Helps Christians engage lovingly, thoughtfully and faithfully with one of the biggest cultural discussions of our day.
What is transgender and gender fluidity? What does God's Word actually say about these issues? How can the gospel be good news for someone experiencing gender dysphoria? How should churches respond?
This warm, faithful and careful book helps Christians understand what the Bible says about gender identity. It will help us to engage lovingly, thoughtfully and faithfully with one of the most explosive cultural discussions of our day.
If you want to learn more and love better, and are open to considering what God has to say about sex and gender, this hope-filled book is for you.
Includes a section looking at practical questions including:
- Can someone be transgender and Christian?
- Should I mind if people who are biologically the other sex are in my restroom?
- What should church leaders do if a congregation member asks for their child to be identified as the opposite gender?
- Is it true that Christian teaching is harmful and can lead to depression and higher suicide rates?
- What about people who are born intersex?
Andrew T Walker is the Director of Policy Studies for the Ethics and Religious Liberties Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention.
Foreword by R. Albert Mohler Jr
1. He Had Compassion
2. How We Got to Where We Are
3. The Language
4. On Making a Decision
5. Well-Designed
6. Beauty and Brokenness
7. A Better Future
8. Love Your Neighbor
9. No Easy Paths
10. Challenging the Church
11. Speaking to Children
12. Tough Questions
13. Open Hands
| Contributors | Andrew T. Walker |
|---|---|
| ISBN | 9781784981785 |
| Format | Paperback |
| Dimensions | 135mm x 216mm x 15mm |
| Weight | 0.23 kg |
| Language | English |
| Pages | 176 |
| Publisher | The Good Book Company |
The transgender debate is one that easily arouses passions – on both sides. With gospel clarity and Christ-like compassion, Andrew Walker skilfully navigates a path between the folly of affirming transgenderism and the cruelty of dismissing the distress of those who experience gender incongruence. In so doing, he helps us to see why the gospel of Jesus Christ is good news for the transgendered and how Scripture equips the church for the good work of loving the LGBTQ community. I highly commend this clear-headed and warm-hearted introduction to one of the most challenging issues of our time.
This will not be the last word on this complex experience but the author’s tender application of God’s Word to our muddled lives today should make this book one of the first places to turn for Christ-like grace and truth as we seek to love all our neighbours as ourselves.
This book puts the hand of the suffering into the hands of the Savior, and therefore, this is the book that I will put into the hands of parents struggling to know how God’s word speaks into loving a child who struggles with gender-identity issues. In addition to its loving pastoral care and biblical family guidance, this book models how to discern the times, and to respond with Christian hope.
Andrew Walker has done the church a great service. … All Christians, but especially pastors and elders, must think clearly, faithfully, and lovingly on the transgender issue—and for that reason, should read this book.... continue reading
There is certainly no doubt that following the high-profile transitions of Bruce Jenner to Caitlyn, of film directors Andy and Larry Wachowski to Lilly and Lana, and boxing promoter Frank Maloney to Kellie, issues concerning gender and gender dysphoria have never been more in the public eye.
Walker claims that, too often, Christians have been on the back foot and have been too slow in responding to these social changes – and, above all, in responding well to the individuals involved. He wrote his book so that Christians might understand, love and relate to transgender people (and to the wider culture) in a biblically-authentic manner.... continue reading
There aren’t many areas of Christian theology where you might say “We don’t have enough books about that.” For a while now, though, we’ve been crying out for resources to help us reflect on and respond to the transgender movement. We are still far from having enough, but Andrew T. Walker’s book has plugged an important gap.... continue reading
Two things stood out for me while reading this book. First, Dr. Walker’s compassion and generosity of spirit, demonstrating his sincere desire to know and do the will of God, shines through this book. Second, Dr. Walker doesn’t know what transgenderism is. From his definition early in the book to examples throughout (e.g., the story about the man who claimed he was a “6’5” tall Chinese woman”), the writer proves that he doesn’t understand the condition that transgender people suffer nor the experiences they live through. The danger of this is that it can be a “blind guide” (Matt. 15:14) leading to confusion, division, and pastoral and missional failure. Christians would do better to access Lead Them Home ministries; or read “Understanding Gender Dysphoria,” by Mark Yarhouse, which provides a much better understanding of what it means to be transgender. Better yet, reach out and befriend actual transgender people, especially transgender Christians. Get to know them and understand them first-hand, rather than depending on teachers who, no matter how well-meaning, don’t understand the issue they’re teaching about.
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