What does the Bible say about being Transgender

What does the Bible say about being Transgender? “Is it acceptable to change your gender? ” “How do you answer transgender people? ”

God Created… • • Sexual desire, function & fulfillment, Gen. 2: 18, 25; Heb. 13: 4; 1 Cor. 7: 3 -4 A new & growing vocabulary… 2

Transgender Vocabulary… • Transgender: “describes a range of people with conflicts or questions about their gender. They include people who are born male but think of themselves as female, or vice versa, or people who are preparing for a sex change operation, or those who have had a sex change. ” 3 (The Register-Guard, Eugene, OR, May

Transgender Vocabulary… • Gender identity: “It was not until 1955 that John Money, Ph. D. first used the term “gender” to discuss sexual roles, adding in 1966 the term “gender identity” while conducting his gender research at Johns Hopkins. In 1974, Dr. N. W. Fisk provided our now familiar diagnosis of Gender Dysphoria. Previously, one’s sexual role was considered one of two discrete, non-overlapping 4

What are “experts” saying about gender? • “My review of current research and experience with gender dysphoric, gay and traditional clients has led me to see gender not as a bimodal male or female dichotomy but as a matrix - a possible mix of male and female development within the same individual. ” -Carl W. Bushong, Ph. D, 5

What the Bible says Gender? • • about So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply… (Gen. 1: 27 -28) And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out 6 of

Acceptance of TG is Growing • • • Recognized as a legitimate diagnosis by medical & psychological communities Government (proposed human rights ordinance in Eugene, OR) Media is sympathetic (AP report of the trial of murder suspects of 17 yr. old Edward “Gwen” Araujo in Hayward, CA) 7

Transgender Behavior is Sin • God created gender, giving male & female unique, vital & distinct identities & roles • Creation of gender, Gen. 1: 27 • Different genders necessary for reproduction, Gen. 1: 28 • God blessed gender differences, Gen. 2: 18 -22 8 • Transgender is against nature, Rom.

Why Transgender is Sin • Consider some effects of TG behavior: • Disregards God-given gender distinctions, cf. Deut. 22: 5; 1 Cor. 11: 14 -15 • Provides for & promotes sin of homosexuality, Lev. 18: 22; 20: 13 • Lack of self-control & contentment; lustful, self-defined choices, Rom. 1: 24 9

Defenses to Justify TG Behavior • “People are born that way. ” • If so, then God is responsible, Eccl. 11: 5; Zech. 12: 1 • This line of thinking removes personal responsibility for the choices being made (Eccl. 7: 29; Jas. 1: 13 -16) 10

Defenses to Justify TG Behavior • “God looks at the heart (1 Sam. 16: 7). ” • Say they are really a man (or woman) on the inside • 1 Sam. 16: 7: God sees one’s character, motives & will (not discussing gender) • God forms the person & knows 11

Defenses to Justify TG Behavior • “We are just accommodating what we already are on the inside. ” • No, TG behavior accommodates choices made on the inside (in one’s heart), Prov. 23: 7; 3: 1 -8 • “If God made you a particular sex, shouldn’t you stay with that, no matter how you feel on the inside? ” -YES • Repentance, Eph. 4: 17 -24 (Ezek. 18: 31 12 -32)

Summary & Contrast BIBLE • Gender created & assigned at birth Gen. 1: 27; 1 Cor. 11: 12 TRANSGENDE R • Gender distinctions are fluid (a matrix) Rom. 1: 20 -22 13

Summary & Contrast BIBLE • Gender identity from birth Gen. 4: 1 (“male”) TRANSGENDE R • Gender is selfdefined: feelings, emotion, desires, 14

Summary & Contrast BIBLE • God knows gender before birth Psa. 139: 1316 TRANSGENDE R • “God made me this way…I can’t help it, it’s who I am!” 15

Summary & Contrast BIBLE • Gender differences are honored and maintained Deut. 22: 5; 1 Cor. 11: 14 TRANSGENDE R • Gender is selfdefined; Self is honored Rom. 1: 25, 28; 2 Tim. 3: 2, 4 16

Summary & Contrast BIBLE • TRANSGENDE R Gender roles are defined by God & to be regarded by all 1 Cor. 11: 3 • Gender roles defined by self & society (the fruit of humanism & 17

Summary & Contrast BIBLE • Can change the heart and live a holy life 1 Pet. 4: 1 -3; 1: 13 -16 TRANSGENDE R • There is no sin; people should satisfy themselves 1 Cor. 6: 13, 1518

God Created Male & Female • • Temptations to sin are not insurmountable We choose our character & conduct – the person we will be (Jas. 4: 7 -10) • We must uphold the honor & distinction of male & female; not pervert it by the lusts, longings & 19