How? 3 of 3 posts

"When you say that your Visions are Subversive, what does that mean?"

There are three facets to my Subversive Visions. In the first, subversion means removing the mistaken assumptions between my two communities, the Queer Community and theologically-Evangelical Christianity. In the second, subversion looks at the message of scripture beneath (sub-) scripture verses that many lift out of context (usually to support patently unbiblical beliefs). The third focus of these Subversive Visions is to tear down not just the hindrances between us, or the habits of bad Bible study, but to redirect our philosophical/theological/spiritual thinking.

Most imagine that questions should lead to answers, and little more. So our minimal dialogue only defines, defends, or demeans others and their doctrines—the “statements of faith” that many imagine to be the purpose of spiritual contemplation.

But instead of doctrine (which I love to examine, disassemble, and reconfigure), the purpose of scriptural and spiritual dialogue points us toward relationship—involving more and more dialogue (with God Themself, and with one another, too).

When so many of us invest so heavily in trying to find “The Answers” (and I do the same thing), we divide ourselves into warring camps, lobbing “truth bombs” over the borders, destroying potential relationships from which we could benefit instead. So, I want to subvert our conclusions, even my own. Not only do my “answers” stand in the way of building relationships, they also stand in the way of learning more and more in the patterns and processes of scripture.

Pursuing spiritual dialogue to build warmer relationships, not frozen doctrine: sadly, that passes for being subversive these days.

Please, do send along your questions and comments.

About the images: Paige is the second-newest model we’ve shot in recent years. There are a number of obstacles, preconceptions, and stereotypes you may have about her. I would gladly subvert them in being Christ-positive and sex-positive, but especially body-positive. I hope these beautiful images of an amazing model (complete with her power-lifting bruises) help to make that happen.

Enjoy the day!