Does your gospel transcend transgenderism?
The internet is abuzz about Caitlyn Jenner, formerly Bruce. Some are disgusted while others see this as a watershed moment to continue advancing the cause of LGBTQ equality. Regardless of one’s gender, or sexual identity, the issue at hand is humanity. God created both genders, male and female (Genesis 1:27). God’s purpose was for humanity to reproduce and flourish in society, as seen in the cultural mandate (Genesis 1:28; 2:15). We can also believe that if there is a God, then what makes one God is good creations and wise actions. Therefore, God does not make mistakes. Humanity is “fearfully and wonderfully made” by a beautiful and perfect Sovereign (Psalm 139:14).

So, when we speak about Jenner, male or female, we are speaking about a person created in the image of God. Further, the New Testament picture reveals that Jenner is someone Jesus died for and seeks to redeem. Like Jenner, we all have tainted the image of God in our humanity; “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). While transgenderism is a category that may arouse apathy, aversion, or affirmation, we can all identify with Jenner in the category of being lost and looking for acceptance.

This is where the gospel of Jesus Christ enters the picture. Jesus was a friend of sinners (Matthew 9:11). Jesus came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10). Jesus’ death was for the sin of the whole world (John 3:16; 1John 2:2). The gospel of Jesus transcends every category of sin under the sun. There is no sin too great or far removed which grace is not stronger to overcome and forgive (Romans 5:20). Christians should not fade or fear in today’s culture, the gospel of Jesus transcends even transgenderism.

The cultural priority will be to ask, “Why is transgenderism, or any sexual orientation or preference, a sin?” The answer goes back to foundational belief about God as Creator. If one affirms God as God then created gender has meaning. Our modern culture has sought to devalue and deconstruct the meaning of gender. The idea is that male and female have zero representative differences and should be removed from any definitive discussion topic. Yet, the transgender movement is unavoidably linked to gender meaningfulness. The ideological views of the movements are now becoming more clearly contradictory. In other words, if gender is meaningless then why should one’s feelings or preferences for a specific gender have any moral credence?[1]

In essence, we are living in a culture seeking to remove any sense of foundational morality, much less logic. We are turning away from our Creator not just with our bodies, but with our minds. The sin nature profoundly affects every part of our humanity. And yet, the grace of God is available to each one of us.

Christians, this is a time not to throw stones but to extend humility and grace. Our sin does not smell or appear any better than someone else’s sin before God. Let us look in the mirror and remember that an impure church will never reach in impure world. As Christians stand before a watching world, we do not lift up our righteousness but our repentance. Our humble repentance becomes a model for other sinners to see salvation in Jesus and not our moral and political values. The Christian’s goal is not to win a culture war but to proclaim a coming kingdom. Therefore, Christians are to proclaim truth with tenderness, and trusting the Spirit’s role to do what our arguments cannot.

Maranatha.

[1] To further this insight see: http://thefederalist.com/2015/06/03/bruce-jenners-transformation-is-a-lose-lose-for-leftists/ and also http://news.yahoo.com/jon-stewart-caitlyn-jenner-daily-show-video-144011784.html#