Project Description

2017/05

The Truth About Transgender

Sin is always sin, no matter how you describe it or dress it up.

In modern society it is impossible to read a newspaper, or listen to the news, without meeting the acronym ‘LGBT’. It covers a range of so-called lifestyles, all of which are contrary to the nature and the law of God. The L is for lesbian; the G for gay; the B for bi-sexual; and a more recent addition, the T is for transgender. Lesbian, gay and bisexual are terms with which most are familiar, together with the Scriptural position on them. But what is the truth about transgender?

What is Transgenderism?
This is a term given to those who wish to change their sex because they “feel” they are in the wrong body. They are male and want to be female, or vice versa. Transgenderism, or transsexualism, manifests itself in cross-dressing (transvestitism), using hormone treatments, and in some cases seeking radical gender reassignment surgery.

This definition would have been sufficient up until a few years ago, but now the picture is even more complicated. Rather than being male or female, with a desire to change, there is a growing movement to look on sexuality as a continuum (gender fluidity), where you can choose to be one or other or anywhere in between; and it is your right (we are told) to do so. It is not uncommon for young people to describe themselves as “non-binary,” that is, neither male nor female. Modern medicine has ‘medicalised’ the sin and given it a name: “gender dysphoria”. But sin is always sin, no matter how you describe it or dress it up.

What does the Bible say?
Transgenderism has its basis in a deep-seated desire for self-determination, without regard to nature and, in particular, God’s design in man’s creation. The Scriptures are absolutely clear on the matter of sexuality and gender. As far as God is concerned, there are only two genders, male and female. Genesis 1:27 declares that “God created man in His own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”  But He goes further and instructs that there should be a distinction between the sexes. “The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God.” (Deuteronomy 22:5) Underlying all of this is a discontentment with, and a rebellion against, God’s order for mankind.

One of the most worrying aspects of this matter is the proposal to allow children to choose their gender and sexual orientation. ‘Let them be what they want to be.’ In some schools, the terms “boy” and “girl” are banned. And some parents opt to bring up their children “gender-neutral”. This is a recipe for chaos, both in the lives of the children concerned, and in society generally. Man is born sinful; left to himself, he will always choose the path of sin. Essentially, it would be no different to bring up children allowing them to choose whether to steal or not, or to kill or not. Given the choice, they will choose to sin. God’s Word affirms that children must be taught the right way to live and behave. “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6)

Is there a greater sin?
Many argue that the sins of sodomites and transsexuals are greater than any others. The Bible, however, does not support this notion. While describing these sins as ‘abominations’, yet the sin of rejecting Christ far outweighs these evil practices. This is made abundantly clear in Matthew 11:23-24: “And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: …it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.”  What a sobering thought for self-righteous unbelievers who, like the Pharisee of Luke 18:11, so often pride themselves on the fact that they are not as sinful as others!

What is the answer to transgender?
This is, surprisingly, the easiest question to answer. Transsexualism is a sinful practice, condemned by Scripture; but “the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” Christ is the answer. Sin against God and His order for mankind inevitably brings discontentment and distress – the answer can never be more sin. Following the Lord’s pattern for living is the key to having the happiest, most contented life that it is possible to live. “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10)  Gender reassignment surgery is not the answer. The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, USA, where sex-change surgery was pioneered, stopped performing the operations in 1979 – it found that patients were just as troubled after the surgery as they had been before.
One survey found that a staggering 41% of those who underwent gender reassignment surgery have attempted to commit suicide. Christ really is the only answer, and He will receive all who call upon Him.

What should our attitude be to the transsexual?
It is abundantly clear that transgenderism is sin. We have already shown that, but the question is, how should we treat such people? Just because they are sinners, does that give us a licence to mock them, belittle them or jeer at them? Are they not souls, “dead in trespasses and in sins”, souls “taken captive by the Devil at his will”? And is it not the case that there, but for the grace of God, go you and I?

In 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Paul mentions these sins and then announces that some in the church in Corinth had themselves been delivered from such by the power of God:
“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? …neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind…  And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”  So then what should our attitude be? Jude puts it well in verses 22-23 of his epistle: “And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.” Is this group of sinners any less deserving of the Gospel than ourselves?

Sin should never be condoned. But ‘speaking the truth in love’ to sinners, and bringing them to a knowledge of the Gospel, is no less than the fulfilment of the Great Commission. The message of Christ is to be proclaimed to ‘every creature’.

Dr. Lindsay Wilson.