A Biblical View of Gender

Many of the most passionate disagreements in our culture are related to gender. When we turn on the news, we hear about pride parades, bathroom controversies, transgender athletes, and drag queen story hour. Our social media feeds are filled with stories that promote fear and anger about these issues. Lots of people talk about gender today. Unfortunately, there is more heat than light.
These issues are not just cultural or political; they are also deeply personal. In our families, schools, and workplaces, we interact with people who identify in ways that do not match their biological sex. These are people we know and love. And it’s not just nonbelievers, many faithful Christians also feel deeply uncomfortable in their male or female bodies.
The cultural and personal factors make it very difficult for us to talk about gender well. With this state of affairs, we might be tempted to stick our heads in the stand, but followers of Jesus, who are called to love God and love our neighbors, can’t afford to avoid hard conversations.
But the way we talk about these things should be very different from the way that others talk about them. When Christians speak, we should speak with the with the accent of heaven instead of the echo of our culture wars. We shouldn’t assume that all our current beliefs about gender already align with God’s heart. What we say about gender should be more informed by our faith than our political tribes. Our view on gender issues should be distinctly Christian.
Today I will share what I pray is a biblically faithful response to our modern gender challenges. In this time of confusion about sexuality and gender, followers of Jesus need to clearly declare God's truth about our bodies and compassionately care for those who struggle with their physical identity. First, we will look at some Biblical principles related to gender and our bodies. Then we will discuss how Christians can support and care for the people we encounter who feel uncomfortable with their biological sex.
But before we do that, we need to think about terminology. Terms like, “non-binary”, “sex assigned at birth”, and “queer-gender” are regularly used in the public square, and new terms related to gender seem to multiply by the day. Often the language people use is intended to push us toward certain conclusions. Old terms have also taken on new meanings. Historically, gender was synonymous with the idea of biological sex - someone's genetic, physical identity as male or female. Today the term gender is often used to describe the characteristics and social behaviors that are associated with being male or female.
As we begin this morning, there are two significant terms I want to define, gender dysphoria and transgender. What is gender dysphoria? Gender dysphoria is the emotional distress that occurs when people feel out of place in their male or female body. Some people feel uncomfortable with their biological sex and identify more with the opposite sex. Gender dysphoria is not generally a choice people make, it is an experience that people have.
Someone who is transgender, or trans, is a biological man or woman who identifies as belonging to the opposite sex. This is the “T” in the LGBTQ acronym. Sometimes these people take hormones or change the appearance of their body through surgery - though many others do not. People who adopt the transgender label are incredibly diverse. We can’t make assumptions when someone calls themselves trans. We should seek to understand their own experience.
If we look in the Bible for mentions of gender dysphoria or transgender identity, we won't find any because these are modern concepts that will undoubtedly continue to change over time. It is important for us to understand how people are talking about gender today, but this morning, as much as possible, I want to talk about these things using biblical categories and language.
But before we begin, I want to speak directly to those who experience gender dysphoria or who identify as transgender. I know that many of you have been hurt by religious people who neither understood your experience nor cared to learn about it. I am so sorry for that, and I am honored that you chose to listen to this message, either in person or online. I know I will not say all I want to say in this message perfectly, and so in advance, I ask for your grace.
Now to everyone, if I say something today that raises concerns, I want to hear about those concerns. It is my hope is that this message would start many conversations, so please come talk to me or send me an email if you are more comfortable with that. So, let’s begin now by looking at five key biblical principles.
Our Bodies are Good Gifts from God
Christians believe that God is our Creator, and the book of Genesis says, “And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good.” (Genesis 1:31a) While some people believe that our bodies are biological accidents, Scripture teaches that our bodies were intentionally made by God. Our bodies are not just containers for our souls, they are good gifts from our good God.
Because we believe this, Christians should reject any belief system that sets us against our bodies. The ancient heresy of Gnosticism claimed that human bodies were inherently bad because they were created by an evil deity. Similarly, some modern philosophies suggest that our bodies may be obstacles to becoming our true selves. In the Bible, our bodies are not primarily seen as obstacles, hindrances, or accidents. They are not barriers to becoming our true selves, they are a good, eternal part of what it means to be human. We also see in Scripture that
God Made Our Bodies Sexually Different
When made us God created two distinct types - male and female. Genesis 1:27 states, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him, male and female he created them.” Though we are different, men and women have equal value because they both reflect God’s image.
All creatures reproduce, but only when discussing people does Genesis one talk specifically about sexual difference. This sexual difference is crucial for people to "be fruitful and multiply”. Sexual difference is an intentional design by God that enables our productivity, usefulness, and gives us the ability to "fill the earth and subdue it". Our unique embodiment as men and women is not insignificant; it's an essential part of God's good design. But…
Our Bodies, and Minds are Fallen
The story of God's good creation in Genesis chapter one takes a dark turn in chapter three. When the first man and woman rebelled against their Creator, it had disastrous consequences. When the Lord sought Adam, he confessed, "...I was afraid because I was naked, so I hid myself" (Genesis 3:10).
Sin has both corrupted our bodies and polluted our minds. There were physical consequences to sin. Eve would have pain in childbirth (Genesis 3:16), and Adam would toil in pain while working the ground for food (Genesis 3:17). Ultimately, their bodies would eventually die and return to the ground from which they were made (Genesis 3:19). The Book of Genesis describes a universal truth: the way we experience and connect with our bodies is broken. Whether we have male or female bodies, we all feel the effects of this brokenness.
But the brokenness people experience is not just physical. After sinning, the first humans immediately felt like something was wrong with them. As their descendants, we too struggle with feelings of shame and insecurity. Scripture teaches that our emotions, and longings have also been warped by sin. Our desires will often lead us toward things that dishonor our Creator and harm us. The things we want are often not the good things God wants for us.
And when our bodies and minds are fallen, we are unable to relate to our bodies like we should. Christians shouldn’t be surprised when someone says that they were born in the wrong body, because, in a sense, we all were. Our current bodies and minds are broken, and we long to be made whole. Romans 8:23 says, “...we ourselves, …groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.” Our groans are not all the same, but all of us groan because we are fallen. But even in this broken state…
How We Treat Our Bodies Matters to God
God cares what we do with our bodies because he made us, but Scripture also gives us another reason why what we do with bodies matters to God: The Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, lives in us. In 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 we read; “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” (ESV)
Because God lives in us, we are called to honor our bodies and use them to bring glory to him. Paul wrote this to help Christians understand the seriousness of sexual sin. But this principle has far-reaching implications. Our bodies are not primarily a canvas for our self-expression, they are gifts given to us by God for serving Him. We're stewards, not owners.
This idea of God’s ownership might shock us, but it's crucial to remember that the One who made us and redeemed us is defined by his sacrificial love. In Jesus, God offered His own body on the cross for our redemption. His body was broken so ours could be restored and made perfect. Even as we ache and groan in our physical imperfection, we can trust His good plan for our bodies. And…
Through Our Bodies, God Reveals His Will for Us
God communicates His will to us through His written Word, God has also revealed himself “in the things that have been made” (Romans 1:20). His power and goodness are seen in the beauty of the natural world. And when he gave us our bodies, God was also communicating what he wants for us.
For instance, The Bible teaches us that the only God-approved context for sexual intercourse is between a man and a woman in marriage. We see this in the positive vision Scripture shares of marriage and the passages that prohibit same-sex sexual expression. Romans 1:26-27 specifically labels same-sex sexual activity as "unnatural." When he made us, God created male bodies to naturally complement female bodies.
And this is important – the sexual boundaries God has put in place require us to determine who is a man and who is a woman. If we can subjectively decide if we are a man or a woman, God’s standards for our sexual behavior become meaningless. Now, I want to be clear that marriage and family are not the only path to thriving as men and women. Our maleness and femaleness are also expressed fully and beautifully when we serve God in singleness.
But our different bodies do reveal something about God’s unique purpose for us. Pastor Todd Wilson helpfully summarizes what this means for Christians; “By virtue of being created in the image of God as male or female, you have a call on your life; you have a vocation. It is your most basic vocation, your most fundamental job in life: joyfully embrace and faithfully embody your sexuality – whether male or female – for the good of others.” But it’s not just physical differences that are meaningful…
Culturally Specific Sex Differences are Valuable
Outward, visible differences between men and women, like appearance and dress, vary across cultures. The way men and women dress in modern America differs from how they dressed in Japan two hundred years ago. Even with these cultural differences, Scripture suggests that how men and women present themselves matters.
The passage that most clearly speaks to this concern is Deuteronomy 22:5: "A woman shall not wear a man's garment, nor shall a man put on a woman's cloak, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the LORD your God." Here, the focus appears to be not simply sharing clothing like coats or t-shirts, but deliberately dressing with the intention of being perceived as a member of the opposite sex. (It seems doubtful that the Lord would forbid a Hebrew man from lending his cloak to his wife on a rainy day.)
The Apostle Paul raises another concern in 1 Corinthians 11. Here, he encourages women to wear head coverings during corporate worship. While this passage is challenging for us to understand today, what seems clear, in the Old Testament and the New, is that it is important to maintain culturally relevant distinctions in appearance. Fashion shifts and customs change, but even then, the way men and women present themselves matters.
At this point, we have covered a lot of theological ground very quickly, but now we need to talk about how we can compassionately care for those around us who feel deep discomfort with their male or female bodies. Most people experiencing gender dysphoria have never chosen to feel discomfort with their bodies. Telling a trans person that they have a social contagion or that their minds have been warped by progressive propaganda is unlikely win their trust or help them see the beauty of Christ.
There are a lot of reasons why someone might experience gender dysphoria, and we can’t talk about those this morning. Our job is to show the love of Jesus, even when we don’t know why. So, let’s talk about how we can love, support, and offer guidance to those experiencing gender dysphoria. Here are five principles we should keep in mind:
Recognize the Painful Experiences of Others
Many Christians worry that showing sincere compassion will lead to moral compromise, but this isn't true. Holding fast to God’s truth doesn't mean we should downplay the suffering of others. Many people deeply struggle with their physical identity, and when we ignore this, we fail to love them as God loves us.
The discomfort felt by those experiencing gender dysphoria can be overwhelming. Even simple actions like looking in a mirror can trigger severe distress. Many of these individuals intentionally avoid formal events where they're expected to dress in strongly gendered ways because it's deeply uncomfortable for them. If we disregard the pain of those with gender dysphoria, we won’t be able to gain their trust or help them see the beauty of Christ.
Now, accepting someone's painful experience doesn't mean we need to agree with everything they say. While we might disagree with how someone handles their pain, we should recognize their suffering. Compassion that ignores reality isn't genuinely loving, but we don’t have to choose between compassion and truth.
Separate Biblical Requirements from Cultural Norms
Our culture has developed gender expectations that go beyond what the Bible teaches. For instance, Scripture doesn't require women to wear makeup or carry purses, nor does it require men to drive muscle cars or play sports. While these activities might be more common in one sex or another, they aren't moral obligations.
We shouldn’t force people with gender dysphoria to conform to extreme masculine or feminine standards. In our society, people present themselves in a wide variety of ways while still identifying as male or female. It's possible to embrace diverse styles while still honoring the God-ordained distinction between men and women.
In the Bible, men and women exhibit a wide range of interests and personalities. Scripture portrays men who are artistic and emotional, as well as women who demonstrate strength and leadership. God also commands all Christians to have traits like meekness and gentleness.
If our expectations for gendered behavior are too rigid, we might actually push some people to believe they belong to the opposite sex. By providing room for men and women to express their diverse gifts and interests, we affirm the image of God within them. We should celebrate the goodness of God’s creation of us as men and women; while also celebrating the unique way he has made each person.
Remember God’s Purpose in Our Suffering
We saw earlier in Scripture that we all ache while waiting for the redemption of our bodies (Romans 8:23). One day God will resurrect, redeem, and restore our broken bodies to perfection, but that will only happen at the return of Christ. God hasn't promised to eliminate all our pain in this life. When the Apostle Paul pleaded for physical deliverance, the Lord responded, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9). While we live with enduring pain, Christians can be sure that all our pain will be redeemed. Furthermore, God shows his great power through us in the very moments when we feel most powerless.
Many of us find it challenging to stand with anyone who is enduring suffering. However, when we're tempted to withdraw, God calls us to lean in. We must bear "one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ" (Galatians 6:2). We need to learn how to sit, listen, and not try to fix the person who is suffering.
As Christians, we're called to walk alongside those enduring persistent suffering. But it is also deeply Christian to want to eliminate human suffering. Throughout the gospels, we repeatedly see Jesus moved with compassion when encountering suffering individuals, and His followers are called to reflect His character. So, it is essential for us to…
Evaluate Common Treatments with Biblical Principles
While followers of Jesus should seek to alleviate suffering, not all ways of doing this are morally acceptable. If we want to know how we should respond to human suffering, must apply God’s truth. In our world today, there are two primary recommendations offered to those who experience gender dysphoria - social transition and medical transition. So, let’s look at those options through the lens of Scripture.
Social Gender Transition
It is common for people who experience gender dysphoria to change their names and present themselves as members of the opposite sex. As I said a moment ago, there is a lot of freedom for different styles. But as I study Scripture, I am convinced that we should not try to present ourselves as members of the opposite sex. I believe we should seek to present ourselves in ways that align with the bodies we have been given.
Many people who identify as transgender transition socially, and a minority of people who identify as transgender also transition medically. So, let’s talk about…
Medical Gender Transition
Medical and surgical developments have fueled the rise of transgender identification and given us the ability to modify our bodies in significant ways. Because of the Scripture passages I shared earlier, I believe that medical transition is morally problematic. Our aim should be to live in harmony with the bodies God has given us, rather than attempting to change them unnaturally. The discomfort we may experience with our bodies should not lead us to mimic the physical appearance of the opposite sex.
The medical care we offer should not cause unnecessary harm. There is a difference between removing a cancerous tumor and amputating a healthy limb. Hormonal and surgical responses to gender dysphoria clearly harm otherwise healthy bodies. This should trouble Christians because we are called to be good stewards of the bodies God has given us.
Now, sometimes life-preserving medical treatments come with negative side effects. To treat his prostate cancer, my dad was given hormone blockers to slow the spread of the cancer. Some people would argue the same principle is in play with transgender medical procedures. But I believe that the respect we have for the bodies God has given us should limit the treatments we offer to those who are suffering with severe psychological challenges. A person with anorexia might want diet pills, but that desire doesn’t mean that prescribing those pills would be right.
I want to talk now about transgender trends in our culture today. Historically, most reported cases of gender dysphoria were with biological males. But over the last 15 years or so, there has been a massive increase in the number of teen girls identifying as transgender. In many of these recent cases, it appears that peers and cultural influences have played a significant role. It became socially validating to be trans, and many hurting young people grabbed on to this identity.
During this time many caring parents consented to significant medical interventions for their children because they were told that their child would take their own life if they did not allow them to medically transition. Tens of thousands of teenagers were prescribed blockers or cross-sex hormones and thousands of minors were given gender surgeries here in the US. It is becoming increasingly clear that this rush to medical transition has been a massive mistake.
The National Health Service in England recently changed its policies and restricted medical gender treatments in minors. Europe is moving away from this. The medical associations here in the United States have been slower to shift, but the president of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons recently said that there is “no good evidence” to support teen gender surgeries. The emerging scholarly consensus rejects these extreme medical treatments for children.
Parents, and grandparents, I want to share something with you that I heard straight from a professional counselor who has cared for many transgender teens. When you show genuine love and empathy to your kids, even when you disagree, the risk of suicide plumets. What they need most is not gender affirmation, its unconditional love. That makes all the difference.
There are both theological and evidential reasons to resist medical gender transition, but what are some other biblically faithful ways we can respond in cases of gender dysphoria? There can be an appropriate role for medications that treat emotional distress. Many people who experience mental and emotional challenges benefit tremendously from psychiatric medications. We should use these with care, but they may offer some relief in cases of gender dysphoria.
Followers of Jesus can also care for their brothers and sisters who experience gender dysphoria in other ways. We can be aware of situations that trigger their dysphoria and proactively check in with them to see how they are doing. Sex-specific discipleship environments like Women’s Bible study are important, but we should also provide spaces were men and women can grow spiritually together. These mixed environments like ABCs and small groups may be more comfortable spaces for some people. But the most powerful way we can care for those who experience gender dysphoria is…
Extend A Gospel Welcome to All People
Romans 15:7 says; “Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” Followers of Jesus must boldly offer a gospel welcome to all people, including those who identify as transgender. Our gospel welcome says that Jesus invites all people to follow him without exception. No matter how they look or what they have done, suffering sinners are invited to follow a Savior who sacrificed himself so they could be set free. Our gospel welcome also says that those who turn to Jesus must repent from past sin and place their ultimate identity in him. Following him requires us to take up our own cross, but we can be sure that everything we give up in our pursuit of him will be utterly worth it. Finally, our gospel welcome says that those who follow Jesus are welcomed into a spiritual family where they are given support, and they experience sacrificial love. Within Jesus’ family, burdens and blessings are graciously shared.
As we proclaim and live out the good news about Jesus, our church will include people who experience gender dysphoria. These people will be at various points in their spiritual journeys. It's our responsibility to support them and help bear their burdens. If you are someone who experiences gender dysphoria, I want this church to be a place where you can be honest about what you face. God has a plan for your healing, and you are wanted here. I know that trust needs to be earned, and I hope that you will give us a chance to earn that trust.
Gender dysphoria is a unique experience with unique challenges, and those of us who haven’t experienced it shouldn’t make assumptions about what it is like. But physical brokenness is not restricted to those who experience gender dysphoria. This is one of the many aches that we experience as we await the redemption of our bodies. None of us relate to our bodies as we should. But even as we suffer in our embodiment, we can be assured that God’s plan for us as men and women is good. Because of the resurrection of Jesus, we know that one day our bodies and our minds will be fully renewed and perfectly aligned. Until then followers of Jesus can look forward in hope as we run toward our heavenly prize. Let’s Pray.

I am so thankful you joined us this morning as we worshiped God and talked about an important topic. The reason I spoke about gender is that last year the elders asked me to prepare a pastoral guidance paper. This paper describes many of the themes I spoke about today, and if you would like to read it, we have printed copies available at the welcome desk.
If you want to think more about these things, I have two books to recommend – the book Embodied by Preston Sprinkle and the book Parenting Without Panic in an LGBT Affirming World by Rachel Gilson. Both are excellent resources. Embodied is available in our church library. Parenting Without Panic is a new release, so you may have to order that.