Topical Sermons Power Point Show
Scripture Reading: Proverbs 3:1-8
Bible Question Box: What about being Transgender?
(June 2005)
Intro.
1. God created sexual function, force (drive, desire) and fulfillment for the complimenting and completing of men and women (Gen. 2:18, 25; Heb. 13:4; 1 Cor. 7:3-4). Today, there is a new and growing vocabulary:
a. Transgender: “describes a range of people with conflicts or questions about their gender. They include people who are born male but think of themselves as female, or vice versa, or people who are preparing for a sex change operation, or those who have had a sex change.” (“Transgender law proposal to get airing,” The Register-Guard, Eugene, OR, May 29, 2005)
b. Gender identity: “It was not until 1955 that John Money, Ph.D. first used the term “gender” to discuss sexual roles, adding in 1966 the term “gender identity” while conducting his gender research at Johns Hopkins. In 1974, Dr. N.W. Fisk provided our now familiar diagnosis of Gender Dysphoria. Previously, one’s sexual role was considered one of two discrete, non-overlapping congenital attributes — male or female…” (What is Gender and Who is Transgendered?, Carl W. Bushong, PhD, LMFT, www.transgendercare.com)
c. Gender reassignment: What was once called “sex-change” operation.
2. The transgender subculture that is becoming main stream and is fueled and supported by the medical and psychological communities, government and media of our day (wisdom of men, Col. 2:8):
a. cf. Murder trial of slain transgender teenager Gwen Araujo in Hayward, CA.
b. Although much TG is not as dramatic and drastic as surgery, it is equally disturbing: cross-dressing and hormonal treatments to increase and/or decrease physical gender traits, etc. (Eph. 5:12).
3. We are being conditioned in America to be sympathetic towards TG people (TV shows, movies…).
a. Human rights issue: Proposed laws against discrimination of TG (cf. Eugene, OR proposal).
b. We will be accused of being insensitive, homophobic bigots as the result of these comments.
c. Strange that those who don’t want to be judged for being transgender will judge you for the opposite view. (Matt. 7:1-2; Jno. 7:24)
4. God knows and judges our heart: Like Jesus, we desire their repentance and salvation (cf. Lk. 19:10; Rom. 10:1).
Question: Is it acceptable to change your sex? … It’s clear in the Bible that homosexuality is a sin, but how would you address against transgender people?
-No, it is not acceptable in God’s sight; it is sin.
1. Because God created gender, giving males and females unique, vital and distinct identities and roles.
a. Creation of gender, Gen. 1:27.
b. Gender differences requires for reproduction of the human race, Gen. 1:28.
c. God blessed gender differences as unique and vital, giving identity and defining roles, Gen. 2:18-22.
d. Nature teaches that transgender conduct is sinful, Rom. 1:26-27 (9:20-21).
2. Some of the effects of transgender behavior:
a. Disregards our God-given gender (and their differences), cf. Deut. 22:5; 1 Cor. 11:14-15.
b. Provides for and promotes the sin of homosexuality, Lev. 18:22; 20:13.
c. Shows evidence of discontent, lust, lack of self-control, self-defined living, Rom. 1:24.
d. Dishonors marriage and the home as ordained by God, Gen. 2:23-24; Heb. 13:4 (Eph. 6:2).
-Illustration of two lesbians who say they are not in a lesbian relation because one is already a man on the inside… (More ammunition for same-sex marriage!).
3. Some of the defenses offered to justify transgender behavior:
a. “People are born that way.”
1) Then, God is responsible (Eccl. 11:5; Jas. 1:13-15).
2) This removes personal responsibility for the choices being made. (Eccl. 7:29; Jas. 1:16)
b. “God looks at the heart” (1 Sam. 16:7) (Illustration from question paper).
1) Say they are really a man (or a woman) on the inside.
2) 1 Sam. 16:7: God sees one’s character, motives and will: Not discussing gender.
3) God forms the person and knows his/her identity before birth, Jer. 1:5.
c. “We are just accommodating what we already are on the inside.”
-Illus. from question paper (last paragraph).
1) No, TG behavior accommodates choices made on the inside (in one’s heart), Prov. 23:7; 3:1-8.
a) “If God made you a particular sex, shouldn’t you stay with that, no matter how you feel on the inside?”
b) Yes.
2) Christ calls on us to change the heart (inside) and reflect that change in our lives (outside), Eph. 4:17-24 (Ezek. 18:31-32: Get yourself a new heart and a new spirit) -Repentance-
4. Contrast and summary of Bible versus Transgender behavior:
|
BIBLE |
TRANSGENDER |
|
Gender created and assigned at birth (Gen. 1:27; 1 Cor. 11:12) |
Gender distinctions evolved (Rom. 1:20-22) |
|
Gender identity from birth (cf. Gen. 4:1, “male”) |
Gender is self-defined (Feelings, emotions, desires, impulses, etc.) |
|
God knows gender before birth We are not born with wrong gender (rare cases of “intersex”) - (Psa. 139:13-16) |
“God made me this way…I can’t help it!” (Illus. – Dr. described a woman had been born with a ‘bad birth defect’ = she had a female body!) |
|
Gender differences to be honored and maintained (Deut. 22:5; 1 Cor. 11:14) |
Gender distinction self-defined; Self is honored (Rom. 1:25, 28; 2 Tim. 3:2, 4) |
|
Gender roles defined by God; all to honor (1 Cor. 11:3) |
Gender roles defined by the individual/society (The fruit of humanism and hedonism) |
|
People can change their hearts to conform their lives to holy living (1 Pet. 4:1-3; 1:13-16) |
There is no sin; people should satisfy themselves (cf. 1 Cor. 6:13, 15-20) |
Conclusion
1. Temptations (and even tendencies) of sin are not insurmountable; ultimately, we choose what our character and conduct. You choose the person you will be. (Jas. 4:7-10)
2. We must uphold the honor and distinction of male and female; not destroy it by the lusts, longings and lewdness of men (Rom. 13:11-14).