This story of the Ethiopian eunuch is a blazing beacon in a church too often dimmed by exclusion and fear. God’s radical inclusion does not come with footnotes or secret fine print. It is a full-throated invitation to all of us especially those the world and religion have tried to erase or silence.
The eunuch’s journey shows us what real faith looks like: relentless seeking despite rejection, a hunger for belonging even when the temple doors slam shut. And then God sends Philip not with a checklist of conditions but with open arms and a clear message: baptism and belonging are for everyone.
If Jesus made room for those the establishment shunned then anyone preaching otherwise is preaching a lie dressed in piety.
LGBTQ+ folks have been following Jesus’ way for two thousand years often alone often under attack. The church loses more than it gains when it turns away the very people Jesus embraced.
Inclusion is not optional. It is the gospel’s heart and soul.
It has been a journey throughout my life that when I first encounter a new concept or unfamiliar group of people, I have initially pulled back in defense of ideas I have previously followed. As my life has unfolded, I have met and been in relationships with many people who have expanded my vision and my heart. Segregation keeps us separated from people so that we can hate or “other “ people while justifying that by labeling them as evil, or criminals, or morally deficient.
But God calls us into community. God created us to expand and grow. My greatest challenge today is loving and including people who still back a man who hates and excludes anyone who doesn't worship him. I am working on this. Zach, any advice you have is welcome.
Gosh that is such a great question. This is often called "the paradox of tolerance." It's the idea that if we tolerate intolerance in the same of "inclusion" we are actually promoting intolerance. I like to use the phrase, "everyone is welcome, but not anything goes." Basically it means everyone has a seat, but they can't use that seat to exclude or harm others.
I love your addition of not anything goes! I am trying to hold the paradox while not becoming what I hate. The old comment of love the sinner but not the sin seems outdated and somehow judgmental.
One of the most beautiful, liberating, and life-giving things I've read in a very long time. As the mother of a queer daughter, I am so very grateful for followers of Jesus like you, Zach, who love and include instead of hate and exclude. May more believers do the same, and may people who need to read these words and have them change their hearts do so!
We often like to read the scriptures through the lens of the church rather than through personal studying. That empowers leaders to control us and our walks with Jesus. It often results in a limited view of God’s grace and the inclusiveness Jesus’s teachings and exampling personifies.
What you say is interesting and I'm totally with you on loving and accepting all in the service of Jesus. However, what is your historical evidence that the term Eunuch was applied to transgender people in Jesus' day. You can't just assert things without supporting evidence.
Hey Andrew! Similar to the modern term “transgender” the term "eunuch" is not monolithic in Scripture. As I outlined in the article, the passages in which the term is used (especially the words of Jesus), demonstrate that “eunuch” is more of an umbrella term for people who didn’t fit into the gender binary. In addition to the biblical texts, I also great benefitted from the book Sex Difference in Christian Theology by Megan DeFranza and Bible, Gender, and Sexuality by James Brownson as well as this article and other commentaries like Willie James Jennings on Acts when it comes to eunuch research. Hope all that is helpful!
This story of the Ethiopian eunuch is a blazing beacon in a church too often dimmed by exclusion and fear. God’s radical inclusion does not come with footnotes or secret fine print. It is a full-throated invitation to all of us especially those the world and religion have tried to erase or silence.
The eunuch’s journey shows us what real faith looks like: relentless seeking despite rejection, a hunger for belonging even when the temple doors slam shut. And then God sends Philip not with a checklist of conditions but with open arms and a clear message: baptism and belonging are for everyone.
If Jesus made room for those the establishment shunned then anyone preaching otherwise is preaching a lie dressed in piety.
LGBTQ+ folks have been following Jesus’ way for two thousand years often alone often under attack. The church loses more than it gains when it turns away the very people Jesus embraced.
Inclusion is not optional. It is the gospel’s heart and soul.
It has been a journey throughout my life that when I first encounter a new concept or unfamiliar group of people, I have initially pulled back in defense of ideas I have previously followed. As my life has unfolded, I have met and been in relationships with many people who have expanded my vision and my heart. Segregation keeps us separated from people so that we can hate or “other “ people while justifying that by labeling them as evil, or criminals, or morally deficient.
But God calls us into community. God created us to expand and grow. My greatest challenge today is loving and including people who still back a man who hates and excludes anyone who doesn't worship him. I am working on this. Zach, any advice you have is welcome.
Gosh that is such a great question. This is often called "the paradox of tolerance." It's the idea that if we tolerate intolerance in the same of "inclusion" we are actually promoting intolerance. I like to use the phrase, "everyone is welcome, but not anything goes." Basically it means everyone has a seat, but they can't use that seat to exclude or harm others.
I love your addition of not anything goes! I am trying to hold the paradox while not becoming what I hate. The old comment of love the sinner but not the sin seems outdated and somehow judgmental.
One of the most beautiful, liberating, and life-giving things I've read in a very long time. As the mother of a queer daughter, I am so very grateful for followers of Jesus like you, Zach, who love and include instead of hate and exclude. May more believers do the same, and may people who need to read these words and have them change their hearts do so!
Every word of this is a gem of amazing insight and understanding. Thank you
Thank you for this clarity and compassion. Amen. ❤️
Thank you for breaking this down so succinctly.
We often like to read the scriptures through the lens of the church rather than through personal studying. That empowers leaders to control us and our walks with Jesus. It often results in a limited view of God’s grace and the inclusiveness Jesus’s teachings and exampling personifies.
Liberating!! Thank you Zack!
Beautifully put.
What you say is interesting and I'm totally with you on loving and accepting all in the service of Jesus. However, what is your historical evidence that the term Eunuch was applied to transgender people in Jesus' day. You can't just assert things without supporting evidence.
Hey Andrew! Similar to the modern term “transgender” the term "eunuch" is not monolithic in Scripture. As I outlined in the article, the passages in which the term is used (especially the words of Jesus), demonstrate that “eunuch” is more of an umbrella term for people who didn’t fit into the gender binary. In addition to the biblical texts, I also great benefitted from the book Sex Difference in Christian Theology by Megan DeFranza and Bible, Gender, and Sexuality by James Brownson as well as this article and other commentaries like Willie James Jennings on Acts when it comes to eunuch research. Hope all that is helpful!
https://www.ajol.info/index.php/actat/article/download/52578/41183