WARNING: This post contains citations of both coarse language and blasphemy.
Pulpit & Pen wrote about SBC trained-and-ordained minister, Jeff Hood, in June of 2014. In that post, we explained that the Southern Seminary graduate spoke at a pro-gay event and delivered the message, “Embracing the Power of Queer.” In fact, in that message, he called God “queer.” He’s now affirming polyamory, and using his SBC credentials to do so.
Hood is a graduate of Southern Seminary, Auburn University, Emory University, the University of Alabama, Creighton University (that’s a lot of learnin’) and is currently pursuing a ‘Doctorate of Ministry in Practical Theology with an emphasis in Queer Theology’ from Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University. Hood’s bio says that his “ordination is held by the Southern Baptist Convention.” A word to the wise, the SBC does not “hold ordinations” as other denominations do, and most likely means that he was ordained in a Southern Baptist Church (which should openly rebuke him along with his ordination council).
Hood has written three books, including The Queer: An Interaction with The Gospel of John, The Queering of an American Evangelical and The Sociopathic Jesus. Although married to a woman, Hood describes himself as “a southerner, queer, and Christian.”
At the aptly-named site, Hippie Heretic, Jeff Hood explains his approval of polyamory (the practice of engaging in multiple sexual relationships, with the full knowledge and approval of all partners engaged; think of it as an approved “love triangle”).
Looking around, I saw a great cloud of polyamorous witnesses shouting, “Holy! Holy! Holy, is the polyamorous love of God!”
Hood was asked, “From your Southern Baptist background, I’m sure you haven’t always affirmed polyamory. Could you share how your views have shifted on this matter? What led to your change of mind?
Hood responded, “The old wooden doors were intimidating. Pushing hard, I got one of them open. Since everything had already started, I sat on the back pew. I heard a message of love that pulled at me stronger than anything I’d ever felt. Before I knew it, I was out in the aisle. Along the way, I heard the voices of the polyamorous repeatedly whispering, “Why are you persecuting us?” Unable to contain myself, I shouted out, “Forgive me!” At that moment, I collapsed. Before I perished, I felt the pull. Divine polyamory found me a sinner and lifted me up by grace. The Holy Trinity ushered me to love. Looking around, I saw a great cloud of polyamorous witnesses shouting, “Holy! Holy! Holy, is the polyamorous love of God!” The waters of a wild grace washed away all my sin; I was forever changed. In the midst of a great resistance, polyamory saved my soul [emphasis ours].
When asked to explain further, Hood explained that he found a defense for polyamory in the type of love God has for people.
“There is no more intimate love than the love we share with God. In the beginning, God created us in God’s image…we exist to share intimacy with God. The relationship encompasses all types of intimacy. The fact that God seeks such passionate intimacy with all of us…certainly makes God a lover of more than one person at the same time. I have often pondered that polyamorous individuals might be more like God than all the rest us…because they are living out the wildly multidirectional intimacy of God.”
What Hood is describing is the heresy of theoerosism, which confuses the love of God for something erotic, sexual, sensual, or romantic. He goes on to say “The Holy Spirit is in a polyamorous relationship.”
When asked how people have responded to his promotion of polyamory, Hood responded, “The only people who have responded negatively are church assholes that have no knowledge of God. Let me tell you though…there have been some nasty ones. People have stalked me. People have called me a heretic. People have called me disgusting. People have threatened my life. I could go on and on. Do these people sound like they know anything about love? Hell no. I ain’t listening to a damn word they say. I know who I’m listening to. I hear the voice of God, ‘I am the way, the truth and the life…no one can can love me and condemn polyamory…for I am polyamorous.”
Until the SBC churches and institutions that have ordained or trained Hood officially and publicly disfellowship from him, there is no reason he cannot continue to call himself a Southern Baptist and flaunt his SBC credentials to continue doing the work of Satan.
