Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director, Christian Life Resources
Today, opinion reigns supreme. Peculiar and rebellious opinions enjoy special veneration, fueled by the ubiquitous open-mic forum of social media. A strongly worded argument, flavored with emotion, weighs heavily in such debates, even if not founded in truth. Today, “truth” often begins with, “I think.”
Sex and Reproduction
An opinionated society demands that we define our terms. In this article, “sex” refers to biological realities, and “gender” refers to chosen social constructs. For example, someone biologically a male (sex) decides to live gay, as a female, asexual, or even as an animal (gender).
Scripture is clear regarding sex:
Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. The man said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken out of man.” (Genesis 2:22–23)
This is called a “binary” view of sex – either male or female. The complementary nature of sex is central to reproduction (Genesis 1:20-23; 27-28; 6:19-21).
A word of caution about tunnel vision: The scriptures identify many parts of the body. The Apostle Paul used body parts to illustrate the varied gifts among God’s people (1 Corinthians 12:15-27). There is trouble when lips are viewed as hands, legs are like ears, or the eye presumes to listen. When people use body parts in ways contrary to the desires of God, there is condemnation (Matthew 5:29-30; James 3:5-9), inside and outside the gender controversies.
The commonly cited biblical condemnation of homosexuality reads:
Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is detestable. (Leviticus 18:22)
The Apostle Paul expresses similar sentiments in his words to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 6:9-10).
The original languages of the Old and New Testaments are clear on this kind of abuse of sexuality – as well as abuses heterosexually (Leviticus 20:10; John 8:3-11; 1 Corinthians 5:1).
Issues of sexuality seem to be a “front and center” concern in the Bible. We see that at creation (Genesis 2:25) and after the fall into sin (Genesis 3:7). Early theologians suggest that realizing nakedness represented a loss of humankind’s innocence and focus on serving God. It may also have something to do with the role of sex in growing the human race (Genesis 1:28). To God, sex is important and, therefore, should be important to us.
Sex and the Image of God
Humans are uniquely made “in the image of God” (Genesis 1:26-27). This “image” was compromised by the fall into sin (1 Corinthians 13:12). Nevertheless, being made in God’s image makes humans different than the rest of creation (1 Corinthians 11:7; James 3:9). It is a trait we share with Christ, who is called the image of God (2 Corinthians 4:4).
This means that God’s will is to be our will (Matthew 6:10; 26:42). Deciphering between good and evil (Hebrews 5:12-6:3) is a process, not an event. Understanding God’s will takes time; we may not always see or agree with it initially. In those instances, we are encouraged to accept the directive, work towards understanding (Philippians 3:15-16), and trust that God’s word is truthful (John 17:17) and answers will come (1 John 3:2).
Sin, however, distorts all judgments. We lose the clarity of our mission and purpose. Our earthly lives are stumbling journeys as we strive to return to the purity of that image (Philippians 3:12-14). Because, as God’s children, his will is our will, matters of sexuality, as in all matters of life, there will be struggles to accept God’s will. It does not make God’s will wrong but reveals evil’s hold on our lives.
Born This Way
We are often asked, “Was I born this way?” Possibly.
Typically, a human has 23 pairs of chromosomes in each cell, carrying the complete genetic information from our parents. For females, it is two X chromosomes; for males, it is an X and Y chromosome. I have compiled a list of 26 abnormalities in the biological formation of sex. Some abnormalities have peculiarities in the chromosomes (e.g., Turner Syndrome, Klinefelter Syndrome, Trisomy X). In contrast, others have a malfunction in the complexity of the development process (e.g., Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome, Steroid 5-alpha-reductase deficiency, Leydig Cell Hypoplasia).
The slightest biological malfunction can produce dramatic thought and personality changes by releasing various hormones. Any of those who suffer one of the 26 abnormalities of sexuality can have a clash of hormonal releases to change the way they might naturally feel about their sex.
The environment may also play a role. Researchers discovered that untreated municipal wastewater dumped into the waterways results in the feminization of male fish because of increased estrogen content. It has raised questions about whether this affects gender attitudes and is a factor in infertility issues for human males.
Could the gender issues be the result of biology and the environment? Perhaps. We must remember that possibility in our ministry to those wrestling with gender issues.
Two Kinds of People
Some physical issues have genetic roots (e.g., Huntington’s Disease, some cancers, high cholesterol). Some psychiatric issues may also have genetic roots (e.g., autism, ADHD, schizophrenia, substance abuse). This may mean some people may not have as much control over what is happening in their bodies and their heads.
Even when true, none of this makes a wrong thing right. If drunkenness has biological origins, it does not make drunkenness OK any more so than a family history of heart disease means we ignore that problem in those people.
Some people realize that their gender inclinations are not consistent with bearing the image of God. For them, it is a sin that they know and wrestle with.
Others, however, embrace godless notions with gusto, parading with pride, demanding acceptance and even veneration for their peculiarity. They despise God and his word on such matters. Our approach to both must be different, but the goal remains the same: the salvation of all people (1 Timothy 2:4).
Practical Issues
Space permits me to only touch on three practical issues in this regard:
Preferred Pronouns: Today, people can use pronouns that do not match their birth sex. For us, we feel a conflict between standing for the truth about sexuality and building a relationship to lead to an eventual Christian witness. The correct course of action may have more to do with your personality than the person with a peculiar pronoun. Take the action that best builds a bridge for continued contact and eventual sharing of the Gospel.
Teaching Children with Gender Issues: It is mind-boggling that children who might still believe in Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny are permitted to choose their gender, even when it is not consistent with their sex. It says more about the parents than the child.
Nevertheless, parents bear the first responsibility for training their children (Proverbs 1:8; 22:6; Ephesians 6:4). Because of sin, we all stumble in this task. We count on time and correction (with great patience and careful instruction) to repair the parental wounds we inflict. To the best of our ability, we speak and act in love – carefully parceling the truth to build a relationship – not looking to win the war on every encounter, but to win little battles towards building the relationship. As an instructor, you want your students to see a personal hope that radiates from you in all that you do. One day, when the going gets tough, they come to you for direction because they want to experience your hope (1 Peter 3:15).
Teaching Our Children About Gender: Gender issues are everywhere. It might tempt us to isolate ourselves from the world, but then it is difficult to be Gospel lights to those who need it. Instead, keep the sins of the world in perspective. We have faced other persistent and pervasive sins, from ignored commandments, lovelessness, slander, and selfishness. There is no better guard against these things than the modeling you do in your own home. Children learn best by example. If you come off as self-righteous, condescending, and loveless to those who need the Gospel, chances are so will your children. If you accept callously the moral degradation in our society, chances are your children will.
The solution is to imitate Christ (1 Peter 2:21). He was the hardest on the most self-righteous and the most patient with the greatest sinners (1 Timothy 1:15). In our increasingly divisive world, this requires a paradigm shift for our churches and individuals. Every week, we corporately and individually stand side-by-side in publicly confessing our sins. We want God to accept confession for all of our sins. Adopt that attitude on gender issues. Patience and love with others navigating gender sins is simply imitating the same patience and love that we ask God to show us. Seeing the plank in our eye makes us more patient in working on the specks of dust in the eyes of others (Matthew 7:4-5).
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