How should Christians think about homosexuality and transgenderism?
Published: 27 November 2018 (GMT+10)

A reader sent in a video by a Dr Tim Jennings, a Christian psychiatrist, about homosexuality, transgenderism, and Christianity, and asked us for a response. We normally do not respond to videos, because of the time involved to watch and fairly interact with such media, but we felt the teaching value in this case merited an exception.
Dr Jennings calls out the Christian community for “a lot of ignorance and a lot of misinformation.” He believes that “We have to start with facts, we have to start with truth.” He asks, “Are you willing to look at evidence and facts or do you want to hold beliefs that are refuted by evidence, facts, and truth?”
But when he goes into these ‘facts’, we find that they don’t prove what he thinks they prove. Most of his arguments involve very rare abnormalities.
First, he brings out Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome, where a person is genetically male (XY), but has no testosterone receptors, so the child develops to look outwardly female (but lacks a uterus and ovaries). Dr Jennings makes the first of many errors in his video when he says that all babies begin as females, and hormones, particularly testosterone, cause the baby to masculinize. At fertilization, every individual is either genetically female (XX) or male (XY) (yes—there are a handful of intersex chromosomal conditions, most commonly Klinefelter’s—but these are rare), and the baby develops as a female or a male according to the genetics. Dr Jennings inadvertently acknowledges this when he says that the male baby has testes even with AIS.
The next condition is chimerism, the extremely rare condition where one embryo absorbs his or her fraternal twin early in development, resulting in one individual with two distinct sets of genetics. He claims that this can result in someone with both male and female DNA. So someone could have a male brain genetically, and a female body, and so on. Then he claims that epigenetic markers affect whether the brain is masculinized in the womb or not.
His AIS and epigenetic arguments basically say that hormones can determine someone’s sexual identity. But then the chimerism argument says precisely the opposite—that genetics determine sexual identity. Which is it? Of course, this discussion of chromosomal and developmental conditions leaves out the fact that most people who identify as homosexual or transgender are biologically healthy males or females with no ambiguity or genetic defect.
Then Dr Jennings goes in a completely different direction and notes that sometimes trauma can confuse a person’s sexual identity, and gives an anecdote involving one of his counselees. In that counselee’s case, resolving a trauma led her to realize that she was not a lesbian after all, but heterosexual. But how can we tell someone who is ‘naturally’ homosexual from someone who is confused because of a trauma? And how can we even ask that question when it is now forbidden to even raise that as a possibility?
Dr Jennings then turns to Romans 1, and says that “exchanging natural relations for unnatural ones” means that naturally heterosexual people were engaging in homosexual relations as part of Roman fertility cult worship. He argues Paul wasn’t talking about people who are naturally homosexual. But sexual orientation as a core element of our personality wasn’t even conceived of until less than 200 years ago. In the Roman world, free men in particular would engage in both homosexual and heterosexual acts with a variety of partners—the only thing that was taboo was for a free male adult to assume a ‘submissive’ role.
Then he criticizes Christians with “imperial” and “legal” ways of reading the Bible. I think that’s extremely judgmental of him—my brain development was shaped in the womb to make me think in imperial and legal ways. In any case, he says that Christians think homosexuals should act like heterosexuals. That’s not true. Rather, Christians recognize that the Fall affects us in different ways in our bodies, our minds, and our relationships. All of us have to submit ourselves to Scripture which challenges each of us in different ways.
Dr Jennings says that we should present the truth in love, and this will leave people free. While I would agree with him about this principle, we would disagree vastly about the proper application. I do not believe it is loving to present a false gospel to any person that says that Christ is powerless to transform them—regardless of what needs to be transformed.
Readers’ comments
As Lita has made abundantly clear in her replies to some other commentators, the single heterosexual Christian faces the same problem as the homosexual affected person: They have to refrain from indulging in their sinful sexual desires. So I am fully aware of the fact that we are all sinners and in need of mercy and that we need to treat others who are sinning with grace and patience since that is how God treated us before the lights went on.
This ties in with what Bonny M. has said and which raises a very important issue in all of this. Her comments sound so much like a great many Christians, including the lady I was speaking to: "Do not judge" is the main refrain because a "judgmental attitude" will not bring anyone to Christ. However, when even the slightest mention of homosexual sin is seen as being judgmental and invokes anger, how exactly are you going to "lovingly" broach the subject?
I am still waiting for the answer to that.
I would be happy to "love" the person to accept Christ but how do you tell them that their behaviour is sinful?
I've long ago already addressed my gay colleague's concern about "things that he does not agree with in the bible" by simply telling him that he must come to Christ as he as and Christ will sort it out - and then I promised to never again bring it up and that's how it is. I treat him as a friend just as all others in the work group.
As you quoted later to another commentators, Paul said, "such were some of you..." in 1 Cor 6:11. This indicates transformation, not celibacy.
When we have a form of godliness by deny its power we miss out on what sets Christianity apart from every other religion: we serve a Living, Powerful God. Like you indicated, Christ is not powerless to transform.
God on the other hand does not lead us into confusion about our wonderfully made bodies and minds and the sublime complementary design of male and female created in His image. And that he has come to save/redeem us from this powerful delusion of sin and the curse that goes beyond 'just nature' speaks of His patience, long suffering and power over the ages when humanity has been so careless and rebellious.
Do you have a Bible verse for "he gave everyone freedom to think and act as they desired"? I certainly can't think of one. Christ died for our sins to free us from sin and to give us the freedom to walk in obedience to Him. Otherwise why would He give us instructions in His Word?
The subversive element in (male, in particular) homosexuality — which goes against God’s natural order in obvious physiological, biological, psychological (etc.) ways — is that it perverts the natural and licit love between males. That includes between father/son, brother/brother, friends, comrades-in-arms, co-workers, teammates — all of which are essential for a healthy, secure, and harmonious society. David and Jonathan is a classic Biblical example of this platonic male love, and revisionists constantly seek to categorize their relationship as homosexual. This is all part of Satan’s strategy to cause confusion. It was successful throughout the ancient pagan world, where young boys were often routinely initiated into the homo/bi-sexual lifestyle for the pleasure of others. But we as Christians must reject the Devil’s lies, stratagems, and confusion. Even at the cost of persecution — which has already begun — from those intent on “doing what is right in their own eyes.” (Judges 17:6 and elsewhere).
There are two important issues here, maybe even three. First, yes as individuals we need to be gentle and caring towards others. But it's not caring if we lie by omission. In other words, if asked, we need to tell truth, namely that male homosexuals are explicitly condemned as committing a death penalty offense as commanded by God. So it's a very serious issue to deal with in order to maintain social order. It does no one any good if we pretend it's all OK. That doesn't mean we can be hateful towards the individuals caught up in that sin but it does mean we should not be silent either. There's a right way and a wrong way to speak.
The second important issue is about that human legal system. God commanded that the death penalty be enforced on men committing this sin. You only have to look at Sodom and Gomorrah to see the result of unfettered male homosexuality. It ultimately results in unrestrained violence and chaos to the point where God has to step in forcefully. So government must restrain it. Do I advocate the death penalty for homosexual men? Absolutely! Because God commanded this of human government. Lesbians? God did NOT explicitly include women so neither do I. There may be some parallels to male homosexuality, and both are not good, but lesbianism is a very different thing (in my experience) so I don't advocate going beyond what God explicitly commanded.
Think of the married person with desires for someone other than his or her spouse. What does God call that person to? To lay down their urges to commit adultery, to submit their desires to Christ, and to repent of their sinful thoughts, and to commit to live a life of godly faithfulness to their spouse.
In fact, every person, unmarried or married, is called not to ignore our sex drive, to use your way of putting it, but to submit it along with every other aspect of our life to the rule of Christ. When we do, we find that Christ's way is better, and leads to a more fulfilled life.
Christ does not call us to be heterosexual (many heterosexuals will face eternal punishment in Hell)--He calls us to be saved from our sins by trusting in Him. Have you simply shared the Gospel with your acquaintances?
For starters,. how about the sinful blatant arrogant willful disrespect it shows towards God's created design?
I really think you missed the point Dr Jennings was trying to make. His perspective is entirely consistent with the CMI view of the world. (If you looked elsewhere, you will note that he defends a 6000 year old earth). Firstly he wanted to point out the long history of bigotry toward non-heterosexual people or the appearance of it. It is unfortunate that the sheer extant of this sordid history of behaviour is constantly downplayed by those of us in the church. We have a shocking history of abuse against homosexual people. Secondly he was illustrating in clear terms exactly what CMI has been teaching for decades. "The whole creation groans..." Sin in the world has caused all kinds of defects in us. You took upon yourself the task of arguing against his basic premise, which you would agree with wholeheartedly in any other context. Do you honestly believe that it is not possible for the genetic decay to lead to homosexuality?? Thirdly, he agrees that for some people, homosexuality is not genetic and can be unlearned. And then for others homosexuality can be chosen and learned. Fourthly it was not his purpose to discuss how homosexuals should be acting. He DID have more to say about how we as christians should first have this broad perspective and recognise there is more going on that just assuming all homosexuals are 'sinning'. I'm actually not sure why you take issue with his presentation? Allowing for the fact that he does not talk at length about how homosexuals should be behaving when they into knowledge of God, his view is entirely consistent with what yours should be. Firmly based in a biblical worldview, and rationally thought out. Gospel centred. Derek
Jesus didn't just come only to save and reconcile man back to God but He came to restore the divine order of the Father of creation through salvation, both for mankind and the cosmos.
Also, the Christian who struggles with same-sex attraction can draw comfort from the fact that he is not the only category of person called to holiness even in the context of strong desires. The opposite-sex attracted Christian who has not yet been blessed with a spouse is called to a life of celibacy until marriage, regardless of heterosexual desire.
Who am I to condemn others when 'there but for the grace of God go I.' I believe we are born biologically male or female but I try to think, what if I was molested as a young boy or girl, or could only feed myself or family or support my drug habit through being a prostitute, even to the opposite sex. Who am I to judge? If we lift up Jesus love, His spirit will work in their lives. Do we have to be perfect to receive and maintain eternal life. Certainly not. I may not be homosexual, but my vices of selfishness in God's eyes could be far worse. Love is the most powerful.
it is now considered morally wrong to try and change a gay person's mind about their mental gender but which makes more sense, to change the thinking or unnaturally try to change the body to engineer it to be what is was never born as?
There are many men who started out happily married to a woman and over many years had several children and a normal family life then later decided they were gay .That sounds like a change of mind.
Behind your painful prayers for your son is the heart cry of Hannah for her son Samuel. God responds to such a heart. Do not lose heart, but keep praying in confidence and faith, you are not alone.
Even when a situation is beyond our control, it is not beyond His.
Many christians, when they became chrstians had dificult issues to deal with, but because they are christians and admit that they are away from biblical truth, they are willing to work at it with the help of the Holy spirit that lives in them now. But as Paul also mentions it in romans 8, ...if the spirit dwells in you... That is always key to a real acceptance of the bible and our conditions that need to change.
Keep up the good work ! GB
It is not easy, but Christ never promised an easy life for those who follow Him.
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