In America today, we live in the unashamed culture of the sexual revolution. What was once considered immoral is now celebrated. As christians we have a responsibility to, at the very least, research the topics around this shift in our culture. Without disclosing any private details, my wife and I have had more than one situation where we have been challenged to learn and better understand how we are to view same sex attraction, homosexuality, and transgenderism. This was one of the first books we ordered around these topics hoping it would biblically address the issue of gender dysphoria. We were not disappointed. Dr. Andrew Walker does an excellent job of addressing this issue in his biblically saturated book God and the Transgender Debate.
Often, I believe authors skim over the necessary context in order to talk about the thesis of their conviction to write. Walker, however, patiently and beautifully takes his time to walk the reader through what will be necessary to understand his opinion (cultural viewpoints, language surrounding the topic, etc.) regarding this ever-prevalent cultural debate. Never have I read a book where the author so carefully walks through the biological and psychological facts around their subject with such a humble and loving attitude. While Walker does interject at times to insert relevant commentary on said data, he doesn’t recklessly or connivingly use this presentation to push his agenda. He calmly walks through the significant language and context you will need to understand what is really happening in this discussion.
“When it comes to speaking truth, showing compassion, and seeking justice, the church should be leading, not following. “
God and the Transgender Debate does an excellent job of gracefully traveling through and presenting what people like myself have never experienced, and probably haven’t put enough thought into. This book brings to light how people struggling with gender dysphoria are searching for the same thing that everyone else is: wholeness. Walker acknowledges that everyone, including people with gender dysphoria are surrounded with whirlwind of feelings everyday. Some feelings are good and healthy. Other feelings are destructive and sinful. This book reminds us that while no one can achieve total fulfillment through things of this world, Christ did it for us. No matter what sinful feelings we struggle with, our identity is not in our feelings. Rather, our identity is in Christ Jesus.
This book was a great reminder that just as we are made in God’s image, so are those who are conflicted by their gender identity. God and the Transgender Debate taught me as much about loving my neighbor as it did about the biblical view of transgenderism. We owe people who struggle with gender identity conflict what all Christians owe their neighbor: love. Later in the book Dr. Walker even dedicates an entire chapter to answering the practical questions everyday people ask about this topic (questions about pronouns, schools, parenting, and more). While I didn’t necessarily agree with wholeheartedly with some of his answers to these questions, Walker himself states that his answers aren’t facts. His answers are simply his personal opinions and convictions.
This book will be helpful to pastors, parents, and even those who are struggling with gender dysphoria themselves. This is a great resource for people exploring where Christianity meets culture. I highly recommend this book.
Comments