The Bible does not specifically address the modern concept of transgenderism or cross-dressing, but it does have some relevant teachings that can provide wisdom on this topic. Here is an overview of 9000 words on what the Bible says about cross-dressing and related issues:
God Created Humanity Male and Female
The Bible teaches that God intentionally created humanity as 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.” This affirms that the distinction between male and female is part of God’s purposeful design in creation.
Some key implications of this teaching are:
– God has established an order and complementarity between male and female that reflects something of who He is (Genesis 1:27). This order is seen in the family structure and male-female marriage that God institutes (Genesis 2:24).
– Biological sex is not incidental, but an integral part of what it means to be human, part of being made in God’s image. Our maleness and femaleness is not something arbitrary, but an essential aspect of human nature embedded in us by our Creator.
– Efforts to alter our God-given maleness or femaleness through cross-dressing or sex change procedures reject God’s design and resist how He originally made us. This seems to contradict the Bible’s call to accept how God has formed us (Romans 9:20-21).
Maintaining Distinctions Between the Sexes
In the Old Testament, God put in place various laws that were intended to uphold the distinction between male and female. For example:
– Deuteronomy 22:5 states, “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.” This prohibited cross-dressing as it blurred the lines between male and female.
– Only men were permitted to serve in certain roles like priest (Leviticus 21:17-24) and king (Deuteronomy 17:14-20). And women were restricted from some roles during ceremonial uncleanness (Leviticus 12:1-8). This upheld gender roles.
– Clothing styles and hair lengths were to differ between men and women (1 Corinthians 11:14-15). This prevented confusing masculine and feminine appearances.
While Christians debate how universally to apply some of these Old Testament laws today, they do reflect a principle of maintaining clear distinctions between male and female, rather than blurring the lines that God established at creation. Efforts to appear as the opposite sex could be viewed as resisting God’s design.
Prohibitions Against Homosexual Behavior
The desire to appear as the opposite sex is often driven by homosexual attraction. But the Bible consistently prohibits all homosexual practice as sinful:
– Old Testament Levitical law classified homosexuality as an “abomination” (Leviticus 18:22; 20:13) that defiled the land (18:24-30). The punishment was death (20:13).
– In Romans 1:26-27, homosexual behavior is called “dishonorable,” “contrary to nature,” and “shameless.”
– 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 identifies homosexuality as immoral and says it will not inherit the kingdom of God.
– 1 Timothy 1:10 lists homosexuality among sins contrary to sound doctrine.
So while the Bible does not directly address transgenderism, it does prohibit the homosexual behavior that motivates much cross-dressing and sex change efforts.
Living According to God’s Will and Design
As beings created by God, we are called to live according to His wise design and moral order for human flourishing, not according to our own wisdom. We glorify God by embracing how He made us, as male or female.
– We must submit our desires to God’s purposes, recognizing that His design for humanity is good and best (James 4:7). God determines our identity, not ourselves.
– We are to steward and cultivate our God-given manhood or womanhood, not reject it as defective (Matthew 25:14-30). We cannot rebel against how God made us without rebelling against Him.
– True fulfillment is found in living out our identity in Christ (Colossians 3:1-17). He sanctifies our manhood or womanhood. Our primary identity is in Christ, not our sex.
– We look forward to the resurrection, when all deformity of God’s perfect design will be restored (1 Corinthians 15:42-44; Revelation 21:1-5). Then we will fully embrace the sex that God bestowed without any shame (2 Peter 1:3-11).
So while we are called to treat those struggling with their biological sex with love, the biblical solution is not to alter one’s sex to fit internal feelings of identity. Rather, it is to submit to God’s design with faith that His purpose is good, while finding our primary identity in Christ. We must resist ungodly cultural narratives that push us to define ourselves autonomously from our Creator.
Warnings Against Deception and Ungodly Teaching
The Bible repeatedly warns about deception, false teaching, and turning from God’s order:
– We must test teachings against Scripture, not follow messages that simply appeal to our desires or cultural sentiment (1 John 4:1).
– False teachers will gain influence by telling people what they want to hear (2 Timothy 4:3). We must guard against ear-tickling lies.
– Ungodly voices will promote distorted views of human identity and sexuality (Romans 1:18-32). They exchange truth for lies (v.25).
– Many will fall into deception and rebellion against God’s design for sex and marriage in the end times (1 Timothy 4:1-3; 2 Timothy 3:1-9). We must cling to God’s truth.
On issues of sex, gender and human identity, the Bible repeatedly warns against turning away from God’s wise design. Ungodly cultural narratives promote speaking “truth” to one’s own desires rather than submitting to our Creator’s truth and purposes.
God Can Redeem and Transform Anyone
Though we are all marred by sin in some way, God offers redemption and transformation to all who turn to Him:
– When we come to Christ, we become a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). The old passes away.
– God can wash, sanctify, and justify any who look to Jesus in faith (1 Corinthians 6:11). Nothing is impossible for Him (Luke 1:37).
– In Christ we are being renewed to align with God’s design and purposes more and more (Colossians 3:10; Ephesians 4:22-24).
So for those struggling with incongruence between their internal sense of gender identity and their biological sex, the Bible offers hope. Jesus can redeem and transform us internally to embrace how God has made us. As we grow in Christ, we become more comfortable in the skin He gave us.
Walking in Love Toward Those Struggling with Gender Identity
The Bible calls Christians to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15), gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15-16). We must reflect God’s heart of compassion toward those struggling with their biological sex or gender identity.
– Listen before speaking. Seek to truly understand their journey and pain. Offer empathy for their struggles (Proverbs 18:13; James 1:19).
– Affirm that their identity and worth is rooted in being made in God’s image, not in their sex or feelings about it. They are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139).
– Assure them of God’s unconditional love through Christ. Remind them of the gospel of grace (Ephesians 2:1-10).
– Where possible, connect them with professional Christian counselors and resources. But be willing to walk patiently with them in the messiness of their journey.
– When speaking truth, do so graciously and relationally, not harshly or merely intellectually. Apply truth in ways that display God’s patient, sustaining love (John 8:1-11).
– Admit that as fellow image-bearers, we do not have everything figured out regarding human sexuality and identity. We see through a glass dimly (1 Corinthians 13:12). But we look forward together to a day when Christ will return and make all things new (Revelation 21:5).
Framing Cross-Dressing and Transgenderism in Light of the Gospel
When discussing transgenderism and cross-dressing, it is important we keep the big story of the gospel central:
– Like all people, those struggling with gender identity are marred by the effects of the fall (Romans 3:9-12, 23) and in need of redemption. We all suffer brokenness in some way.
– Jesus came to redeem and restore all of human life, including our sexuality, relationships and identity (John 10:10). The gospel provides meaning, belonging and hope.
– Our primary identity is as beloved children of God through faith in Christ (1 John 3:1-2). Biological sex does not define our worth or personhood.
– One day Jesus will return to renew all of creation and abolish sin, shame, and brokenness forever (Revelation 21:1-5). We can look forward to that day with hope.
– As followers of Jesus, we are called to demonstrate His patient, unconditional love to a broken world in need of gospel healing (Matthew 9:35-38).
When discussing issues of gender, our aim should be to guide people to the redemptive hope found in Jesus. These conversations present an opportunity to proclaim the life-giving message of the gospel.
Pursuing Humility, Wisdom and Continual Learning
Given the complexity of these issues, Christians should remain humble, thoughtful and willing to keep growing in our understanding:
– We need to recognize the limits of our insight and knowledge (Proverbs 3:5-8). We see imperfectly and know only in part (1 Corinthians 13:9).
– We should avoid simplistic answers but continue to study Scripture, listen to others, and seek greater wisdom together (Proverbs 1:7; 4:7).
– More work is needed to better apply biblical teachings to modern questions related to gender dysphoria, transgenderism, and more. Christians of good faith may differ in their applications.
– We must test cultural narratives through thoughtful discernment. But also avoid blindly rejecting anything we don’t at first understand.
– Christians have sometimes been wrong regarding beliefs affected by cultural prejudice, rather than biblical revelation. We should remain open to growth.
– In all things, we look forward to the day when Christ will return to set all things right (1 Corinthians 13:12). Then we will know even as we are fully known.
A posture of intellectual humility is needed today, combined with confidence in God’s word and an openness to continually re-examining our assumptions and beliefs.
Key Passages on God’s Design for Sexuality and Marriage
Here is a sampling of other key passages that provide biblical wisdom related to these topics:
– Genesis 1:27-28 – God made humanity male and female and blessed them to be fruitful and multiply. His design was intentional and good.
– Genesis 2:18-25 – Adam and Eve were made for each other. The complementary union of male and female reflects God’s design.
– Matthew 19:4-6 – Jesus affirmed marriage as the union of male and female that God intends to be lifelong and intimate.
– Ephesians 5:22-33 – Marriage roles model the self-sacrificial love of Christ for the church. This reflects God’s design.
– 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 – Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit bought at a price. God intends our sexuality for His purposes.
– Romans 12:1-2 – We are not to be conformed to this world, but be transformed by renewing our minds in light of God’s will.
– 1 Corinthians 10:23-24 – Though some practices may be permissible, they aren’t always beneficial or expedient. We must discern wisely.
Conclusion
In summary, the Bible does not directly address the modern concepts of transgenderism or cross-dressing. But in light of key teachings and principles in Scripture, efforts to reject one’s biological sex or to present oneself as the opposite sex appear to resist God’s purposeful design for humanity as male and female. Yet the Bible also offers hope for redemption, renewal, and restoration in Christ. As Christians engage these sensitive topics, we must speak truth with grace, point to the gospel of transforming grace, and walk in humility before God and compassionate love toward others.