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What does the Bible say about transgender issues?

 
Carl Laferton | 6 Feb 2020

This article features in the Engage NIV Youth Bible, which seeks to connect young people with God's word—helping them to unpack the Scriptures for themselves. The aim is not to tell young people what to think about the Bible, but to show them how to think about the Bible.

Let’s start by defining what the various terms mean:

Gender dysphoria: the experience of feeling a mismatch between gender (whether you feel you’re male or female, or something else) and sex (how your body is built).

Transgender: taking on an identity of a different gender to the sex you were born with.

Transitioning: to undergo treatment in order to try to make the way your body is built express that identity.

Engage NIV Youth Bible

Engage NIV Youth Bible

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NIV Bible with articles, explanations and creative spaces to help teens read God’s word.

What creation tells us

Read Genesis 1:26-28 and notice four things: 

1. We’re made in God’s image. All of us are, whatever we do and whatever is done to us.

2. We have bodies. And your body is not just something in which the real you lives – it’s part of the real you.

3. We’re under authority. You and I are not the Creator. We are created. We don’t get to make the rules (and when we try, we’re no good at it).

4. We’re gendered. God made two genders: male, and female (a point that Jesus agreed with, Matthew 19:4-5). So being female or a male isn’t only about your anatomy – but your anatomy will show you whether you’re a female or a male.

What the fall tells us

Of course, we don’t live in the perfect world those first humans did. We live in a world that is broken by sin – and that brokenness extends to our bodies, and even to our hearts and their desires. That’s why Peter says to Christians:

‘Dear friends . . . abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul.’ (1 Peter 2:11)

Some of our desires, or feelings, tell us to do things, or that we are things, which are actually opposed to our ‘soul’ – to our good, both now and eternally. So we have to work out which of our desires to feed, because they’re good; and which to fight, because they’re actually warring against us. And the way to do that is not to listen to our strongest desires (they might be wrong!) but to God’s Word, which is always right.

And God’s Word says that our gender is given to us by God, that it matches the sex that he built our body to have, and that therefore our gender is not changeable.

What the cross tells us

That may be a hard, and painful, thing for you to hear. Please remember that Jesus understands that – he knows what it’s like to live in a human body, and he knows what it’s like to really really desire doing something that isn’t in line with God’s plan (Matthew 26:39).

And please remember that Jesus loves you. He died on a cross because he loves you so much he wants to make it possible for you to be forgiven any wrong you’ve done (or will do), and to open up an eternal life with him – one day he’ll give you a perfect mind, heart, and body, all in agreement with each other, with no experience of shame or sadness. 

Transformation is coming to anyone who trusts Jesus. The Bible says that, until that day of transformation comes when Jesus returns, all Christians, one way or another, ‘groan’ (Romans 8:23). But we know that the groaning won’t last for ever, and will be worth it in the end.

Find out more about the Engage NIV Youth Bible.

TBD

9:18 AM AEST on September 9th
I honestly don't know if this is true or not, you say that our gender was made to match our sex, but where in the bible does it say that? And maybe, just as our bodies can be born broken because of the fall, maybe our genders can be as broken as our bodies, or our bodies broken in such a way we are born in the wrong gender, please tell me your thoughts on this, trying to determine if being trans is alright and I see your side and want to have a conversation

AJ

2:36 PM AEST on July 27th
I believe God "knitted together" our bodies in the womb and we are wonderfully made. But just as God made "day" & "night", did he not also make dawn, dusk, twilight, the northern lights, eclipses etc. Can it not be the same for God's other creations?

The Good Book

11:27 PM AEST on August 1st
Hi AJ and TBD, thank you for your thoughtful comments.

I suggest that you read Vaughan Roberts’ ’Transgender’ or Andrew Walker’s ‘God and the Transgender Debate’ to address some of these questions. If you would like, we would be happy to mail you a free copy of either or both books! If so, please feel free to email us directly at info@thegoodbook.com with your shipping addresses and any other questions you may have.

Thank you again - I hope this is helpful!

Michael

3:03 AM AEST on August 4th
Would you please send me a copy of Vaugn Robert's "Transgender" and/or Andrew Walker's "GOD and the Transgender Debate"?
My heart is breaking to think that God would not accept me as I am! I was born with a birth defect such as being born with both genitals, no genitals, or even a cleft lip. All of which, can be remedied through surgery. I don't want to be left behind
when Jesus comes! As it is right now, I don't feel open and honest with God and I must be. Please help! Thank you, Michael.

The Good Book

4:18 AM AEST on August 6th
Hi Michael, of course we can send you the copies (I've removed your address from your comment for privacy's sake). The ordered has been placed and should be shipped shortly.

We hope these books are a comfort and an encouragement to you!

carol

4:18 AM AEST on August 20th
I have just discovered that our grandson has come out as a transgender woman. As Christians we will love him unconditionally. Where does he stand with God? As far as we know he has never ask Jesus to be his Savior. Is it wrong to be transgender in God"s eyes?

Jon Newlon

12:27 AM AEST on August 22nd
I would like a copy of Robert’s and/or Vaughn’s book. This is a current debate in our church. Glad to pay for book(s) and shipping. Thank you.

The Good Book

1:03 AM AEST on August 23rd
Hi Jon! If you email hello@thegoodbook.com, we'd love to get that order taken care of for you! :)

The Good Book

1:36 AM AEST on August 26th
Hi Carol! Thank you for your question. Would you also like a copy of Vaughn Robert's "Transgender" and/or Andrew Walker's "God and the Transgender Debate" to help you think through some of these things during this time?

Jackie

3:27 AM AEST on September 16th
My grandson has also come out as wanting to be a female. I am so torn. I want to have a relationship with my son daughter-in-law and grandson, but I cannot approve of this lifestyle. So far I have remain silent, because I don’t know how to approach this. I would really like some guidance here.

The Good Book

10:36 PM AEST on September 27th
Hi Jackie - thank you for reaching out. For such a tough and confusing issue, I'd suggest that you read Andrew Walker’s ‘God and the Transgender Debate’ or Vaughan Roberts’ ’Transgender’ to help walk you through these questions. We'd would be happy to mail you a free copy of either or both books if you'd like! If so, please email us directly at info@thegoodbook.com with your shipping address.

Thank you - I hope this helps!

Rose Smith

11:36 PM AEDT on October 7th
Please mail me both books on transgender and what God says, my 13 year old granddaughter wants to be a boy PLEASE HELP

Lilly

6:54 PM AEDT on October 8th
My Son recently told me He wants to transition to a Woman.
My Son is my only Son, and I love Him with all my might!
However; Am having a difficult time dealing with this!
His Dad passed away four years ago, and I know this would be difficult for Him to deal with as well.
Can you help me understand better?
I don’t want to end my relationship with my Son! I love Him with all my might! Sign Mother in Crisis!

The Good Book

2:05 AM AEDT on October 21st
Hi Rose! Can you email hello@thegoodbook.com with your shipping address so we can send those books to you?

The Good Book

2:09 AM AEDT on October 21st
Hi Lilly,

We are sorry to hear about your current struggles! We would also love to help you work through your questions with Andrew Walker’s ‘God and the Transgender Debate’ or Vaughan Roberts’ ’Transgender’. If you would like copies, please email us at hello@thegoodbook.com!

BB

6:18 AM AEDT on November 12th
You haven't understood the Bible if you just grab a couple of scriptures and not comprehens the theme of God's redeeming love. It seems like you just want to promote these books! If God makes us perfect in the womb then he made trans people perfect, too! There is no condemnation in Christ Jesus!

Rachael

5:00 PM AEDT on December 10th
If God created transgender without the human race would not continue. It takes a male and female for all of us to have been born. It is clear that it is God's design. God loves you and wants you to rest your confusion in him..lean not on your own understanding. Except who you were born as. You are beautifully and wonderfully made in the image of God for a purpose. You can chose your own purpose or surrender to your creator he wants you to know him. There is one truth. The world we live in is in GREAT confusion but God will save you if you ask him. He gives us all free will. Chose life

Kathi

7:00 AM AEDT on December 30th
I believe God made us perfect in His eyes. He made us the way He wanted us to be. So if you feel that God made a mistake, I ask you to look at who you are saying made the mistake. God makes no mistakes, His will is perfect to save souls. I say take those conflicting feelings that is in your heart and mind and ask who put them there. the earth is the devils playground and the devil will do anything to make sure you are steered clear of God and our Savior Christ. If you let yourself "get lost" in not liking how God made you, please ask yourself, What is it you want me to do with these feelings? He will tell you to believe in Him and Jesus and let them figure it out for you because He will and then take what you learn from that and share the Good news to others that feel the same. Some will embrace it and some will not but in the end you have done what God has led you to do and saved some from the clutches of evil. Not all can be saved we know that but God wants us to save the ones we can. Don't give up and don't despair because if you do you let the devil creep in and destroy you. Always take your troubles to Christ because He died on that cross to make sure we don't have to deal with troubles alone.
Love from a mother of a transgender daughter

Cilla

5:00 AM AEDT on January 6th
I found 1 scripture that addresses this situation:

Deuteronomy 22:5 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.

Is there other scripture that also address this issue?

The Good Book

6:00 AM AEDT on January 12th
We are no longer able to offer free copies of "Transgender" and "God and the Transgender Debate", but for more biblical insights into this issue, please use the code "transgender" to save 30% on a hard copy!

Gisel

12:00 AM AEDT on January 14th
It's unbelievable that people still believe in mythology books where animals talk and base their decisions on them, some of them tearing families apart and even leading to suicide. I hold the owner of this page accountable for all of that.

As for the people looking for guidance, the bible is a compilation of ancient books full of contradictions and scientific mistakes, even lies. Why will you base your beliefs on it and live a life of torment with gender dysphoria? Why will you disown your child or grandchild based on a book that speaks of murdering children as justice? (1 Samuel 15:3).

I urge you to reconsider. You can be spiritual but not follow dogma invented by shepherds during the Bronze Age.

TL Willies

4:00 AM AEDT on February 6th
I would like copies of both books

The Good Book

1:00 AM AEDT on February 8th
Hi TL! Unfortunately, we are no longer able to offer free copies of "Transgender" and "God and the Transgender Debate", but please use the code "transgender" to save 30% on a hard copy of either or both books!

Island Girl

9:00 PM AEDT on March 1st
Aloha, I have a stepdaughter who wants to be a boy but yet wants a relationship with a boy. I'm confused with this whole situation and I'm having such a hard time accepting this and the fact that her dad allows and encourages this transgender or the idea and yet claims to be a true Christian. Anyway, I cam receive a book to share it with him? To maybe answer both our questions and how we should go about things.

Kristy

3:00 PM AEDT on March 13th
Your use of rainbow colors, in an article with topics relating to trans people, in an effort to bait people into your ideology, is quite disinengenous to be frank. A lot of the comments to your article are full of misinformation and lack of education regarding GID. There's no such thing as "transgenderism". It's not a movement. People can BE transgender, but you can't be "transgendered" or be affected by "transgenderism". Educate yourself, please! Scripture before the 1940's also NEVER said anything about trans people or the LGBTQA people at all. Again, educate yourself, stop spreading misinformation. Signed ~ fellow Christian.

The Good Book

5:00 AM AEDT on March 18th
Hi Island Girl! Unfortunately, we're no longer able to offer free copies of "Transgender" and "God and the Transgender Debate", but you may still use the code "transgender" to save 30% on a hard copy of either or both books!

Carl Laferton

Carl is Editorial Director at The Good Book Company and is a member of Grace Church Worcester Park, London. He is the best-selling author of The Garden, the Curtain and the Cross and God's Big Promises Bible Storybook, and also serves as series editor of the God's Word for You series. Before joining TGBC, he worked as a journalist and then as a teacher, and pastored a congregation in Hull. Carl is married to Lizzie, and they have two children. He studied history at Oxford University.

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