Earlier last month I wrote about the Canadian Pastor Justin Joplin and his conversion to transgenderism. I wanted to continue to watch his transition and so began following him on Twitter.
Is Joplin making an argument against Christian Scienticsm? (The belief that Christians should be healed only by faith and not use medications). Or is he really talking about Transgenderism? Is he comparing his maleness to a thyroid malfunction? If Joplin is right about transgenderism and he is suffering from a physical illness then we could hardly say his actions are sinful.
So the question is this: Is transgenderism caused by something biological? Is there a correlation between the physiology of people and the choice to be transgender? To best answer this question I turn to the professor of Christian Ethics at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Dr. Alan Branch. In his book Born This Way?: Homosexuality, Science, and the Scriptures Branch investigates the nature of same sex attraction and whether there is a biological factor at work that determines a persons sexuality. After an exhaustive overview of the available scientific evidence branch concludes.
No genetic sequence, biological structure, sequence of hormone exposure, personality temperament, or pattern of family history has yet been discovered which is both necessary and sufficient to cause homosexuality.
and
....that there are some traits which seem predispose some people towards same-sex-attraction, but this does not mean a person is predetermined to engage in homosexual behavior.
Branch’s conclusion discusses that there is nothing that is biological that conclusively determines a persons sexuality. If this is the case then Joplin’s comparison about taking thyroid medication to taking hormonal supplements in an attempt to transform himself from a man into a woman is wrong.
Surprisingly, I agree with Joplin on one point in his tweet. A mistake has been made and a cure is needed.
But did God make the mistake? It might be surprising to learn that God has been grieved over mankind before and regretted making them. (Genesis 6:6)
However, we also know that God made humanity as male and female. And it was good. (Genesis 5:2) We also know that shortly after God made Adam and Eve they turned their backs on God. (Genesis 3) This catastrophic action has had biological, spiritual, and emotional consequences. Disconnected from the source of all goodness, mankind has explored the depths of depravity.
Could transgenderism be more of this depravity? Ultimately transgenderism is form of idolatry. As I have written about before, it is the worship of one self. It is taking the place of God and declaring what is black is white and what is white is black.
So what is the cure?
Speaking of the time when God regretted making man and was resolved to destroy mankind completely. There is an incredibly important verse.
But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD… (Genesis 6:8)
While the whole world was depraved there was one man who found favor in the eyes of God. And so God did not destroy mankind but saved Noah and his family. That event was but a foreshadowing for the greater act. While God saved Noah for a time and humanity for a time Noah died and all humanity since Noah has died.
“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus”
Ephesians 2:4-8
But God became man and did not fall into depravity but was sacrificed for all mankind.
Transgenderism has only one cure. Life in Jesus Christ, only he can heal the brokenness of the human heart. And God specifically gives hopes to those who are sexually restrained by nature or by the hands of humans.
For thus says the Lord:
To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths,
who choose the things that please me
and hold fast my covenant,
5I will give in my house and within my walls
a monument and a name
better than sons and daughters;
I will give them an everlasting name
that shall not be cut off.
Isaiah 56:4
There is hope for Transgenders.
THE MIND AND HEART 