Continuing the Conversation on Gender
The topics of gender, gender dysphoria, and gender choice are relatively new for most people. While the issues have always existed, they have only more recently become widespread conversations that are relevant to every school, business, church, and home. In California, public schools begin to introduce teaching on gender identity as early as kindergarten. This is no longer an isolated, adult, or even teenage subject. For this reason, it is pertinent that every person is well-educated on issues of gender, no matter what your religious affiliation or beliefs. And as with all the difficult topics we’ve addressed in the Graceful Resistance series, Christians must do our diligence in knowing what the Bible teaches, how to navigate conversations and policies, and how to care for people with a Biblical worldview. This is especially important for parents. According to God’s design, parents have the primary responsibility of teaching and guiding their children. Most parents fully intend to do just that, but we are constantly up against the many voices that speak into our children’s’ lives: school curriculum, television, musical artists, the fashion industry, and more. Gender, along with sexuality and pornography, is now one of the conversations where Christian parents must be more proactive rather than reactive. We can’t wait until our children bring questions to us. We must pose the questions to them. And a proactive stance doesn’t just apply to parents. All Jesus followers need to be prepared to have wise and graceful conversations with friends, co-workers, or fellow churchgoers. Rosaria Butterfield says that “what we need first is for our churches to be ready to embrace our friends who are struggling with gender dysphoria. It means that you don’t get to pretend that you’re all cleaned up. It would also be helpful to compile a list of people who speak on the subject and books written on the subject as resources for those who are struggling, but it has to be an ongoing battle. Ultimately, people in the church need to be able to talk about what’s going on in our lives.”
We’ve compiled a list of helpful resources below, but as Rosaria points out, we need to approach this subject with humility. We need to be careful not to elevate a sin in someone else’s life over the sins in our own lives. We have all “fallen short of the glory of God.” Let us educate ourselves and let us pray for wisdom to be a graceful resistance by standing on love and truth.
Blog Posts and Articles
How should we understand transgenderism? What is the relationship between the LGB and T? – Rosia Butterfield
Is it important to talk about struggles with sexual identity in the church? How can we as Christians encourage our brothers and sisters through these struggles? – Rosaria Butterfield
Is my sexuality who I am? – Andrew Bunt
When Harry Became Sally: Review of the new book on transgender – Sean McDowell
Why Is Transgenderism a Problem for Secularism? – Bernard N. Howard
What’s the Deal with the “T” in LGBT? – Chris Pappalardo
What Is the Equality Act? – Matt Slick
Talking to Kids About Gender in a Gender-Confused Age – Todd Wagner
Podcast & Videos
Transgender Ideology – Sean McDowell
God’s Design for Male & Female – Albert Mohler
The Gospel is Big Enough for Our Transgender Neighbors – Russell Moore
What Christians Should Know about Transgenderism – Russell Moore
Is Sexual Identity My Choice? – John Piper
Books
Mama Bear Apologetics Guide to Sexuality – Hillary Morgan Ferrer
