Starting 2014, I've been doing less posting on this blog,
and more on Facebook, i.e.:Our Rock (as Jesus’ Assembly): Everyday Modern Mystic Christian-ish Convos GROUP
Soul Dancing with the Divine: Everyday Modern Mystics w/ Rev Wendy Wolf PAGE
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I was reading Manuel Silva-Esterrich's Facebook post, from December 30, 2025
Which begins:(I’ll distinguish between explicit text, historical roles, and interpretive tradition, so you can see what is solid vs. theological reading.)
Key texts: Isaiah 56:3–5; Matthew 19:12; Acts 8:26–39
Eunuchs were explicitly recognized in Scripture as people who did not fit binary reproductive or gender roles.
Jesus names eunuchs as:
“born that way”
“made that way by others”
“choosing that way for the kingdom”
Isaiah prophesies their full inclusion, dignity, and spiritual legacy.
The Ethiopian eunuch in Acts is the first non-Jewish convert baptized—without being “fixed” or excluded.
This is the clearest biblical category of acknowledged gender nonconformity.
Described wearing a kĕtōnet passîm (often translated “coat of many colors”), a garment elsewhere associated with royal or feminine attire.
His brothers mock and reject him; he is punished for his difference.
Joseph weeps openly, interprets dreams, and embodies non-hegemonic masculinity.
Rabbinic tradition often notes Joseph’s androgynous beauty.
A woman acting as judge, prophet, military authority, and national leader—roles culturally coded male.
Barak refuses to fight without her, reversing expected gender hierarchy.
Deborah’s authority is never questioned by the text; it is normative and celebrated.
Performs a violent military victory using domestic tools (tent peg, hammer).
Combines traditionally “feminine” space with decisive martial action.
Praised as “most blessed of women”—despite violating gender expectations.
Forms an intensely emotional bond with Jonathan:
“Your love to me was wonderful, surpassing the love of women.” (2 Sam 1:26)
Publicly weeps, composes poetry, dances nearly naked before God.
David’s masculinity is expressive, vulnerable, artistic, not stoic or militarized.
Initiates a covenant with David involving gift-exchange of royal garments and weapons.
Displays loyalty and emotional intimacy that exceeds conventional warrior masculinity.
Leaves natal family structure to covenant with Naomi in language usually reserved for God or kings.
Takes initiative in courtship and survival strategy—gender-role subversive behavior.
Ancestor of David, anchoring nonconforming loyalty within sacred lineage.
Forbidden to marry or form normative household structures (Jer 16).
Weeps publicly, laments intensely, and resists masculine ideals of strength and dominance.
Often mocked as weak or emotional—yet chosen as God’s voice.
Rejects marriage, patriarchy, and inheritance norms.
Centers eunuchs, children, women, and outcasts.
Uses maternal imagery for God and himself (“like a mother hen”).
Crucifixion itself represents the ultimate inversion of imperial masculinity.
Early Christians were often accused of being socially and gender-deviant for following him.
Key text: Galatians 3:28
“There is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ.”
Paul re-frames identity beyond gender hierarchy within spiritual reality.
Though later texts attributed to Paul re-impose order, this verse remains radically expansive.
The Bible does not use modern categories like “transgender” or “nonbinary.”
However, it repeatedly affirms people who do not conform to dominant gender, sexual, reproductive, or social norms.
Exclusionary readings are later theological constructions, not the trajectory of the text itself.
The biblical arc moves from exclusion → recognition → blessing → inclusion.
"
In my country, I know folks who are really torn
between wanting to see our country go a certain way
AND
not sure how-to (or if they even should) stay in respectful relationship
with those with whom they disagree.
How do you relate?
I gathered some of my thoughts about that today, from my POV:
The Way of Jesus: LOVING Our 'Enemies'
Jesus didn’t say this from a safe, idyllic place of comfort.
He said it while living in a time of great political, religious, and social tension
—where powerful forces actively worked against him, undermining his ministry,
and eventually collaborating to have him tortured and executed.
His call to love our enemies wasn’t abstract or idealistic.
It was spoken in the face of real oppression, betrayal, and violence.
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The FRAME in the time of Jesus: Life Under Empire
Jesus and his people lived under Roman occupation
—a foreign empire that controlled their land, economy, and government.
Some complied with Rome, others resisted, and most simply tried to survive.
Within this reality, Jesus played a deeply layered game
—neither active rebellion nor passive submission.
Instead of taking up arms against Rome
or aligning with political or religious factions,
he chose another way:
Acting, not reacting to outward control;
Calling us into a higher way of being and behaving.
Jesus was not just end-running the political game, but also the religious one.
He spoke truth boldly, but refused to fight on their (usual) terms.
Jesus Playing His Own GAME, Rather Than Being Played by Theirs
Jesus did not feed the energy by fighting empire directly—but neither did he comply.
He did not:
Instead, Jesus offered a completely different game—one where:
Jesus wasn’t trapped in the political struggle of 'us vs. them', he TRANSCENDED it
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Jesus HOLDING the Opposites in his Heart & in his Closest Community
Jesus’ own disciples represented both extremes of his time:
Two men from opposite sides of the political spectrum, yet both invited to walk with Jesus.
Why?
Because Jesus did not define people by their political roles.
He saw them from a spiritual perspective—not as oppressors or freedom fighters, but as souls.
Jesus did not let the politics or the religion of his time define him, his relationships, his love, his ministry
- the opportunity to live in his unique Dance with the Divine, as he did - so beautifully, gracefully, practically...
Jesus Showing Us HOW to Live FOR, Not AGAINST — From a Higher Perspective
Jesus lived in a time of political division, oppression of many kinds, and under the heel of empire.
—far more intense than we do today (in much of our world)
Yet he never let the struggle for or against the powers (of anything but the Divine) determine his mission.
• He did speak out against injustice—challenging corrupt religious leaders and questioning worldly authority.
• But he also refused to be consumed by the “us vs. them” mindset.
• Instead of choosing sides, he chose to walk IN Spirit.
Why?
Because he saw beyond the surface of power struggles.
His every word and action was not dictated by worldly resistance, or even religious structures—
but rather by what he saw the Father doing and what he heard the Father saying.
(As John’s Gospel says in different way, seven times)
His path was not determined by whether someone was resisting, complying, or just getting by.
He moved in step with a greater reality—one that was always present but rarely perceived.
This is the Way he invited his followers into—not ignoring social & political realities, but refusing to be ruled by them.
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Living The WAY of Jesus - then & now
Many of Jesus Followers Changed how they Lived & Loved in this world.
After his death, some of his followers lived as family,
sharing their lives, resources, and connection across dividing lines.
Some Turned, practicing embodying the Presence of God on earth,
not by conquering, but by transforming
—from within their own heart & soul, and from there, into their life & world.
Today, we live in a time of political, social, religious tension and division
- in the USA, and other parts of the world, as well.
Like Jesus’ time, people are pressured to choose sides: resist, or comply.
But what if we played a different game?
This is the game I mean to play,
relative to the challenge of walking with Jesus, in my country, today.
How about you?
imoe, ymmv
: ) w
FYI - I found it interesting that this is what AI said when I asked about:
Love Your Enemies, Do Good to Those Who Hate You:
"
"Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you" is a phrase from the Bible,
specifically Luke 6:27, which instructs people to actively show kindness and compassion even towards those who oppose them;
essentially, responding to hatred with love and good deeds.
Key points about this teaching:
Radical act of love:
This concept goes against the typical notion of retaliation and encourages a higher moral standard by actively seeking the well-being of one's enemies.
Example of Jesus:
Jesus himself exemplified this teaching by forgiving those who crucified him.
Challenge to overcome evil with good:
By performing acts of kindness towards those who have wronged you, you can potentially change their hearts and promote peace.
"
(this is written for Women, please read it from who you are ; )
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I read a message this morning and it made me think about all the critical labels that we put upon ourselves because we hear them from others, and then we carry them, believing that they are a part of us. But I know this is wrong, this is not truth, and I wanted to share this story with you that I wrote while I was thinking about this today.
