Dear Ellen, I can’t seem to find a clear answer in Scripture that addresses transgender identity as being wrong. Do you have any biblical insight on this? — Seeking Clarity
Dear Seeking Clarity,
Thank you so much for your question. I appreciate your desire to search for truth yourself and wrestle with such a nuanced, sensitive topic—this shows a noble, Berean heart (Acts 17:11).
You’re absolutely right – the Bible does not specifically mention the term, “transgender identity,” but it absolutely references the idea.
Much of what we deal with today was less a part of the cultural landscape when the Scriptures were written, so we won’t find a verse that says, “Transgenderism is sinful.” However, just as we use biblical principles to address modern practices like cybersex or pornography, we can also draw from biblical truths to understand God’s view of gender and gender identity.
Foundational Biblical Principles
Here are some key Scriptures that help us frame this topic from a biblical perspective:
Genesis 1:27 This verse teaches that God created humans in His image—”male and female He created them.” God reflects His image through two complementary sexes, indicating that our gender binary is both intentional and foundational to us being His image bearers.
Genesis 2:22-24 This passage speaks to both the sameness (both being human) and the distinctiveness of male and female, emphasizing the complementary nature of these two sexes as foundational to our image-bearing status.
Deuteronomy 22:5 Although this verse refers to cross-dressing and not transgender identity, it introduces the idea that gender distinctions matter to God. Some scholars suggest that “abomination” here may mean “incompatible” with God’s design, rather than detestable in the way we often interpret it.
Matthew 19:4-5 Jesus reaffirms the Genesis narrative, stating that God’s intent for marriage was that it be between one man and one woman.
1 Corinthians 6:9 The word “malakoi” here has been interpreted by some scholars to refer to men blurring the lines of gender in same-sex sexual relationships, underscoring the importance of maintaining distinctions between male and female.
1 Corinthians 11:2-16 Paul emphasizes that gender distinctions in appearance are part of God’s creation order, though this does not imply rigid cultural stereotypes (like colors or toys assigned to specific genders).
Romans 1:26-27 This passage discusses same-sex relationships, rooting the argument not just in behavior, but in God’s design for men and women as distinct beings.
1 Corinthians 6:13-20 Paul reminds us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, intentionally crafted by God. Changing them in drastic ways—like transitioning genders—raises the question of whether this aligns with honoring God’s design.
Romans 8:11 This verse suggests that even in the resurrection, our bodies will remain in the gender binary, which could imply that God’s intent for our embodied sex carries eternal purpose.
Drawing Conclusions
There are many other passages we could point to that show us the care and intention God took in creating us. All throughout the Bible, it seems that God’s design for humanity involves being embodied as either male or female. While the Bible does not specifically say the term, “transgender identity,” the consistent theme is that God created humans with intentional distinctions between male and female, and those distinctions reflect His divine image. It appears evident to me that God’s intent for His people—those who have committed their lives to Him—is to remain within the gender He originally created them to be.
Navigating Obedience When We Don’t Fully Understand
God often asks for our obedience, even when we don’t fully grasp the “why” (Isaiah 55:8-9). John 14:15 tells us that obedience is a way to show our love for God, even if the cultural norms of today make that obedience difficult or confusing. I know firsthand how hard it is to deny something that feels deeply ingrained in us, but I believe that God honors those who seek to honor Him.
Additional Resources
I recommend the work of Dr. Preston Sprinkle and Dr. Mark Yarhouse, both of whom are Christians and scholars with deep insight into gender identity from a biblical perspective. Their writings are thoughtful, compassionate, and rooted in God’s love and truth.
A Word of Encouragement
I see your heart for seeking truth, and I believe God will honor that pursuit. He knows the difficulty of wrestling with these questions, and He will meet you where you are. I’ll be praying for you as God reveals His truth and peace to you in this journey.
