Gender Identity Gen 1:26-28; Rom 1:19-20, 26-27 Rev. Min J. Chung (Large Group, Friday March 31, 2017) Genesis 1:26-28 26 Then God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over thebirds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thingthat creeps on the earth. 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. 28 And God blessed them. And God said to them, Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on theearth. Romans 1:19-20 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, 7 in the things that have been made. So they arewithout excuse. Romans 1: 26-27 26 For this reason w God gave them up to x dishonorable passions. For their womenexchanged natural relations for those that arecontrary to nature; 27 and the men likewise gaveup natural relations with women and wereconsumed with passion for one another, y mencommitting sha meless acts with men andreceiving in themselves the due penalty fortheir error. INTRODUCTION Gender identity is a very relevant and important issue in the 21 st century, especially. One theologian stated that the greatest impact in American history, more than the American Revolution or the Industrial revolution, is the Sexual Revolution. So many things in today s culture runs contrary to Scripture and this is an important issue. Laws are changing with regards to this issue also. An alumnus said that, Under Obamacare Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act, it is discrimination if a healthcare provider does not provide health services for a person who claims to be a different gender than their birth identity. Obama s administration made it so that if a healthcare company will not provide a person with health items traditionally only used by the opposite gender, then that person can sue for discrimination. These things are written into law without a lot of publicity. Now, gender lines are being blurred, and it is having repercussions in the legal system. So this is an important issue. How can we love people who associate with a gender different from their birth identity? And when the law changes, how do we react?
I. The world s view of gender identity A. The world s perspective - Definitions 1. Sex The word sex can be an activity, but also an identity. I m talking about identity, not activity. 2. Sex [Identity] This is a person s biological status - male, female, or intersex- someone with different types of organs (possibly both male and female organs). There are a number of indicators of biological sex including sex chromosome, gonads, internal reproductive organs or external genitalia. Now intersex, or hermaphrodites- that means both sexual organs, or other sexual characteristics. I believe that if someone is born like this, the choice of which gender he/she is must be should be determined by which gender is predominately present in your DNA. DNA does not change. 3. Gender assignment/assigned gender This is the classification of an infant s gender at birth - either male or female. By the way, these days people of this camp do not want us to use opposite gender - use other gender. Opposite gender implies only 2 genders, but because there are more than 2 recognized genders, use other gender. 4. Gender identity This is one s inmost concept of self as a male, female, a blend of both, or neither. How an individual perceives themselves. This is independent of one s assigned gender. It can be the same or different than the gender assigned at birth. Gender identity is about how one perceives oneself, the world s view of gender identity. 5. Gender expression The external appearance of one s gender identity, usually expressed through behavior, haircut, voice, clothing etc. This may or may not conform to socially defined behavior typically associated with being masculine or feminine. This is, in sum, how a person lives out and expresses their gender identity. 6. Sexual orientation (An inherent or immutable) enduring emotional, romantic, or sexual attraction to other people. Now I put the word inherent/immutable in parenthesis, because I do not believe in this. Biblically, I do not believe that sexual orientation is something you re born with, or can never change (immutable). You are not born with this, and I believe it can change. But the world s definition is an immutable and enduring emotional, romantic, or sexual attraction. So if you are a homosexual, you are born with this according to the world. So sexual orientation is who you go to bed with, and gender identity is who you go to bed as. 7. Transgender This is an umbrella term for people whose gender identity and/or expression is different from cultural expectations based on their gender assignment at birth. Being transgender does not imply any specific sexual orientation. Just because they are transgender doesn t mean they are necessarily homosexuals. Therefore, transgender people may identify as gay, straight, bisexual, etc.
8. Cisgender This is an adjective used to describe a person whose gender identity and expression align with sex assigned at birth. This is a person who is not transgender nor gendernon-conforming. So if you are born as a male, you express yourself as a male. 9. Gender transition This is the process by which some strive to more closely align their internal knowledge of gender with their outward gender appearance. Some people socially transition, whereby they might begin dressing, using names and pronouns to be recognized as another gender. But others undergo physical transition, in which they undergo medical procedures to change their physical bodies. Gender transition can mean both - their gender expression is changing, or their biology is changing. 10. Genderqueer or Non-binary or Gender fluid or A-gender This is someone whose gender identity does not align with a binary understanding of gender (male/female). Genderqueer means they are different from the 2 genders. Non-binary means they are neither gender. Gender fluid means they could either-or or somewhere in between the 2 genders. A-gender means they are neither gender. Some people just want to get out of the traditional perception of gender as just male or female. 11. Crossdresser This is someone who wears clothes associating with another gender, part of the time. This term has come to replace transvestite, because transvestite if offensive and has a connotation of identifying differently for sexual reasons. But this term may or may not have to do with one s sexual desires. 12. Gender dysphoria This is clinically significant distress caused when a person s assigned gender is not the same as the one with which they identify, according to the APA DSM. This is a clinical term that replaces gender identity disorder. B. The Biblical perspective Romans 1:19-20; 26-27 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 26 For this reason w God gave them up to x dishonorable passions. For their womenexch anged natural relations for those that arecontrary to nature; 27 and the men likewise g aveup natural relations with women and wereconsumed with passion for one another, y mencommitting shameless acts with men andreceiving in themselves the due penalty fortheir error. Identity, in the world s perspective, is formed by subjective feelings rather than objective facts. John Piper asks the question, Is gender identity set by a preference of the individual or by a plan of God? Is my sex determined by my decision in my mind, or by
God s design in my nature? Romans chapter 1 is very helpful in clarifying this (see above). The point is this, nature is one of God s method of revealing of what we should prefer and what our choices should be because nature reveals who God is. We are made in the image of God. Nature reveals who God is and we are made in the image of God. So our choices must be guided by God s design in nature. We are not independent of God s design, so we cannot simply choose for ourselves. We must choose within the bounds of God s design. We are given much freedom, more than any other creature, but it must be within God s design. We are not God. Just like a fish has freedom to live in the water, but they must live in the water. So, there is much freedom, but with some limits. Is gender identity part of the freedom (fish can swim in the sea), or the limit (must stay in the water)? I believe both. If you re created as a male, you re a male. If you re created as a female, you re a female. This is proven in our DNA. Yet, we are free to become the kind of man, or kind of woman, that we want to be. Romans 1:19-20 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. So, God s divine nature is revealed in the physical material things in the universe, so much so that verse 26 says we are without excuse when we exchange the glory of God for creation. God is so clear about who He is and Whom we should worship, that we are without excuse if we don t worship Him. There is a correlation between God revealing who He is in nature, and our gender identity, gender expression, and sexual identity issues. Just as physical nature reveals the truth about God, physical nature reveals the truth about our gender identity. Romans 1:26-27 26 For this reason w God gave them up to x dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; 27 and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error. In human beings, God shows his image in male or female. But they exchanged and forsook their gender identity/gender expression by doing the things that are prohibited for their gender (Rom 1:26-27). The Apostle Paul s understanding of the role of nature in the universe, which includes our physical bodies, is that nature has revealed the truth about God s identity as powerful and divine. It also reveals that humans, have been created as male and female. This truth is so plain that God says we are without excuse if we don t agree with it. If a man looks at his own body, and chooses to play the part of a woman, he is without excuse (and vice versa for a woman). In this case, God has made it clear what his will is that humans have been created either male or female. On one hand, cosmology is designed by God to reveal truth about God s identity as powerful and
divine. On the other hand, anatomy is designed by God to reveal truth about our gender identity as people who have been made in the image of God, to picture what God is like. **Video**- This video simplifies the issue of gender identity. Can we decide who we are just because of our feelings or decisions we make in our minds? Gender identity is not determined by one s subjective feelings, but by God s objective design. That s what we believe from the Bible. Gender expression should follow gender identity given by God. Just as we have no choice of being a certain race, we have no choice in gender assignment, gender identity, and gender expression, and I believe, no choice for sexual preferences within the context of marriage as well. Our birth gender assignment is our calling for gender assignment, gender expression, and gender role to picture the Gospel of Jesus Christ. II. God s view of gender identity Why did he create us? When you make something, you have a reason for making it. The Bible speaks of being created to show God s glory. Isaiah 43:7 speaks of the earth being filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord. Why did God create different genders? I believe to picture what God is like, in his triune nature. A. To picture the equality of God We believe in a triune God. One God in three persons, who are all equal. Genesis 1:26 26 Then God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth. So, to picture the triune nature of God, He made male and female in his own image. Now what does it mean that there is One God in three persons? I have no idea how to explain it because there is no other being like this to compare. God is very unique in this (and many other) aspect(s). Therefore, man and woman were created as different but equal beings to picture the equality of God. B. To picture the distinction of God One God in three persons, who are equal but distinct. In verse 27, it says God created them in His image, male and female. This little phrase that he created them shows that you cannot subjectively realize whether you are male or female. It was decided by God to objectively created them male or female. But what kind of man or woman you can be, what kind of personality you can have you don t necessarily have to fit into the sociological norm of being male or female, you have freedom in that. But the fact that you re male or female is designed by God and objectively determine in you anatomy and
in your DNA. This is not something that can be subjectively decided upon. So God designed male and female in order to picture the three distinct persons within the Trinity. Each are equal in value, yet differently beautiful and valuable. Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; r male and female he created them. C. To picture the relationships of God How male and female harmoniously work together for a common purpose. Genesis 1:28 28 And God blessed them. And God said to them, s Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on theearth. Two people s relationship, especially within the context of sexual relationship in the context of marriage is implied in that command to be fruitful and multiply. Similarly, within the Trinity, the Father loves the Son, Son loves the Spirit, Spirit loves the Father, Spirit loves the Son. And they have a covenant, committed relationship, in a purposeful goal, working together in unity. To picture this relationship within the Trinity, God created male and female relationships. D. To picture the distinction of roles among God Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; r male and female he created them. Different functions were given to males and females, different types of work. Just like the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit have different functions, male and female have different functions. We can see the different roles of the Trinity, in Salvation. God the Father initiates salvation, the Son accomplishes salvation as he became incarnate as God-Man and died on behalf of all humanity as he submitted himself to the Father s will, and the Holy Spirit submits to the Son and resides with God s people, using us to accomplish salvation through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. So, the different gender roles were created to picture the different roles within the Trinity.
Gender distinction is unchangeable. The image of God, our physical bodies, is eternal and very purposeful. We will have gender distinction in heaven, no matter how much you try to change your body, you cannot change your DNA. These days within Christian circles, there is the egalitarian view and complementarian view. Egalitarian means men and women are not only equal in worth, but equal in their roles as well. Male and female roles are interchangeable, based on one s gifts. However, I believe Scripture shows a complementarian view. This means that male and female are equal in worth, yet have different roles especially within the family and church. These roles harmonize with and complement each other, showing the distinction yet harmony of roles within the triune nature of God. Again, God the Father initiates Salvation, the Son accomplished Salvation, the Holy Spirit applies Salvation. Different functions, but working in harmony for one purpose. So God created male and female with different roles to illustrate the Trinity. The complementarian view means that the differences between male and female will be respected and affirmed and valued. Men and women will not try to duplicate each other, but highlight the uniqueness of each other s roles for mutual enrichment. Biblically, men have a unique God-given responsibilities to women, and women have God-given responsibilities to men. These responsibilities are different and are not dependent on our gifts, but on Biblical manhood and womanhood as designed by God. These different roles are not just limited to reproduction within marriage. I believe they re much bigger than that. Therefore, our beauty and strengths reside in our differences, not similarities. God does not make mistakes. He made you male or female for a purpose. Objective calling must overcome our subjective feeling. His Word defines our identity, not our feelings for our own happiness and pleasure, which is temporary. If you follow God s design and will, you will have eternal joy. If you are struggling with this, let me make some pastoral comments. We must learn to be content. And we must fight envy. The struggles are very real and very deep, but it is very possible for you to overcome these desires. If you follow the design of God, it will ultimately lead you to eternal happiness and by the grace of God, you can overcome. We have many testimonies of that within our church. III. The danger of the obliteration of God s view on gender identity If unbelievers marry, one man and one woman, is there power in that? Or is there only power within marriage between Christians? Why is it important to have gender identity clarified according to Biblical guidelines within a society in general? Whether an un-believing couple, or believing couple, because God has instituted marriage and family, these can be used for the preparation and illustration of the Gospel. Although a non-christian family would not have the power that a Christian marriage can have, they can still portray the Gospel through marriage. Any family can portray the complementarian nature of the Gospel. Now, when believers marry, there is spiritual ordination and the power of the Gospel is pictured through the marriage. Any unbelievers marriages and families that picture the image of God can be the preparation of the Gospel, but only when they become believers can they have the power of the Gospel. The fight for the Biblical principles of gender identity, marriage and family is
important, and the fight to keep these basic structures of marriage and family intact is important. So what is the danger of the obliteration of gender identity? Ephesians 5:32-33, This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. This mystery can be clarified through how we live, especially in the context of marriage. As a husband and wife love each other in Christ, the husband plays the role of Christ, and the wife plays the role of the church. He loves her and she submits to him, clarifying the mystery. This mystery cannot be clarified if the Gospel is not pictured. It will not be clarified if the basic structures of gender identity, family and marriage are broken. If we are not in alignment with God s view of gender identity, then 3 dangers exist: A. Mystery of Who am I? Danger of not understanding our gender identity, we must understand who we are: The Bible says we are children of God and the bride of Jesus Christ. Therefore, God is our Father and Christ is our groom. So to picture these God-created relationships, we need a man and woman who love each other in Christ, that play their roles to picture the Gospel as parents and in marriage. As a male, you are growing up to show the worth and beauty of God through becoming a husband. As a female, you are growing up to show how the church submits to Christ through becoming a wife. But if gender assignment, gender identity and gender roles is not unclear, and we don t know what we re called to be and do, then the mystery of who I am is not clarified. B. Mystery of Who are we? If we don t know who we are, there s danger to our corporate identity. Individuals make up families, and families make up the church, which is an institution God uses to transform the world. If this mystery of who we are is unsolved, it s a danger to the Church of Jesus Christ, a danger to marriage, and a danger to families. Therefore, it s a danger to the 2 most important institutions God has ordained, the Church and family, to change the world through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. C. Mystery of Who is God? God ordained us to portray who He is, as human beings. It is important that we know who we are with respect to gender assignment and gender identity, as God has determined these to be. Gender identity and gender roles, as God has established, then define our identity and roles in marriage, in families, and in the Church of Jesus Christ. If we do not know our God-given identity and roles, then God is cannot be represented, because we are the only created beings who are made in the image of God. So the obliteration of gender identity and roles as God as assigned them is a threat to the illustration and sharing of the Gospel. If the mystery of who I am, the mystery of who we are and the mystery of who God is remains unsolved. If the line between right-and-
wrong, male-and-female continues to blur and keeps vanishing, if our desires are able to define our identity, then there will be no limit to blurring other lines of identity, behavior, morals, etc. We will be unguided in the future and there is much danger to that. IV. Practical questions and implications A. How do we minister to others with different gender views If they do not know Christ, then give them Christ first. They need to feel loved by you, but you must do it in a way that does not violate the Word of God. If he wants you to call her she and she wants you to call her he, then do so to build the relationship. If Bobby wants you to call her Debbie, I think that is okay. Use your wisdom, but I would have no problem calling them what they want me to call them. But do not defy your Biblical conscience. However, I personally would have a problem attending a homosexual wedding, because of the cultural statement that it makes. Also I cannot celebrate or congratulate something which is against God s beautiful design and will ultimately destroy or hurt them. But I will show in every other way that I care for them, as much as I can. Now, if they are in Christ, and they are believers, and they are having trouble with gender clarification, I would study the Word of God together to see what God says about it. If they disagree, you must pray for them. If they are blatantly rebellious and disobedient to the Word, we still befriend them and pray for them until God changes their hearts. I hope they feel comfortable enough in this church (CFC) where they feel safe to ask questions, even if they disagree with Biblical views, because they feel loved. Show Jesus to them, so that in time, they will be transformed. B. Implications for marriage and family I m talking about role differences in picturing the Gospel. Ephesians 5:22, 25 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, Wives are to submit to their husbands as the Church submits to Christ. And men are to love their wives as Christ loved the Church. What does that look like? I believe the husband and wife dynamic should show mutual respect. But there must be clear male leadership, not because he s smarter or better (often times he s not), but because husbands are to picture Christ. It s a servant-like, sacrificial leadership, just as Jesus dies for His bride, the Church. On the other hand, wives are to voluntarily submit to and follow their husbands. This is similar to submitting to parents when you were younger or submitting to your boss as an employee. There are many authority systems instituted by God, so all of us know how to follow others. In the context of marriage, the husbands represent the loving servant leadership of Christ, and wives ought to exhibit voluntary submission to support and help her husband.
Submission does not mean women are any lesser than men. Women simply have a different role, yet are of equal worth. If submission necessarily implies inequality, then the understanding of the Trinity falls apart, because Jesus submits to the Father, and Jesus is equal to the Father. Holy Spirit also, though equal to Jesus, submits to Jesus Christ. Whenever Biblical authority is abused, God is misrepresented. Now if the husband and wife are deciding between something, and they disagree, there needs to be a tiebreaker. The wife should voluntarily relinquish the right of the final decision to the husband, but he should try to make sure that she is in agreement while seeking her advice. The Gospel shows that Christ died for His Church, and His Church lives for Him. Similarly in marriage, he dies for her, and she lives for him. I believe God has a special blessing and anointing in God-given roles. Malachi says when 2 people marry, Holy Spirit anoints that marriage and uses that family and relationship. That s why whenever I go to different churches to speak, I listen to what that pastor says and I submit to him, because he is the God-ordained leader of that church. In heaven, we will have physical bodies and still be male or female. However, the Bible says there is no marriage in heaven, we are all brothers and sisters. So gender distinction is eternal, but there will be no more role distinctions in heaven. We will all be married to our Lord Jesus Christ, and earthly marriage can only hope to portray the type of intimacy we will have with our Lord Jesus Christ in heaven. C. Implications for church What does role distinction between male and female do for the church of Jesus Christ? The worth and value of women were actually elevated because of Christianity. Because of Christianity, women started to become educated. And male leadership was maintained in the Church. I ll explain one verse that is so controversial, which describes how role distinction is carried over to the church. 1 Timothy 2:12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. This is a very controversial topic, culturally. Two phrases, to teach and to exercise authority over men (which means to govern or to rule). So let s tackle each phrase. To teach Now obviously this doesn t mean that women can t teach at all within the church. Titus 2:3 says that older women are to teach younger women and in 2 Timothy 3:14, parents and grandparents Eunice and Lois taught a male child and grandchild, Timothy. In Acts 18:26, Priscilla and Aquilla (husband and wife) taught the to-be teacher, Apollos. In a small group setting, a woman was allowed, in the company of her husband, to teach. So what does this mean? The verse is applied women teaching in a public setting. The key is the next phrase.
To exercise authority over men Meaning to govern or rule. Now if we understand this phrase, two things can help us decipher what this means. 1 Timothy 5:17 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. This describes the elders and pastors, who have the role of teaching and preaching in their express leadership in the church. Now elders are leaders and instructors in a church, teaching and governing, while deacons are servants. Deacons do not govern and teach. 1 Timothy 2:12 says women are not to teach and not to govern. So I believe Paul is saying that women are not permitted to fill in the office of elder or pastor within the church, though they can fulfill any other role within the church. So there is to be male leadership in the church, just as Christ is to the Church, there is also to be male leadership within a marriage and family. But similar to the democratic system, leaders ought to listen to God s Word and consider the opinion of the congregation, before making an executive decision. The specific ways in which men and women fulfill various roles in a church can be determined by individual churches. So within these limits set by Scripture, there is still much freedom. D. Implications for work Ephesians 6:9 Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him. 1. Can women work? Should women be bosses above men There s no clear verses about male leadership and female leadership in terms of work, because most women did not and could not work during that time when NT was written. I believe that any woman can take any position within the workplace. In Proverbs 31, the woman described there is working diligently, while not undermining her responsibility to support the family. 2. Should this male leadership be applied to work situations? In other words, should women not take leadership positions in the workplace? No, I think women can have leadership positions in the workplace. We need to make a distinction between corporal relationships and personal relationships. In terms of corporal relationships, the Bible is not clear. I believe a woman can be a Christ-like boss. Ephesians 6:9, describes Christ-like masters, who treat their subordinates just as Christ treats those under His authority. However, in the personal relationships, she can still be a motherly, sisterly believer who can strengthen males under her to become godly leaders. 3. Can women work when they have kids?
Well, someone needs to take care of your kids, and though this is often together, husband and wife, it often has to be the wife. There is this role delineated in the Bible, but there are also biological reasons. Women are the ones who become pregnant and are designed to feed the child, nurturing them. Therefore, it becomes a primary calling of the woman to support the husband as well as raise and nurture the children. Nevertheless, woman can work, with agreement of the husband, as long as it does not hinder her calling to raise her children, support her husband and his ministry. Your work should not hinder your family. Through your work, you should be helping your family in Christ. These women are superwomen! And there are several in our church. Conclusion One morning, during morning prayer, 3 questions came to my mind: Who am I, what am I doing, and where am I? Of course, I don t have perfect answers, but my prayers became as follows: Who am I? --Help me to become who You created me to be, a man of God, husband, father, pastor. What am I doing? -- Doing the things You [God] want[s] me to do. Where am I? -- Staying in the place You call me to be. Help me to be faithful Within the design and framework You have given me, help me to be free to be who You created me to be. If you re doing what you are supposed to be doing, give 100% in what you re doing. Consider it as your calling, treat it as your dream. If your heart is 25% in remorse from the past, only 75% in the present endeavor, and 25% in envy of other things in the future, you are training yourself to be divided and unfaithful. Biblically learn from the past, prayerfully plan the future, biblically know who you are. Wholeheartedly, be faithful in the present. If not, when you get old, regret rather than fulfillment will take the place of your dreams. Live to show Jesus. Let s pray.