We Need to Talk: Gender and Identity
This week we begin our “We Need to Talk series.” We need to talk because we are a family, and like all families, we love each other and we have issues to work through. Those things are not mutually exclusive - we can love each other and think differently about topics. We can love each other and commit to walking a difficult journey of patience, healing, and grace. Christians and Jews alike have often thought that to be “right” meant that you had the right theological stance - yet Jesus showed that many who were “right” theologically were still in the wrong, because their hearts were hard, judgmental, and unmerciful (observe Jesus talking with almost every Pharisee in the New Testament!). Let’s work together on walking this difficult road and learning to be like Jesus.
Jesus and the Woman Caught in Adultery
Anchor Passages:
For This Sermon there are a few different anchor passages to note:
Main Anchor Passage: The Great Commandment
Anchor Passages about Truth:
Anchor Passages about Making Disciples:
A Note about Pronouns:
An especially difficult point of discussion where earnest Christians disagree about what to do. Good arguments against using a persons chosen pronouns include the test of truth, it is untrue to call a biological male “she”, therefore we shouldn’t do it. Likewise, it is argued this can bring further harm to someone disillusioned about their gender by leading them “further down the path”. Arguments for using pronouns include: pronouns are not referring to the biological sex of the person, but to the gender their dysphoria leads them to feel (therefore it’s not “untrue”). Also that using the persons pronoun prevents further social and psychological injury to a person who is statistically likely to have various mental illnesses like depression or suicidal thoughts. Thirdly, that it demonstrates an interest in building a relationship with the person.
Most Christians writing or speaking about this topic actually agree on using the person’s new name, since what we call people is often fluid and arbitrary.
Questions to Ponder:
Do you have any people who identify as trans or are struggling with gender identity in your life? What is your current relationship with them?
Are there good stereotypes for boys and girls we want to keep? What are examples of good stereotypes and bad stereotypes? How do we know the difference?
Do you struggle with the question of using a trans person’s new name or pronouns? If you’re able can you share why you would use them, or why you would not? Understanding our reasons for feeling or acting a certain way is an important step in growth!
What do you imagine Jesus’ response would be to a person who believes they are born in the wrong body - struggling with dysphoria?
Pastor Nate put forward Genesis 1:26-27 as foundational to our understanding of sex/gender. Does it or another passage resonate with you as the most important? For example, The Eunuch passage in Matthew or Pauls’ “there is no male and female” in Galations 3:28? Perhaps the woman caught in adultery or some other story strikes you as the most relevant -to this subject - share about why.
What questions do you have about gender-identity and dysphoria?
A resource I relied heavily on for preparing for this message was Preston Sprinkle’s book “Embodied.” I highly recommend it as a thoughtful book that deals with pastoral, theological, and technical aspects of the topic.
Focus on the Family also has a helpful and encouraging webpage for parents that you can find here: Helping children with gender identity confusion - Focus on the Family.
The Theme in Song:
I chose the acoustic version of this song for the blog. I think it’s partially because when we are run down by the world and coming to God seeking comfort and assurance in our identity, we often need it to happen in a quiet, peaceful place, and the acoustic version leant itself to just that experience. If you are hurting, tired of running, and looking for hope, come to Jesus, trust Him, and know these words are true.