God and the Transgender Debate

What does the Bible actually say about gender identity?

from 4 reviews


Helps Christians engage lovingly, thoughtfully and faithfully with one of the biggest cultural discussions of our day.

Paperback
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Description

What is transgender and gender fluidity? What does God's Word actually say about these issues? How can the gospel be good news for someone experiencing gender dysphoria? How should churches respond?

This warm, faithful and careful book helps Christians understand what the Bible says about gender identity. It will help us to engage lovingly, thoughtfully and faithfully with one of the most explosive cultural discussions of our day.

If you want to learn more and love better, and are open to considering what God has to say about sex and gender, this hope-filled book is for you.

Includes a section looking at practical questions including:

- Can someone be transgender and Christian?
- Should I mind if people who are biologically the other sex are in my restroom?
- What should church leaders do if a congregation member asks for their child to be identified as the opposite gender?
- Is it true that Christian teaching is harmful and can lead to depression and higher suicide rates?
- What about people who are born intersex?

Andrew T Walker is the Director of Policy Studies for the Ethics and Religious Liberties Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention.

Product details

Contents

  • Foreword by R. Albert Mohler Jr
    1. He Had Compassion
    2. How We Got to Where We Are
    3. The Language
    4. On Making a Decision
    5. Well-Designed
    6. Beauty and Brokenness
    7. A Better Future
    8. Love Your Neighbor
    9. No Easy Paths
    10. Challenging the Church
    11. Speaking to Children
    12. Tough Questions
    13. Open Hands

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Specification

Contributors Andrew T. Walker
ISBN 9781784981785
Format Paperback
Dimensions 135mm x 216mm x 15mm
Weight 0.23 kg
Language English
Pages 176
Publisher The Good Book Company

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Endorsements

Rob Smith

Lecturer in Theology and Ethics, Sydney Missionary & Bible College

The transgender debate is one that easily arouses passions – on both sides. With gospel clarity and Christ-like compassion, Andrew Walker skilfully navigates a path between the folly of affirming transgenderism and the cruelty of dismissing the distress of those who experience gender incongruence. In so doing, he helps us to see why the gospel of Jesus Christ is good news for the transgendered and how Scripture equips the church for the good work of loving the LGBTQ community. I highly commend this clear-headed and warm-hearted introduction to one of the most challenging issues of our time.

Ed Shaw

Pastor of Emmanuel City Centre, Bristol & Co-Founder of www.livingout.org

This will not be the last word on this complex experience but the author’s tender application of God’s Word to our muddled lives today should make this book one of the first places to turn for Christ-like grace and truth as we seek to love all our neighbours as ourselves.

Rosaria C Butterfield

Author of Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert and The Gospel Comes With a House Key

This book puts the hand of the suffering into the hands of the Savior, and therefore, this is the book that I will put into the hands of parents struggling to know how God’s word speaks into loving a child who struggles with gender-identity issues. In addition to its loving pastoral care and biblical family guidance, this book models how to discern the times, and to respond with Christian hope.

Independent reviews
 

"A pastoral approach"

Todd Miles, The Gospel Coalition, Oct 20, 2017

Andrew Walker has done the church a great service. … All Christians, but especially pastors and elders, must think clearly, faithfully, and lovingly on the transgender issue—and for that reason, should read this book.... continue reading

"Deserves a wide reading"

Peter Dray, Bethinking, Aug 9, 2017

There is certainly no doubt that following the high-profile transitions of Bruce Jenner to Caitlyn, of film directors Andy and Larry Wachowski to Lilly and Lana, and boxing promoter Frank Maloney to Kellie, issues concerning gender and gender dysphoria have never been more in the public eye.

Walker claims that, too often, Christians have been on the back foot and have been too slow in responding to these social changes – and, above all, in responding well to the individuals involved. He wrote his book so that Christians might understand, love and relate to transgender people (and to the wider culture) in a biblically-authentic manner.... continue reading

"Definitely a book to make use of"

David Shaw, Primer, Aug 23, 2017

There aren’t many areas of Christian theology where you might say “We don’t have enough books about that.” For a while now, though, we’ve been crying out for resources to help us reflect on and respond to the transgender movement. We are still far from having enough, but Andrew T. Walker’s book has plugged an important gap.... continue reading

Customer reviews


May 17, 2020

“A mixed bag”

Two things stood out for me while reading this book. First, Dr. Walker’s compassion and generosity of spirit, demonstrating his sincere desire to know and do the will of God, shines through this book. Second, Dr. Walker doesn’t know what transgenderism is. From his definition early in the book to examples throughout (e.g., the story about the man who claimed he was a “6’5” tall Chinese woman”), the writer proves that he doesn’t understand the condition that transgender people suffer nor the experiences they live through. The danger of this is that it can be a “blind guide” (Matt. 15:14) leading to confusion, division, and pastoral and missional failure. Christians would do better to access Lead Them Home ministries; or read “Understanding Gender Dysphoria,” by Mark Yarhouse, which provides a much better understanding of what it means to be transgender. Better yet, reach out and befriend actual transgender people, especially transgender Christians. Get to know them and understand them first-hand, rather than depending on teachers who, no matter how well-meaning, don’t understand the issue they’re teaching about.

Thank you very much for your feedback on Dr. Walker’s book. I am glad that you were heartened by both his compassion and his desire to be faithful to what the Bible teaches. I’m slightly surprised that you feel he doesn’t know what transgenderism is - there is a whole chapter defining the various terms that are common and/or helpful to use, and your feedback doesn’t reference that chapter at all. Dr. Walker mentions the story about the man claiming he’s a tall Chinese woman to make a very different point - not to argue that making that claim is completely identical to experiencing gender dysphoria (which, as he explains, is not the same as identifying as transgender). I would also like to assure you that Dr. Walker did a great deal of research and spoke to (and, more importantly, listened to) many people who have experience of this area, and who have views of it that are different to his, before he wrote his book.
Thanks,
Carl Laferton (editor)


Feb 2, 2018

“Extremely helpful”

(Review written for 'God and the Transgender Debate (ebook)')

I would agree with the other testimonials shown here. It was a relief to find a book which covers the ground in such a well-informed yet incredibly gentle way. All of us are getting so confused by the gender debate, we really need help to make sense of it - the terms being used, and the philosophy implied. Here we get both theological principles and pastoral warmth: we'll be needing all of that!


Sep 18, 2017

“Appreciation”

The writer tackles a subject that many Christians are reluctant to face or talk about. His real life honesty and high view of scripture, rate it highly in my opinion. I've bought several to pass on to fellow leaders, as I think every Bible believing leader should read and digest, and enter the arena that we will all eventually be pushed into!
A great easy-read, and opens the subject for others to take it further maybe. Great value for a worthy write!


Sep 18, 2017

“A very helpful book”

This complements perfectly Vaughan Roberts book: Transgender. The book expands upon that theology in slightly more detail. It is pastorally sensitive and starts to deal with practical outworking. I would say every church leader should have on their shelf

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God and the Transgender Debate | Andrew T. Walker |
$22.99