The arrival of postmodernism has opened a Pandora’s box of confusion. It has torn down absolutes, including truth itself, and replaced them with relativism—the idea that what one perceives in his or her own mind is reality. This shift has caused deep divisions, from individual citizens all the way to the U.S. government. Caught up in this cultural storm is gender identity, which has fueled the transgender movement. But Christians must ask the crucial question: What does the Bible say about transgenderism and the Bible?
What is Transgenderism
Transgenderism refers to the cultural movement that supports people who identify with a gender different from their biological sex at birth. A transgender person may identify as the opposite sex and often seeks to live accordingly.
Some experience gender dysphoria—clinically recognized distress caused by a mismatch between one’s internal sense of gender and biological sex. It is listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), the handbook used by psychiatrists to classify conditions. Prior to 2013, it was referred to as gender identity disorder. This is a serious condition, and those who suffer from it need wise, compassionate help.
Common adult treatments include:
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Gender-affirming hormone therapy (estrogen or testosterone to produce secondary sex characteristics of the identified gender).
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Gender-affirming surgeries (chest, genital, and facial procedures).
Treatments are personalized and often combined with psychological support.
However, from a biblical perspective, these interventions align a person with a self-chosen identity rather than with their God-given bodily reality, which leads away from God’s design.
It’s also important to note: not all who identify as transgender have gender dysphoria. Recent surveys report ~1%+ of U.S. adults identify as transgender, while a smaller share carries a clinical diagnosis. Many cases are driven more by cultural formation than medical distress—which is why Christians must ultimately ask: What does God say about gender and identity?
Treatments for Gender Dysphoria
Two main treatments for transgender adults are gender-affirming hormone therapy and surgery, both aimed at aligning physical traits with the desired gender identity.
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Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy: Involves administering estrogen or testosterone to create the secondary sex characteristics of the chosen gender, such as breast development, facial hair, voice changes, or shifts in fat and muscle distribution.
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Gender-Affirming Surgery: Refers to procedures such as chest reconstruction, genital surgery, or facial alterations to better match one’s perceived gender identity.
These treatments are highly personalized, sometimes combined, and often accompanied by psychological support.
From a biblical perspective, however, these interventions attempt to resolve distress by reshaping the body to match inner feelings—rather than aligning inner feelings with God’s created design. This not only fails to bring lasting peace but also deepens confusion, since it works against the truth of God’s creation.
The Influence of Postmodernism
Although transgender identities have existed in various forms throughout history, what makes today different is widespread cultural acceptance—and that acceptance is being fueled by the postmodern movement.
Postmodernism rejects absolutes and redefines truth as subjective. This mindset has opened the door for society to redefine even the most basic realities, including male and female. As a result, what was once rare and discouraged is now promoted as inclusive and even celebrated.
From a biblical perspective, this shift is not progress but deception. Postmodernism has become one of Satan’s greatest tools, introducing ungodly doctrines and fueling movements like the sexual revolution, abortion rights, same-sex marriage, and now transgender ideology. Its goal is to reshape culture to reflect man’s will instead of God’s.
Movies, television, and social media all push the message that “you are whoever you feel you are.”
Nowhere is this rebellion clearer than in the attempt to overturn God’s original creation of male and female.
What Does the Bible Say About Transgenderism?
The word transgender does not appear in Scripture, but as with many topics (e.g., Trinity, abortion), God’s Word gives us clear principles.
So let’s look at Scripture: Gen 1:26-28
Creation Order —
26 And 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 fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and
over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be
fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have
dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and
over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. KJV
From the very beginning, God established His design: male and female, and blessed to multiply. There is no room for gender confusion here. If Adam had identified as Eve, or Eve as Adam, they could not have fulfilled God’s command.
Next, the New Testament: Matt 19:4-6
Jesus Affirms God’s Design —
4 …Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,
5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?
6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. KJV
Jesus confirms God’s creation order: male and female, joined in marriage. Again, no space for transgender identity.
Next, Leviticus 18:22
Boundaries Against Sexual Confusion
22 Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable [cf. 20:15]. NIV
Next, the New Testament: 1 Cor 6:9-10
9 Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the
kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor
idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. NIV
Scripture is clear: sexual confusion and same-sex relations are outside of God’s will. Transgenderism falls within this rebellion against God’s design.
Deut 22:5
God’s Order in Appearance
5. A woman must not wear men’s clothing, nor a man wear women’s clothing, for the Lord your God detests anyone who does this. NIV
Even in dress, God distinguishes male from female. To blur those lines is to reject His order.
This is a black and white issue—there’s no gray area here. We’re either male or female. The actions of cross-dressing, drag queens, and identifying ourselves with the opposite sex are simply sinful behavior. The Scripture says, “…the Lord your God detests anyone who does this!”
Our Bodies Belong to God
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NIV
…you are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”
Living by God’s Design
So we see clearly in the Bible that men are not to perform sexually as women, nor adorn themselves as women, and women are not to take on the role or appearance of men. When men and women engage in other-gendered expressions of identity, it is simply a disgrace.
We do not have an unchallengeable right to do whatever we want with our physical selves.
And here is where the confusion deepens. I will admit: I do not understand how professing Christians can be divided on this topic. Either we follow God and Christ and accept the Scriptures as God’s Word, or we do not. Being “true to oneself” is one thing — but going against God’s Word is another.
Christians are called to be the light on the hill, not to be lost in the darkness:
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.” (Matthew 5:14 NIV)
Yet sadly, the church is being infiltrated with modernistic views that compromise the Scriptures, leading to untold division.
Today’s Church
Things would go much smoother if we returned to the Word of God. (For more on this, see my article on Postmodernism and the Church.)
The same divisions we see in the church are now mirrored in society at large. Even governments are embroiled in debates over something as basic as bathrooms — should biological men be permitted to use women’s restrooms?
But let’s be clear: equating civil rights with transgender rights is a false comparison. Civil rights were designed to ensure equal treatment under the law — not to promote sinful and immoral behaviors.
Things will go much smoother when we get back to the Word of God. More on postmodernism in the article: https://TheChristianAdvocate.org/postmodernism-and-the-church
Let’s look at what the Scripture reads in Galatians 5:13 NIV, it says:
13. “You, my brothers were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.”
And in the end, the question is the same: What does God say about gender and identity?
So we must ask ourselves, is this really progress? We are embracing behaviors that God has previously destroyed nations for—will ours be any different?
Closing thoughts
God’s plan was never about confusion — it was about clarity, blessing, and life.
This is not a call to condemn transgender people. Scripture reminds us:
“…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23 NKJV)
We are called to restore gently, not to shame:
“Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:1–2 NIV)
The law of Christ is love. That means truth must be spoken in love, and love must never compromise truth. We are not to ignore the issue but to help people embrace the way God created them — male and female.
Our bodies are a gift from God, not to be altered at will. The deeper issue at stake is spiritual: confusion, deception, and rebellion against God’s design. Transgender people, like all of us, need healing and deliverance that only Christ can provide.
Transgender people need deliverance from the grips of mental confusion so that their minds can be relieved from the burden of the desire to be a gender other than the one God created them to be physically. They need much prayer!
Transgender people are in a state of confusion and need to be embraced and healed, as do all sinners—THAT IS EQUAL RIGHTS!
And here is the good news:
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.” (Matthew 5:14 NKJV)
Christians are called to shine — not to dim our light to blend into culture. The hope for every sinner, every broken heart, and every confused soul is found in Jesus Christ.
The cross is big enough for every sin, every confusion, every struggle – including gender identity. God’s grace reaches farther than any identity crisis. The question for us is: are we standing with the shifting winds of culture, or with the unchanging Word of God?
As Joshua declared:
“…choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve… But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15 NKJV)
Amen.
Blessings!
Our body is a gift from God and should not be altered or changed.
Amen!
Blessings!
This article only scratches the surface of a complex and deeply spiritual issue. For a fuller exploration, I invite you to watch my recent teaching on Transgenderism and the Bible. In this message, I walk through the Scriptures in greater depth and share practical insights for Christians navigating today’s culture.
And if you’re pressed for time, here’s a one-minute summary that highlights the key points from the same teaching:
However you engage — by reading, watching the full teaching, or catching the one-minute summary — my prayer is that God’s Word will bring clarity, truth, and hope. May we stand firm in His design and shine as lights in a confused world. Amen.
