Why Are We Having a Book Study on Transgender Identities?

Beginning this Sunday morning, January 23, I’ll be facilitating a book study of the book, “Embodied: Transgender Identities, The Church, and What the Bible Has to Say.” Why this book and why now? 

Back in 2015 Bruce Jenner, an Olympic gold medalist in the decathlon, created a media sensation when he announced that he believed he was really a woman and would now be known as Caitlyn. The photo spread of Caitlyn in Vanity Fair magazine featured a sophisticated and glamorous person explaining the that he could no longer argue with his long-held and deeply distressing feelings of being a woman, so now it was time to transition from Bruce to Caitlyn. This moment seemed to be a sort of cultural tipping point which has been followed by the widespread acceptance of transgender identities, that is the “T” in LGBTQ.  

As you probably well know, this is not something that is just happening “out there” somewhere. Parents, friends, co-workers, teachers, and students are all aware of the rising prominence and acceptance of transgender ideas and people. Families like mine are working through how to love and respond to family members who are rethinking their own gender or the pronouns they prefer to be referred to with. Many people, especially young people, are finding themselves confused about their gender and identity.

Who can they talk to? Do we want to be the kind of church where it is OK to talk about these things? How can we be the kind of church where people who open up about their experiences won’t be greeted with “Yuk!” or silence but with compassion and biblical wisdom? 

The first step is to understand what is happening. This book is intended to help Christians like us get the lay of the land, and understand terms like nonbinary or trans* or gender identity, and then think these through from a biblical point of view. This book is also intended to help us understand that this isn’t just an issue to debate or discuss, these are people to love.  

During our class times (9:00-10:00 on Sunday mornings) we’ll anchor ourselves in Scripture, discuss portions of the book, hear stories of members of our church community who have struggled with their gender or sexuality, and pray together. I hope parents, students, teachers, friends, and especially people with questions about their own gender, will find a safe place to listen, learn, and pray together. If you’re interested, please RSVP here. Childcare and a Zoom option are available by request. And please read chapter 1 before class.   

I look forward to gathering with whomever is able to attend on Sunday. Would you please be praying for the Spirit’s presence and help during this book study? 

Mark

*If you’re not sure what “trans*” means, this class is for you! 

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