Should a Christian self-identify as transgender?

Bruce always had to tell a lie. He was always living that lie. Every day he always had a secret. From morning till night. Caitlyn doesn’t have any secrets.… I’m free.

Bruce Jenner/Caitlyn Jenner

Defining the Issue

The American Psychological Association defines transgender as “an umbrella term for persons whose gender identity, gender expression, or behaviour does not conform to that typically associated with the sex to which they were assigned at birth.”1 

A transgender person’s sense of being male or female differs from their birth sex. This means a transgender person may be born with the genitalia of a boy, but considers himself to be a girl. Conversely, a transgender person may be born with the genitalia of a girl, but considers herself to be a boy. 

When a person who is born male desires to be a female, the person is called a “trans-female” or “trans-woman.” When a person who is born a female desires to be a male, the person is called a “trans-male” or a “trans-man.”

The main presupposition of transgenderism is that sex and gender are separate, identifiable entities. Sex is used in reference to biological and anatomical traits such as obvious differences between genitalia, bone structure, DNA, hormones, and internal reproductive anatomy. On the other hand, gender is used to describe the psychological, social, and cultural aspects of being male or female.2 

Thus, for example, one can claim to have a male sex but a female gender.

The process of transitioning from one gender to another varies from person to person. Usually, the transitioning begins by dressing as the opposite sex and claiming a new identity. During this time, cross-sex hormone treatments begin, as males take female hormones and females take male hormones. 

This induces something like a second puberty in which the person takes on the secondary sex characteristics of the opposite sex. Many transgender people then have “top” surgery first, meaning double mastectomies for females and breast implants for males. Some transgender people are satisfied with their appearance after taking hormones and having top surgery. Others choose to have “bottom” surgery last. Genital reassignment surgeries are far more involved and expensive for female-to-male as opposed to male-to-female.

Biblical Ethical Principles

The Bible does not differentiate between sex and gender, but merely assumes appropriate roles and behaviours are corresponding to the sex with which we are born. Our sex and gender roles are intended to be in harmony, and the gift of gender is part of the goodness of God’s creation (Genesis 1:27). 

Cross-dressing is specifically forbidden in Deuteronomy 22:5, which says, “A woman shall not wear a man’s garment, nor shall a man put on a woman’s cloak, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord your God.” Deuteronomy 23:1 adds, “No one whose testicles are crushed or whose male organ is cut off shall enter the assembly of the Lord.” 

The background for Deuteronomy 23:1 is not clear; the phrase “has his male organ cut off” may refer to a primitive attempt to present oneself as the opposite gender.3 Homosexual behaviour is also clearly forbidden in Scripture (Romans 1:24–27; 1 Corinthians 6:9–11).

When considering the morality of gender reassignment surgeries, the medical ethical principle of “first, do no harm” is quite relevant. An ancient tradition in medical ethics insists the primary job of the physician is to heal and not to harm the patient. 

But the surgeries performed on the genitals in an effort to make someone look like the opposite sex mangle and destroy perfectly functioning urogenital systems in the name of subjective feelings about gender. Furthermore, these surgeries are fraught with post-operative difficulties. Gender reassignment surgery does not turn someone into the opposite sex; it turns a male into a mutilated male and a female into a mutilated female.

Suggested Ethical Stance

Transgenderism is not consistent with Scripture and is not an option for Christians. Temptations come in many and various forms, and Christian compassion demands we help someone experiencing transgender desires to fight temptation, but we do not help anyone by encouraging them to do something God says not to do.

For those of us who have never experienced confusing and contradictory feelings about gender, it can be difficult to understand how a transgender person feels. 

When one considers how very drastic and painful gender reassignment surgery is, then the grief of gender dysphoria must be quite intense if someone believes surgery that drastic will bring inner peace. Transgender people deserve compassion. 

Furthermore, transgender people more frequently attempt suicide and suffer depression than the general population. Christian mercy teaches us to help them learn to have the abundant life Jesus offers (John 10:10), but this is found in following God’s will and not our subjective desires.

What should Christian parents do if their child begins to self-identify as transgender? First and foremost, love your child while affirming biblical parameters. 

Never underestimate the power of a parent’s unconditional love to help a child navigate the most difficult moral waters. Regardless of the struggles they may experience, all children are a gift from the Lord (Psalm 127:3), including children who, for reasons unclear to us, experience conflicting ideas about gender. But Christian parents should give a firm no to requests for gender transition.




1 “Answers To Your Questions About Transgender People, Gender Identity, and Gender Expression,” American Psychological Association, updated in 2014, http://www.apa.org/topics/lgbt/transgender.pdf, 1.

2 Mark Yarhouse, Understanding Gender Dysphoria: Navigating Transgender Issues in a Changing Culture (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2015), 17.

3 See Daniel I. Block, Deuteronomy, NIV Application Commentary (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2012), 534n3. Eugene H. Merrill suggests a more generic interpretation of Deuteronomy 23:1, but says whether these acts were done accidently or intentionally is irrelevant. Eugene H. Merrill, Deuteronomy, New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 1994), 52.

Branch, J. A. (2021). 50 Ethical Questions: Biblical Wisdom for Confusing Times (pp. 223–226). Lexham Press.