Meeting the Transgender Challenge

Introduction

                  • The transgender tipping-point!

1.          Unpacking Transgender

                  a) Transgender experience

                  b) Transgender ideology

                  c) The interplay between them

2.         What does the Bible say?

                  a) Sex and gender in the beginning

                  b) Sex and gender in the end

                  c) Sex and gender in the middle

3.         How should we respond?

                  a) A word to those who are afflicted

                  b) A word to those who are concerned

                  c) A word to church communities

Conclusion

                  • Grace and truth in practice

Recommended reading:

Allberry, Sam. What God Has to Say about Our Bodies: How the Gospel Is Good News for Our Physical Selves. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2021.

Anderson, Ryan T. When Harry Became Sally: Responding to the Transgender Moment. New York: Encounter Books, 2018.

Branch, J Alan. Affirming God’s Image: Addressing the Transgender Question with Science and Scripture. Bellingham: Lexham, 2019.

Fox, Angus. “When Sons Become Daughter.” A Seven-Part Series of Articles. Quillette (April-June, 2021): https://quillette.com/author/angus-fox.

“Gender Identity.” Social Issues Committee Report (Anglican Diocese of Sydney, 2017): https://www.sds.asn.au/sites/default/files/Gender%20Identity.Report2017.FINAL.v2.pdf?doc_id=NTU2MTI.

James, Sharon. Gender Ideology: What Do Christians Need to Know? Fearn: Christian Focus Publications, 2019.

Joyce, Helen. Trans: When Ideology Meets Reality. London: Oneworld Publications, 2021. 

Pearcey, Nancy. Love Thy Body: Answering Hard Questions about Life and Sexuality. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2018.

Roberts, Vaughan. Transgender. Epsom, UK: Good Book, 2016.

Shrier, Abigail. Irreversible Damage: The Transgender Craze Seducing Our Daughters. Washington, D.C.: Regnery Publishing, 2020.

Smith, Robert S. How Should We Think about Gender and Identity? Bellingham: Lexham, 2022.

Smith, Robert S. “Discipleship and the Transgender Convert: Issues and Proposals.” Eikon (Fall 2019): 60-74:https://cbmw.org/2019/11/20/discipleship-and-the-transgengender-convert-issues-and-proposals.

Smith, Robert S. “Body, Soul, and Gender Identity: Thinking Theologically About Human Constitution.” Eikon 3, no. 2 (Fall 2021): 27–37. https://cbmw.org/2021/11/21/body-soul-and-gender-identity-thinking-theologically-about-human-constitution.

Sprinkle, Preston. Embodied: Transgender Identities, the Church & What the Bible Has to Say. Colorado Springs: David C. Cook, 2021.

Stock, Kathleen. Material Girls: Why Reality Matters for Feminism. London: Fleet, 2021.

Walker, Andrew. God and the Transgender Debate: What Does the Bible Actually Say About Gender Identity? Epsom, UK: Good Book, 2022.

Yarhouse, Mark A. Understanding Gender Dysphoria: Navigating Transgender Issues in a Changing Culture. Downers Grove: IVP, 2015.

Yarhouse, Mark A. and Julia Sadusky. Emerging Gender Identities: Understanding the Diverse Experiences of Today’s Youth. Grand Rapids: Brazos, 2020.

Recommended websites/podcast:

Parents concerned about the medicalization of gender-atypical youth and rapid-onset gender dysphoria (ROGD): https://4thwavenow.com

On the social and medical ‘transitioning’ of children: https://www.transgendertrend.com

An international alliance of professional groups, parents, trans people, detransitioners, and others who favour a “body affirmative” approach to gender issues: https://genspect.org

Stella O’Malley & Sasha Ayad: “Gender: A Wider Lens”: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/gender-a-wider-lens-podcast/id1542655295