Today’s question: “Some have described Christ as a sort of “fruitful eunuch.” Others have pointed out that he in fact has a bride. While these would be mutually exclusive in a literal sense, does the Bible require us to choose between them when taken as metaphors?”
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Alastair's Adversaria 
Good stuff overall, Alastair. Still (most likely because I’m being overly sensitive about this and not liking you only calling out current identity politics coopting Jesus’s teaching on the eunuch and no other camp for being lopsided), is there something apart from identity politics that is pastoral or ministerial toward people who find themselves (for a variety of complicated reasons) unable to go the route of marriage and family? Can such people look to this, not as a validation of their state in itself, but as an opening to live faithfully in a similar way, invested most fully in the Kindgom as shaped by the Eschaton, and find some comfort in Christ about their calling and lot in life? I mean, that’s the point for application to any of us, right?
Absolutely, but there is a significant but underappreciated difference between recognizing that there is a way to live from a position of singleness and childlessness that is oriented towards and defined by the kingdom and living in a way defined by singleness or some form of sexuality and appealing to Jesus’ teaching to underwrite that. The latter is a sort of identity politics; the former is not.
Now, much as one must first learn one’s movements and place in a dance before you can truly participate in it, people will often have to take time reflecting upon how they fit into the bigger picture. However, the point is for this reflection to retreat into the background and for a sort of self-forgetful actual participation in the dance to take over.
Thanks! I especially love that last bit about the dance. That’s so helpful. 👍
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