An issue that’s commanding significant attention, lately, is that of gender fluidity. We see its manifestation under the Pride banner (symbolic of the LGBTQ+ movement) increasingly in venues at home and abroad: Pride signage displayed in local towns, Pride flags flown at U.S. embassies around the world, photos and symbols posted on social media, and rainbow-imprinted clothing and accessories donned by citizens across the globe.
More recently, in Loudoun County, Va., an elementary school physical education teacher, Tanner Cross, at a school board meeting, challenged a prospective policy that would require faculty to use students’ preferred pronouns that don’t match their biological gender. The next day, the school suspended him. He filed a lawsuit. A hearing was held before the court, and the court reinstated him. The case is still being litigated, as the school appealed. Cross claimed the policy would violate his religious freedom. As we follow this story, we see that conflicts continue to rise between parents and board members in this district, one of which resulted in the arrest of a citizen recently. The outcome of this case will no doubt affect religious freedom broadly—either preserving or restricting it.
The idea of gender fluidity is contrary to biblical teaching, and it’s gaining ground in our institutions. There’s a movement to import these doctrines into education, and, in many cases, they already exist in the curriculum of many schools. HR5, now S393, or the Equality Act, pending in the Senate, would codify policies that dispense with biological sex and traditional concepts of gender. It will require all organizations, including religious institutions, to consider for hire LGBTQ+ persons, because the Act will revoke the current Religious Freedom Restoration Act that exempts religious organizations. Also, as mentioned earlier, the outcome of the Tanner Cross case will have significant implications for both education and religious freedom.
We must speak up. In a free society, we should be able to express our views respectfully without reprisal. However, such speech is not always welcomed. WWJD?
“Whoever is not with me is against me….”
Jesus spoke these words after the Pharisees challenged the legitimacy of his ministry as a Holy Spirit empowered one (Matthew 12:30). He made his stance clear, unequivocally. The context of that conversation raises some serious issues of accountability for us as Christians, particularly in an environment fraught with unbiblical ideas.
Throughout the scriptures, the Lord commands, “Be strong and courageous… I am with you.” So serious is God about courage that He equates “non courage” or cowardice with unbelief, sexual immorality, murder, and idolatry (Revelation 21:8). Today, we’re faced with some challenging, delicate issues in a cancel culture that requires people to take a position. Cancel culture permits no middle ground—comply or be canceled. But neither does our Lord, who said, “So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth” (Rev. 3:16, NIV).
We must take a stand but speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15) to save lives. God told Ezekiel to warn the Israelites against sin to save them. He said if Ezekiel did not, God would hold him accountable for their lives (Ezekiel 3:18 NIV). Similarly, with respect to God’s penchant to save lives, when the Samaritans resisted Jesus and his disciples, James and John asked Jesus if they should call down fire from heaven on them. But Jesus admonished them, saying, “The Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them” (Luke 9:56 NKJV).
In this case, then, what’s the saving truth? With respect to gender, very simply, we call X and Y chromosomes sex chromosomes because they determine gender—either female (XX) or male (XY). This is an indisputable, scientific fact. We know, as well, God said, “So, God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them” (Genesis 1:27 NKJV). Jesus affirmed this in Matthew 19:4.
We, too, like God, whether “in season or out of season,” assert, unequivocally, there are two genders (2 Timothy 4:2). We must. We’ve been commissioned: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15 NKJV).
What if I’m accused of hate speech?
The gospel is the expression of God’s love—"God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 NKJV). It is not hate speech. But the devil has been lying for ages about God’s words.
Jesus told us the devil is a “liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44 NKJV). He hates God and those created in God’s “image”—that’s us, all of mankind. The Bible tells us the devil comes “to steal, and to kill, and to destroy,” but Jesus came that we may have “life and have it more abundantly” (John 10:10 NKJV). The truth brings life (Hebrews 12:3-17).
So, who’s the hater? Certainly not the one sharing the gospel—at least, we shouldn’t be (God forbid). Instead, we must be “wise as serpents and harmless as doves” (Matthew 10:16 NKJV), keeping in mind salvation is not by compulsion. It is the gift of God—eternal life—if we answer His call. Joshua told the Israelites: “Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve… as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15 NKJV).
So, give someone an opportunity to choose life. Always speak the truth in love. Truth is not fluid. It is not relative. It does not change. It liberates those who embrace it. Recall Romans 10:14-15 (NKJV):
How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written:
“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace,
Who bring glad tidings of good things!”
LGBTQ+ Briefly
What does LGBTQ+ mean?
As you may know, LGBTQ+ stands for lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender, queer, and plus (to allow for those who are “questioning” by encompassing other unknown or fluid identities).
What are the facts and fallacies?
An egregious fallacy of the LGBTQ+ discussion is gender fluidity, which contradicts science. It suggests one’s gender is fluid not anchored in genetics—allowing one to identify as male, female, both or neither. The X and Y sex chromosomes determine gender—either female (XX) or male (XY). This is indisputable science. Also, God said, “So, God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them” (Genesis 1:27 NKJV). Jesus affirmed this in Matthew 19:4.
What are the origins of this movement and why is it gaining momentum?
Gender dysphoria, first used in 1973, according to psychiatry.org, is “a concept designated in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) as clinically significant distress or impairment related to a strong desire to be of another gender, which may include desire to change primary and/or secondary sex characteristics. Not all transgender or gender diverse people experience dysphoria.”
Only recently has the progressive left begun to advance an LGBTQ+ agenda legislatively. The church recognizes such movements as a spiritual battle for the soul of this country and for its citizens.
How do I address this topic with my children or, if necessary, their school?
Get educated. Many Christian and conservative resources exist. We’ve included some below. If a conflict arises at your child’s school, take your concerns to the administration, respectfully. Seek your pastor’s help. If necessary, consider securing support from any one of many organizations that offer Christians legal assistance, including:
Alliance Defending Freedom, adflegal.org
American Center for Law & Justice (ACLJ), ACLJ.org
Liberty Council, lc.org
Also, if you’re concerned about your children’s beliefs, talk to them. Pray and trust God, who hears and answers prayer. Talk to your pastor. Seek Christian counseling. Read Christian and conservative websites on the subject. Share information with your child. Also, consider exploring some other excellent Christian or conservative resources, such as:
Assembly of God, ag.org/Beliefs/Position-Papers
The Christian Broadcasting Network, www1.cbn.com/
Liberty Council, lc.org
Prager University, prageru.com
Well Versed World, wellversedworld.org
Recent Calvary Hill Perspectives:
#pride #pridemonth #transgender, #genderfluidity, #gender, #LGBTQ, #christianresponsetoLGBTQ, #christianityandgender, #churchandgender, #thebibleonLGBTQ, #calvaryhillchurch, #biblicalperspective, #christianblog
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