The Bible is clear in its understanding of men and woman concerning the issue of transgenderism. It lays out a clear picture of the moral or ethical issues associated with the phenomenon of transgenderism. It provides that one is either a man or a woman and that the phenomenon of gender dysphoria is a result of a man falling short of the glory of God. Therefore, the suffering experienced by man as a result of such a fall causes many individuals to carry out bodily changes. However, the Bible is against the notion of transgender transition and encourages man to be morally upright and engage in the complete transformation to overcome such feelings and inclinations.
The transgender phenomenon is an issue that has exploded in the Western world. However, the Bible does not touch on the issue of transgenderism and transition explicitly. But this does not mean that it does not provide any guidance on the issue of transition to Christianity. It does so by talking a lot about how a man should understand the issue of sexual identity and gender. Therefore, Christians should have a better understanding of people who feel that their assigned biological sex contradicts their psychological identity as male or female (DeYoung). The Bible says that God created us as either man or female irrespective of our confusion or feelings and that we ought to act biologically as designed by God. To this extent, transgenderism does not represent God’s plan for man.
It is a fact that the Bible does not recognize any other gender apart from a man and a woman. Intersex anomalies should, therefore, be regarded as phenomena that do not undermine God’s creation but rather those that represent a fallen world. The Bible gives us the example of eunuchs, who are not sexless, but beings that were castrated and could not procreate. The complete transformation of the self is the only way that can overcome issues to do with transgenderism. It is only through a transformation that they can recover their gender identity. One can only be male or female and the confusing feelings of gender identity can only be resolved by total transformation.
Some people might agree that God created man and woman but feel that there is confusion between gender and biological sex. Some transgender Christians believe that God created them to be who they are and not according to the sex assigned to them. They embrace gender identity and feel that they can only live their true self if they express themselves as the opposite sex. However, it is not a matter of how they feel but rather if their emotional or mental state is equal to the one that God purposed to design. Therefore, it means that one has to renew their mind and transform themselves to overcome feelings of transiting. It is wrong to think that one is being their true self if it means going against the word of God. The Bible provides that there is an organic unity of gender identity and biological sex. That is the reason why a man and a woman can reproduce and also why the act of homosexuality is wrong. It is a partnership that deviates from the natural relations of man and woman in sexual intercourse.
The binary of male and female is a binary that is designed by God that helps man to embrace his creational difference from the woman. It follows then that the confusion that results from it does not please God. Men are not supposed to act as sexually as women or dress like them. It is unnatural when people behave in a manner that is not typical of their gender identity. We do not have the absolute right to do whatever we want with our bodies because we belong to God and are part of His creation.
The “born that way” proponents argue that an individual’s gender identity is not a matter of choice but has to do with genetics. his statement is the mainstay of the born that way assertion (Jackman). However, these arguments are not convincing due to several reasons that include scientific data. The claim that gender identity is innate is problematic since it is unprovable. Gender identity is something that develops over time from childhood to adulthood. An infant does not have any identity because it has not fully developed its cognitive capabilities. Therefore, the concept of gender identity is only possible with cognitive development.
Gender is also not genetically determined as proposed by the “born that way” argument. An individual’s sense of belonging to a particular gender irrespective of gender assigned during birth is something that cannot be proved due to limited biological data that support the claim. Gender expression and identity are complex that incorporate many notions of the self, coupled with a wide range of feelings, thoughts, and behaviors. Available scientific evidence does not support the idea that gender identity is a product of a single gene or a specific number of Y and X chromosomes (Powell et al.). It results from several interactions that include the environment, genes, gender expression, and personal feelings, among others.
Another argument fronted by the “born that way” proponents portray gender identity as being immutable. This argument is not strong because the potential for something to change is not dependent on its presence at birth. It is a fact that even genetic factors can change over time. For instance, the texture and color of hair are genetically determined but its presence at birth is not certain. It can also change its texture and color over time including one becoming bald. These arguments try to denounce the notion of immutability and the presence of some traits at birth.
In conclusion, gender dysphoria should be regarded as problematic because it goes against God’s design of being either a man or a woman. The Bible provides that sexes are binary and that any other anomaly is a result of a man falling short of the glory of God. Gender identity and biological sex work together in unity and the separation of the two goes against God’s design. However, the “born that way” arguments have come with assertions that support transgenderism. They claim that gender identity is genetically determined and that it is immutable, innate, and not associated with an individual’s choice. These claims are weak because there is no scientific evidence available that can prove these assertions. Moreover, the attributes associated with gender identities such as immutability and innateness are not correct because it is something that has been developed over time and requires some form of cognitive development.
Works Cited
DeYoung Kevin. What Does the Bible Say About Transgenderism? The Gospel Coalition. 2016. What Does the Bible Say About Transgenderism? (thegospelcoalition.org)
Jackman Josh. Transgender people are born that way, a new study has found. Pink News. 2018. Transgender people are born that way, a new study has found (pinknews.co.uk)
Powell Tia, Shapiro Sofia, & Stein Ed. Transgender Rights as Human Rights. AMA Journal of Ethics. 2016. Transgender Rights as Human Rights | Journal of Ethics | American Medical Association (ama-assn.org)