Are Transgender People Sinning?

Abstract

While transgenderism in America may be confusing to Christians, they need not be afraid of this important emerging social issue. Instead they need to do their best to understand it. The first half of this paper will walk through some basics of transgenderism. The terminology in this field changes quickly but through humility and willingness to learn Christians can converse with people in the transgender community. Statistics indicate that while number of people in the transgender community is fairly low, it is growing. The means of diagnosing and treating gender dysphoria are varied and can be confusing for Christians. Gender formation theories work together even as they sometimes disagree about what makes some people transgender. From what we know it is clear that transgenderism is not unlike other difficulties from which people suffer in this world. The second half of this paper will examine the issue in light of God’s Word. When Christians consult God’s Word they will find that God has a lot to say about gender. At creation God established a gender binary. God does not distinguish between sex and gender. He expects people to express their gender according to the sex he assigned to them at birth. God nowhere indicates that switching from one gender to another is either possible or appropriate. Lastly, this paper will consider how Christians may wisely respond to transgender individuals. Christian lay people and pastors must make tough choices when dealing with transgender people, but their conversations should always be guided by understanding and compassion.