Crisis Management

A crisis of ideology is brewing. Many of our society’s most fundamental beliefs are being shaken, and this has given rise to widespread fear and anger. As Christians, we must guard against these feelings and recognize that this could be a prime opportunity for us to share the gospel and to minister to others. Rather than fear this societal change, we should view this as an opportunity to showcase why what we believe about the creation and purpose of humanity is deeply relevant to our daily lives.

In turbulent times, and amid moral shifts in our culture, informed and discerning Christians are uniquely equipped to demonstrate how the Bible offers stability and certainty. However, this requires an intentionality on our part and a heart that desires to see lives impacted by truth. Our goal should not be merely to win arguments but to apply the transforming power of the gospel to the world around us, and this includes applying the gospel to the needs of the transgender community. As trans people come out of the closet, we Christians have an opportunity to extend hope and love to an entire community of people who are confused, hurting, and ostracized.

This is no simple task, as we often have more questions than answers. Dr. Jack Drescher is a psychiatrist who was part of the American Psychiatric Association’s work group on gender identity. Following an in-depth study of transgenderism, Dr. Drescher admits, “‘The truth is we actually don’t know what it is. Is it a mental disorder or does the cause of gender dysphoria lie somewhere else? We don’t know what causes it.’”^[1]

Humility, combined with a conviction that is based upon the teaching of the Bible, will be key to our ability to navigate these uncertain times. At present, there simply is not enough reliable data to conclusively answer many of the questions associated with transgenderism, nor does the Bible specifically address the subject. As such, there are not always simple answers to these questions. Nevertheless, the Bible does provide us with the principles necessary to discern and evaluate this ideology. Equipped with the unchanging and infallible Word of God, we do have answers to the most important questions undergirding transgenderism, and we are left with little doubt as to what God thinks about such behavior.

As Christians, we should equip ourselves with these biblical principles so that we will not be shaken by pseudo-scientific arguments and emotional appeals, and so that we will be prepared to minister to others in this time of sexual confusion. Understand, however, that apart from these biblical principles, there are no silver bullets that will destroy the transgender argument. Transgenderism is highly resistant to self-definition, choosing instead to rely upon subjective feelings and anecdotal evidence. As such a persuasive argument for one person may not be perceived as being valid for another. Furthermore, the chief arguments in favor of transgenderism frequently Aristotle’s principles of logic. Consequently, it is nearly impossible to create universal arguments that are effective against transgenderism. Instead, we as Christians must be so familiar with the teachings of the Bible that we can readily tailor arguments that are specific to the needs and circumstances of each individual.

This article comes from Transitioning: A Biblical Understanding of Transgenderism.

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