Transgenderism and the Bible

2022-10-21

Introduction

And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female (Matthew 19:4)

This is the Lord Jesus Christ speaking. The context is pertaining to divorce and remarriage, a doctrine missing in our time. But do not miss what He says here. Sex and gender are concepts that originate with God. Again, Jesus says, “But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female” (Mark 10:6).

Here, I will discuss a biblical approach to transgenderism. This discussion will not include things such as physical defects. It will also not discuss the large breadth of differences and nuances that transgenderism entails.

Sex and Gender Distinctions

According to the above Scriptures, God created male and female. Though animals also can be male and female, the phrase “male and female” first is used to apply to the human race (Genesis 1:27). God intentionally made this distinction. Therefore, being male or female is something that was defined by God before there were multiple nations or cultures in the world. What He says about being male and female must be absolute and always apply to all cultures, because they were defined when the first male and first female were made. The concepts of male and female are universal. If the distinction between male and female did not matter, God would not have created them male and female; He would have created everyone the same.

Today’s generation treats sex and gender differently. Sex refers to biological aspects of a person, such as chromosomes and anatomy. These are absolute characteristics. Gender is societal and cultural in nature and is relative. As far as I can tell, this is how today’s world defines these terms. The Scriptures do not make distinctions between sex and gender. If you are male anatomically, then you were assigned the role of being male and being masculine, and likewise if you are a female. The concepts of sex and gender are inextricably linked in the Bible.

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. (Deuteronomy 22:5)

You must be careful with this verse. Nowhere here does it say what kind of clothes a man or woman should wear. The emphasis is on distinction. Many have made this about women wearing pants or the like. Do not do this. Different cultures through the ages have different clothing. Women wear pants in the culture I live in, but you can tell the difference between men’s and women’s pants.

So, what can we glean from this verse? The clothing you wear, which would be culturally relative, should match the objective truth of your sex and gender. The word “abomination” is used (recall the post concerning that topic from two days ago for reference). You have to think, why? Why does God care? I believe it is because He created sex and gender, and one must accept who they are biologically and not hide that true identity.

Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering. (1 Corinthians 11:14-15)

This verse shows another aspect sex and gender distinction: hair length. Like the clothing, there will be some cultural relativity. There are no lengths specified. Some women cannot grow their hair as long, depending on the nation or even individual. However, this distinction is listed much like the clothing distinction; this is universal since this passage also makes a reference to the first male and female (1 Corinthians 11:8-10).

Behavior

Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. (1 Corinthians 6:9-10)

Being effeminate is a sin. It is listed with a bunch of bad stuff. If you are a man (biologically) and act like a woman, the Scriptures say that you cannot inherit God’s kingdom. This is not to say that Christians do not partake in all these sins above at times (another discussion). The point I am trying to make is that it is wrong to act contrarily to your God-given sex, according to the Scriptures.

Reassignment Surgery

He that is wounded in the stones, or hath his privy member cut off, shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD. (Deuteronomy 23:1)

This is rather explicit, but it is in the Scriptures for a reason. Many seek or have had undergone reassignment surgery. What the “congregation of the LORD” means, and its implications, is another discussion. It also does not say whether this mutilation was intentional or the mutilated person’s decision. Regardless, we can infer from this verse that such a mutilation is not good, according to the Scriptures.

Conclusion

Throughout the Scriptures, we see distinctions between male and female. Whether you are convinced in your mind one way, your physical sex and your gender identity are the same, biblically speaking. I do not say these things to hurt anybody; I am showing you what the Scriptures are saying. Please don’t shoot the messenger. Because of the confusion that has been spread in the last several years, I felt it necessary to write about this subject.

Regardless, do not let this discussion derail you from the core message from the Bible, which is that we are sinners condemned before God and need a Savior. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died for all our sin and rose from the dead. He is coming again. Find consolation in Him alone.