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) & fulfillment for the complimenting & completing of men & women (Gen. 2:18, 25; Heb. 13:4; 1 Cor. 7:3-4). Today, there is a new & 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 & is fueled & supported by the medical & psychological communities, government & 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 & drastic as surgery, it is equally disturbing: cross-dressing & 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 & judges our heart: We like Jesus, desire & their repentance & 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 & females unique, vital & distinct identities & 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 & vital, giving identity & 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 & 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 & 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 & will: Not discussing gender!
3) God forms the person & 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) & reflect that change in our lives (outside), Eph. 4:17-24 (Ezek. 18:31-32: Get yourself a new heart & a new spirit!) -Repentance-
4. Contrast & summary of Bible versus Transgender behavior:
|
BIBLE |
TRANSGENDER |
|
Gender created & 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 & 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 & 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 & conduct. You choose the person you will be! (Jas. 4:7-10)
2. We must uphold the honor & distinction of male & female; not destroy it by the lusts, longings & lewdness of men (Rom. 13:11-14).