Thoughts on Transgenderism, Part 1

For some reason, not sure what it is, I've been thinking a lot of about transgenderism. No, I am not thinking of coming out or turning into a female, but it's the issue of transgenderism itself that has been occupying my mind.

I've listen to the testimony of some, heard from some of their families and friends, and even listened to those who felt called to serve in the ministry. I listened to one who use to be a pastor of a mega church. Later, after a few years, he told his wife, kids and church that he wasn't supposed to be a male anymore, but a female. So he took the journey to transition and is now serving as a pastor in a church that accepts ministers who are transgender.

So what do we make of all this?

Well, I am not going to go back and revisit the passages in the Bible that teach that God created -- male and female and told them to be fruitful and multiply (Gen 1:27; Matt. 19:4). Such passages in themselves would be enough, but is there more we can look at?  

Statistically, we find that -

-90% have multiple disorders

-41% attempt suicide -50% have symptoms of depression

-40% have symptoms of anxiety

-20% regret transitioning

But the media covers up these stats, glorifies the illness, and condemns anybody who speaks the honest truth.

So, here are some thoughts to seriously consider:

First, the spirit of confusion associated with transgenderism.

There is no doubt about it, when a man transitions into a woman and vice versa, it brings serious confusion. And such confusion is never of God.  The bible says that "God is not the author of confusion, but of peace" (1 Cor. 14:33).   

Over in the Book of Deuteronomy, God says, “A woman must not put on men’s clothing, and a man must not wear women’s clothing. Anyone who does this is detestable in the sight of the Lord your God" (Deut. 22:5). 

This verse is not concerned with clothing styles but with people determining their own sexual identities. It is not clothing or personal style that offends God but rather the use of one’s appearance to act out or take on a sexual identity different from the one biologically assigned by God at birth. In his wisdom, God intentionally made each individual uniquely either male or female. When men or women claim to be able to choose their own sexual identity, and then try to take steps to change it, they are making a statement that God did not know what he was doing when he created them.  Such a statement not only offends God, but confuses others.

Another passage to consider is found in 1 Corinthians 11:4-16: A man dishonors his head if he covers his head while praying or prophesying. ⁵ But a woman dishonors her head if she prays or prophesies without a covering on her head, for this is the same as shaving her head. ⁶ Yes, if she refuses to wear a head covering, she should cut off all her hair! But since it is shameful for a woman to have her hair cut or her head shaved, she should wear a covering.

⁷ A man should not wear anything on his head when worshiping, for man is made in God’s image and reflects God’s glory. And woman reflects man’s glory. ⁸ For the first man didn’t come from woman, but the first woman came from man. ⁹ And man was not made for woman, but woman was made for man. ¹⁰ For this reason, and because the angels are watching, a woman should wear a covering on her head to show she is under authority.

¹¹ But among the Lord’s people, women are not independent of men, and men are not independent of women. ¹² For although the first woman came from man, every other man was born from a woman, and everything comes from God.

¹³ Judge for yourselves. Is it right for a woman to pray to God in public without covering her head? ¹⁴ Isn’t it obvious that it’s disgraceful for a man to have long hair? ¹⁵ And isn’t long hair a woman’s pride and joy? For it has been given to her as a covering. ¹⁶ But if anyone wants to argue about this, I simply say that we have no other custom than this, and neither do God’s other churches.

These are a lot of verses, but the key thoughts here are: Respect, unity, submission and worship. The one single spirit that can destroy all four of these principles is the spirit of confusion.

With the spirit of confusion, down goes respect for God, for yourself, and for those present in worship.

With the spirit of confusion, down goes unity.  The purpose of the cultural head coverings was to make a clear distinction between a man and woman at that time. Transgenderism blurs such distinctions and only elevates the spirit of confusion.

With the spirit of confusion, down goes submission to God. When a man and woman refuses to worship properly, God's prescribed ways are considered unimportant. Self becomes the dominate authority.

With the spirit of confusion, down goes the quality of worship.  The bible teaches that the one thing God seeks from us has to do with worship -- He seeks worshipers who will worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:23-24). When God's prescribe ways are set aside and man says, "I am going to challenge God's way and prefer my own, then that also brings confusion to others.

By the way, this confusion is not just carried over to those present in the church -- humans, but even to angels who are observing Christian gatherings (1 Cor. 11:10). 

So, to avoid confusion, men should not wear women clothing and women should not where men's clothing. Also, on a cultural basis, both men and women ought come to church worshipping God in their own God-given identity, dressing the part and behaving the part.

End of Part 1