God made two kinds of humans: male and female.
He made Adam and from a part of him, a counterpart; two unique humans created with a particular biological design for one another and for the glory of god.
He made them biologically unique and said “very good.”
Understood Biblically and applied correctly, masculinity corresponding with the male creature (like a testosterone-driven impulse to physically fight or sacrifice oneself for the safety of another) and femininity corresponding with the female creature (like an estrogen-driven desire to create and nurture a family) are both good for the mental state of an individual and for the good of a society.
A man pursuing femininity at the expense of masculinity is wrong and unhealthy. Likewise, a woman pursuing masculinity at the expense of femininity is wrong and unhealthy.
Likes and dislikes may differ within each biological sex, but a persons physiological makeup is determined by ones biological makeup. Ever-changing internal feelings about oneself (especially vulnerable during adolescence and puberty) should be guided by ones external body.
Trying to internally change in the mind what God has externally arranged by design doesn’t work.
Quite a bit of research tells us the rise in recent attempts of gender re-identification has led to an increase in mental instability and physical harm in individuals struggling in their gender,
5 TRUTHS ABOUT THE CURRENT CULTURAL RISE IN GENDER RE-IDENTIFICATION
Let’s look at five points of important research about the rise in gender re-identification.
Point 1: Gender re-identification is a novel trend.
Abigail Shrier, in her book Irreversible Damage, reports that in 2018, the UK had a 4,400 percent rise over the previous decade in teenage girls seeking gender treatments.
In fact, Shrier states that just a few years ago “gender dysphoria” (a severe discomfort in one’s biological sex) was typically found in less than 0.01 percent of the population – and most often found in adolescent boys. But today, whole groups of friends are re-identifying themselves together without any medical consultation or diagnosis.
Point 2: Most gender discomfort ends by the end of puberty.
A peer reviewed study entitled, “Gender dysphoria in adolescence: current perspectives,” published by The National Library of Medicine in 2018 stated: “Evidence from the 10 available prospective follow-up studies from childhood to adolescence indicates that for ~80% of children who meet the criteria for childhood gender dysphoria, the gender dysphoria recedes with puberty.
Point 3: The early medical protocol of aiding gender transition is being reconsidered.
Following the UK, The American Medical Association, the American College of Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Psychological Association, and the Pediatric Endocrine Society all endorsed “gender-affirming care” as the standard for treating patients who self-identify as “transgender” or self-diagnose as “gender dysphoric.”
However, in recent news, the UK is limiting its gender-affirming care, restricting the prescription of puberty blockers for minors due to a lack of evidence about their “long-term effects, including sexual, cognitive or broader developmental outcomes (National Health Service England).”
Point 4: Attempts at gender re-identification has led to more problems on average, not less.
According to Shrier’s study, fewer than 13% of parents believe that their adolescents mental health had improved after transgender re-identification… and 47% reported that their mental health had worsened after re-identification.
Moreover, a study in Sweden “to estimate mortality, morbidity, and criminal rate after surgical sex reassignment of transsexual persons” in The National Library of Medicine concluded that “persons with transsexualism, after sex reassignment, have considerably higher risks for mortality, suicidal behavior, and psychiatric morbidity than the general population.”
Point 5: The pharmaceutical and surgical end of re-identification is dangerous.
Lupron, the medicine that has been notably prescribed to minors to block the biological process of puberty has not been approved for such use by the FDA, has been used to chemically castrate sex offenders, and is linked to all kinds of side effects including, “fertility problems, thinning of bones, cracked teeth, degenerative spinal disks, radical mood swings, seizures, and suicidal thoughts” according to a Wall Street Journal article by Gerald Posner.
Dr. Marci Bowers, who according to her website has performed over 2,000 vaginoplasties for transgender women, insists that gender affirmation procedures, including full castration, are “completely normal”—even if they end up being “a bit of a Faustian bargain,’ in that ”they’re not always perfect.’”
So what do we do? Let’s start with what is true.
FOUR TRUTHS CHRISTIANS SHOULD BELIEVE
Here are four simple truths of Scripture that should guide our understanding of gender:
- God created two kinds of people, biologically unique from one another, for one another.
- God defines and designates a persons gender.
- God has given particular roles, responsibilities, and restrictions corresponding to a persons gender.
- Scientific study and statistical analysis have only proven the validity and goodness of the Biblical ethic.
So, what do we do?
SHOULD WE REFER TO SOMEONE CONTRARY TO THEIR GOD-ORDAINED GENDER?
By conviction we cannot resort to subtly affirming such a lie by using preferred pronouns, perpetuating a problem that will be more mentally, physically, and spiritually harmful than those struggling can fathom.
Transgenderism may be a struggle for some, but its embrace as an identity is a choice to live in denial of God’s general creation order and in defiance of God’s specific creation of oneself.
If defiance against God’s order and design is sin, which it is, and if living in sin is deserving of God’s punishment, which it is, and if punishment is eternal agony outside the loving presence of God, which it is, then those struggling in transgenderism do not need a likable hand to hold, they need a loving hand to help.
Christians must be salt and light in this current cultural craze by sharing the goodness of the Biblical ethic and the redeeming grace of the gospel with care and compassion.
Therefore, Christians should not use a persons preferred pronoun.
LETS GET PRACTICAL: HOW DO YOU RESPOND IF A COWORKER, FRIEND, OR FAMILY MEMBER ASKS YOU TO USE A PREFERRED PRONOUN?
So, lets get practical, what should you do if someone asks you to use a pronoun different from their biological gender?
Here’s what I would recommend.
You talk to them with kindness like they are created in the image of the God you serve because they are. You respond with an explanation for why you (if you are convinced of this position) cannot use the pronoun they ask you to use even if it makes them feel a certain way.
I’d encourage you to promise to never joke or make fun of them for their choices and verbally invite them to let you know if there is any way that you are less than loving in your relationship with them.
There are two ways you can change a persons life and perspective of Christ.
- The first is to be honest with them in a way that no one else may be willing to for fear of being cancelled or ridiculed by the inclusive mob. Remember, while you don’t join this inclusive group in their public pleasantries, you also don’t join them should they mock in private conversation. You have one face, not two, and have committed yourself to not making light of or fun out of the matter.
- The second is to love them more than anyone else. Do not let them question your love. Invite them into your group even if you’re ostracized from theirs. Show radical hospitality. You don’t have to agree or affirm to welcome. Don’t try to avoid them. You can be (and will be) confusing to many if you’re to be like Christ.
Most of all, pray they might be transformed to embrace truth and enjoy Christ by seeing Him in your love and in your life.
