Is gender a spectrum? A matter of choice? When is it determined? What should be the roles of men and women in the home, church, and society? How does transgenderism relate to homosexuality? What about men in women's restrooms and facilities? What about cross dressing and drag queens? What does the Bible say? Has the Creator spoken?
Click/tap here to view this material as a video Bible study.
Click/tap here to view PowerPoint slides and charts to accompany this study.
Introduction:
Transgenderism has reached epidemic proportions especially among adolescent girls.
Definition of terms
“…individuals who are transgender have a gender identity – an ‘internal, deeply held sense of their gender’ - that differs from their sex at birth. In other words, a person’s gender identity is the way he feels about what sex he is.” – https://www.hli.org/resources/number-of-transgenders-in-the-united-states/ A person who is satisfied with his biologic sex is called “cisgender.”
Transgenders typically follow a pattern of cross-dressing, changing their name and pronouns, physically restricting their sexual features, hormones, and eventually sex change surgeries.
Factors contributing to the dramatic increase in transgenderism
Some claim transgenderism, like race, is caused by heredity, hormones, or brain condition for which they have no control. But no conclusive research proves this. This is the same strategy homosexuals used to gain political clout as a minority group.
My reading indicates the following factors contribute to the increase in transgenderism.
Permissive, liberal parents; absent/negligent/abusive fathers – Often parents, especially fathers, neglect or abuse the child. Other parents encourage liberal morals or give little moral training. Or the child feels rejected because he/she was the wrong biologic sex.
Confused sex roles and feminism – Society often blurs or reverses roles of men and women so children grow up confused about the differences.
Peers – Girls used to encourage one another to be feminine and boys thought like boys. But today transgenderism is a fad especially for girls. Identifying as trans gets peer approval, and young girls feel pressured to be part of the group.
Social media (smartphones) – This may be the greatest factor (Shrier, 212). Thousands of social pages promote transgenderism (“If you think you might be trans, you probably are”). They urge experimenting, belittle dangers, teach how to get hormones and surgeries. They say parents who object are unloving and push kids to suicide, so kids should reject them.
Schools, educators – Many schools give detailed instruction encouraging LGBTQ practices. Throughout the year special activities celebrate gay and trans students. Faculty often encourage cross-dressing, transgender terminology, and hormones, hiding from parents, even lying to them.
Counselors, psychologists, doctors – Rather than helping kids accept their biologic sex, “experts” often encourage transgenderism. As with abortions, there is big money in providing hormones and surgeries. Kids who need parental consent for procedures like ear piercing, are encouraged to permanently mutilate their bodies without parental guidance.
A small percent of transgenders do have a real struggle with their biologic sex. But the current epidemic is a fad promoted by immoral people. The kids are confused and pressured by outside forces. They need compassion and moral guidance.
The Bible gives evidence that it is a revelation from God and provides the guidance from our Creator who knows what is best how to handle the problem. Consider what it teaches.
The Number of Genders
Trans proponents often say gender is a spectrum: people can be male, female, or anywhere in between. It is determined by mindset, not physical anatomy. However:
God Created Two Genders: Woman and Man.
Genesis 1:26-28; 2:7,21-24; Matthew 19:4 – God created man in His own image: male and female so they could reproduce. God made man from dust but woman from man’s rib. Jesus confirmed this. Two sexes were determined, not by mindset, but by biologic design to reproduce.
Leviticus 12:7 – A woman gives birth to a male or a female. Two sexes: no more, no less.
Exodus 20:10,17 – On the Sabbath everyone must rest including male and female servants. You shall not covet a neighbor's male or female servant. All servants were either male or female. (Genesis 12:16; 20:14; 24:35; 30:43; 32:5; Exodus 21:20,26,32; Leviticus 25:44; 1 Samuel 8:16; 2 Kings 5:26; 2 Chronicles 28:10; Nehemiah 7:67; Esther 7:4; Job 31:13; Ecclesiastes 2:7; Jeremiah 34:9-16; Luke 12:45) .
Numbers 5:6; Deuteronomy 17:2; 2 Chronicles 15:13; Esther 4:11 – Rules for all people are directed for “either a man or a woman.” All people were “either man or woman.” This covered all the possible sexes. (Numbers 6:2; Leviticus 13:29,38; 20:27; Exodus 21:28)
Joshua 6:21; 1 Samuel 15:3; 27:9,11 – Israel utterly destroyed everyone: man and woman.
(Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:5; 1 Chronicles 16:3; Exodus 36:6; 2 Chronicles 28:10; Ecclesiastes 2:8; Jeremiah 44:7)
Parents Are Father and Mother; Children Are Sons or Daughters.
Parents are father and mother
Matthew 15:4-6; Ephesians 6:2; Exodus 20:12 – God commanded, “Honor your father and your mother.” He who curses father or mother should die. (Exodus 21:15,17; Leviticus 19:3; Matthew 19:9 ; Proverbs 19:26; 20:20; 30:11,17)
Matthew 10:37 – He who loves father or mother … son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.
(Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:5; Ephesians 5:31; Leviticus 21:2,11; Numbers 6:7; Ezekiel 44:25; Psalm 27:10; Deuteronomy 21:13,18,19; 22:15; 27:16; Joshua 2:13,18; 6:23; Matthew 19:29; 2 Chronicles 24:3; Nehemiah 10:28,30)
Children are sons and daughters / brothers and sisters
Genesis 5:4-30; 11:11-25 – As people reproduced they had sons and daughters. Two sexes.
Exodus 10:9 – When Israel left Egypt, everyone went including sons and daughters.
Numbers 26:33 – Zelophehad had no sons, but daughters. Only two possibilities.
2 Corinthians 6:18 – God will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters.
Trans proponents object to the terms “father,” “mother,” “son,” “daughter,” “husband,” “wife.” But the Bible is filled with such terms. By opposing such language transgenders indirectly acknowledge the strength of this evidence. They know those terms define two separate genders.
If we speak as the oracles of God, we refute transgenderism simply by Scriptural language.
(Psalm 106:37,38; Jeremiah 7:31; 32:35; 16:3; 3:24; 5:17; 11:22; 35:8; Acts 2:17; Exodus 20:10; Matthew 10:37; Luke 14:26; Genesis 37:35; Exodus 3:22; 21:4,31; Leviticus 10:14; Numbers 18:11,19; Deuteronomy 7:3; 18:10; Ezekiel 14:16-22)
When Gender Is Determined
Trans defenders say anyone can choose their gender anytime.
Children Were Born Sons or Daughters.
Women bore sons or daughters: gender was obvious at birth.
Genesis 24:36 – Sarah bore a son to Abraham.
Genesis 41:50; 44:27 – To Joseph were born two sons.
Exodus 2:22 – Moses’ wife bore him a son.
2 Samuel 3:2; 5:13; 11:27; 12:24 – Sons and daughters were born to David
Job 1:2 – Seven sons and three daughters were born to Job.
Other examples: gender was obvious at birth.
Exodus 1:16,22 – Pharaoh commanded every son born to Hebrew women should be killed but every daughter saved alive.
Leviticus 12:7 – This is the law for her who has borne a male or a female.
Jeremiah 29:6 – Take wives, beget sons and daughters so they may bear sons and daughters
Revelation 12:5,13 – Woman bore / gave birth to a male Child: a male at birth.
Note: Woman is defined, not by mindset, but by her biologic anatomy for reproduction.
(1 Samuel 4:20; Exodus 21:4; Judges 8:31; Ruth 4:13; 2 Samuel 14:27; 2 Kings 4:17; 1 Chron. 22:9; Ezekiel 16:20; 23:4)
A Child Is Conceived Male or Female.
Ultrasounds confirm the sex of the child long before it is born. Science proves the genes of each person determine gender at the moment of conception. But the Bible stated it all along.
Woman conceives and gives birth to sons or daughters.
Gender was determined at conception and remained the same at birth and throughout life.
Genesis 21:2 – Sarah conceived and bore a son.
Genesis 29:32,33,35; 30:7,17,29,23 – Jacob’s wives conceived and bore sons.
Exodus 2:2 – Moses’ mother conceived and bore a son.
1 Samuel 1:20 – Hannah conceived and bore a son (Samuel). (2:21)
Isaiah 7:14 – The virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.
Luke 1:31 – The angel Gabriel promised Mary: “You will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus.”
In every case the child’s gender was determined at conception. It was conceived a son or daughter, born a son or daughter, and remained a son or daughter, just like science confirms. A woman is defined, not by mindset, but by biologic ability designed to conceive and bear children.
(Judges 13:3,5,7; Leviticus 12:2; 1 Chronicles 7:23; 2 Kings 4:17; Genesis 38:3,4,5; Hosea 1:3,6,8; Isaiah 8:3; Leviticus 12:2; 2 Chronicles 11:21; 13:21)
A man begets and a woman conceives a son or daughter.
Conception/begettal determines whether the child is male or female.
Genesis 6:10 – Noah begot three sons
Genesis 11:11-25 – Men begot sons and daughters.
1 Chronicles 7:15 – Zelophehad begot only daughters.
Job 3:3 – May the night [perish] in which it was said, “A male child is conceived.”
Jeremiah 16:3; 29:6 – Sons and daughters were born; their mothers bore them, their fathers begot them. So they are male or female at conception and at birth.
Luke 1:36 – Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age.
Gender is determined at the moment of conception (a child has no preference then). No mindset, therapy, or surgery can change that. The chromosomes in every cell in the child’s body unalterably determines it to be male or female. God word speaks truth.
Men are designed with anatomy to beget children and women with anatomy to give birth.
(Deuteronomy 28:41; 1 Chronicles 14:3; 7:15; Ecclesiastes 5:14; 2 Chronicles 11:21; 13:21 )
Fulfillment of Gender Roles
Transgenders seek to choose male or female roles, then they insist others treat them according to their chosen role. But God has determined roles for men and women.
Transgenderism and Homosexuality
Transgenders and homosexuals acknowledge the connection between them. LGBTQ = Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer. Many transgenders have homosexual tendencies.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11 – Do not be deceived. Homosexuals and sodomites will not inherit the kingdom of God. They can be forgiven and justified, but must cease their unrighteous practices.
Romans 1:26-28 – When men or women exchange what is natural and burn in lust for their own natural sex, it is “vile passions,” “against nature,” “shameful.” This describes transgenders as well as homosexuals. They do not retain God in their knowledge, have debased minds, and do things which are not fitting. Both they and those who approve of them face God’s judgment.
Transgenderism is wrong for the same reasons that homosexuality is wrong.
(1 Timothy 1:9-11; Genesis 19:1-11; 2 Peter 2:6-8; Leviticus 18:22,23; 20:13,15,16)
Family Roles of Husband and Wife
Man is the leader, provider and protector. Woman is the helper and homemaker.
Ephesians 5:22-25,28 – Wives should submit to their husbands for the husband is head of the wife as Christ is head of the church. Husbands should love their wives as Christ loved the church. May the church change its identity so it does not need to obey Christ?
1 Timothy 5:8 – The man should provide for his household. If he does not, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
Titus 2:5; 1 Timothy 5:14; 1 Peter 3:1 – Young women should be homemakers, manage the house, and be obedient to their own husbands.
God determined these roles by a person’s natural gender. Seeking to identify oneself as the opposite gender constitutes rebellion against the roles God assigned men and women.
Modesty, Decency, and Chastity
Genesis 3:10,21 – God created tunics for Adam and Eve to hide the shame of their nakedness. To see the nakedness of someone of the opposite sex other than one’s spouse is shameful. ( Exodus 28:41,42; Revelation 3:18)
Titus 2:5; 1 Peter 3:1-5 – Women are commanded to be chaste. This requires avoiding clothing that reveals what should be private. (2 Corinthians 11:2; 1 Timothy 2:9,10)
Mark 7:21-23; Romans 13:13 – God specifically forbids licentiousness: sexually suggestive activities. (Galatians 5:19-21; 1 Peter 4:3,4)
Males who claim to be females often insist on using women’s restrooms, locker rooms, and showers. This promotes lasciviousness and violates the chastity, modesty, and decency of others.
Other Gender Guidelines
1 Corinthians 14:34,35; 1 Timothy 2:11,12 – Women must submit to men in spiritual teaching and must not speak to the assembled church. If a woman claims to be a man, may she avoid these rules? Must the church abide by her claims?
Deuteronomy 22:5 – A woman shall not wear anything that pertains to a man, nor shall a man put on a woman's garment, for all who do so are an abomination to the Lord your God.
1 Corinthians 11:14,15 – Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him? But if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her.
Men who want to be women wear clothing and long hair like women, hence the recent epidemic of “drag queens” even in schools and libraries. And women who want to be men wear clothing and short hair like men. This is plain rebellion against the word of God.
Other Illustrations of Role Reversals
If a man or woman may change their God-given role simply by declaring themselves to be the opposite gender, why cannot people likewise disregard other God-given roles?
Ephesians 6:1 – Children must obey their parents. May a child declare he feels like an adult so he does not have to obey his parents? Must his parents respect his choice?
Ephesians 6:5 – Servants must obey their masters. If an employee claims to identify as the supervisor, must others treat him and even pay him as the boss?
Romans 13:1 – Citizens must submit to the rulers of the land. May any citizen say in his mind he identifies himself to be a ruler, so everyone else must obey his rules?
These absurd examples are as reasonable as for a man to identify as a woman or a woman as a man and demand to be treated accordingly. The result is that all role guidelines are anarchy.
How to Deal with Transgenderism
* Accept and submit to God’s plan – The basic issue is: What does God say? Scripture reveals God’s plan and the evidence that it is the revelation from God. He is the Creator. He knows what is best. Our duty as God’s creatures is to obey His word, not to follow our human feelings or desires – Ecclesiastes 12:13,14; 2 Timothy 3:16-4:4; Jeremiah 17:9; 1 Corinthians 1:18-25.
* Recognize and resist temptation – Transgenderism is one of many temptations people may face: stealing, anger, vengeance, alcohol, sexual immorality. Resist it using the weapons God provides (Scripture, prayer and worship, help from others). See Ephesians 6:10-18. James 4:7 – Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
* Acknowledge and speak truth – God created two sexes. Hormones and surgeries do not change God’s plan or the scientific fact that the genes in every cell in your body determine your gender. Saying you are the opposite gender is a lie, and demanding others agree is expecting them to lie. Proverbs 6:16,17 – a lying tongue is an abomination to God. Ephesians 4:25
* Appreciate and accept your natural gender and help others do likewise – Both men and women have advantages and problems. Both can please God and receive eternal life (1 Peter 3:7; Galatians 3:28).
According to the American College of Pediatricians, 98 percent of gender confused boys and 88 percent of gender confused girls accept their biological sex after puberty without any counseling. (1) Many who transitioned have detransitioned.
* Be a good steward of your body – 1 Corinthians 6:19,20 – Your body belongs to God for His glory (Romans 12:1,2). 1 Corinthians 12:18,25 – God has set each member in the body just as He pleased … that the members should … care for one another. (Ephesians 5:29).
* Parents, train your children to appreciate and follow God-given roles. Dress them in clothing and hair length that obviously expresses their gender. Severely limit use of social media. Do not allow kids to have smartphones or control them with a vengeance.
Let your girls be girls and your boys be boys. Teach your boys how to act and dress like masculine men and your girls to act and dress like feminine women, so they grow up knowing the difference, not confused by homosexuality or transgenderism, and knowing how to fulfill their God-given roles in the family, the church, and society. Ephesians 6:4; Proverbs 22:5
Conclusion
The following story (highly paraphrased) puts the transgender issue in a nutshell. A reporter asked Kari Lake her views on transgenderism. She responded, “Let me put it this way. Do you understand the difference between a cow and a bull?”
A cow is a cow and a bull is a bull. A woman is a woman and a man is a man. That is the way God made it. Common sense and science confirm the Bible teaching. Respect for our Creator should resolve the issue of transgenderism for all who believe His word.
(1) “Pediatricians Call It What It Is – Child Abuse,” Micah Clark; 3/18/2016; https://illinoisfamily.org/uncategorized/pediatricians-call-it-what-it-is-child-abuse/;
Sources
Anderson, Ryan T., When Harry Became Sally; Encounter Books, New York, NY, 2018
Branch, J. Alan, Addressing the Transgender Question with Science and Scripture; Lexham Press, WA, 2019
Shrier, Abigail, Irreversible Damage: The Transgender Craze Seducing Our Daughters; Regnery Publishing, Washington DC, 2020
(c) Copyright David E. Pratte, 2023; gospelway.com
