Austen Hartke - Transforming: The Bible and the Lives of Transgendered Christians

What a powerful read! Clear, compelling, and profoundly moving, this book should be on the shelf of every pastor, every parent, and every Christian of good conscience who wants to engage the conversation around gender and sexuality with integrity. With the patience of a teacher and the humility of a fellow traveler, Austen Hartke carefully unpacks the terminology, sociological studies, and biblical and theological perspectives that most impact transgender Christians, and he combines them with compelling personal storiesincluding his ownto point us toward truth. Its rare to find a book that manages to be this intellectually rigorous and this readable at the same time. But then, Austen Hartke is a rare talent, one we are so blessed to call part of the body of Christ. Ill be recommending this book to friends and readers for years to come.

Rachel Held Evans, author of
Searching for Sunday and Inspired

Far too often in the conversations at the intersections of LGBT+ identity and Christian faith, the trans community has been ignored. Now, with stunning clarity, scholarly insight, and extraordinary vulnerability, Austen Hartke explores trans identity through the lens of Scripture in a poignant and accessible way that challenges, convicts, and inspires everyone to lean more fully into their God-created identity. This resource challenges false narratives about gender so often promoted in nonaffirming spaces and offers a richly biblical path forward in our understanding and embrace of trans individuals into the life of the church. Transforming is truly a game changer and one of the most important theological books to have been written in recent memory.

Brandan Robertson, Lead Pastor, Missiongathering
Christian Church, author and editor, Our Witness:
The Unheard Stories of LGBT+ Christians

Austen Hartke brings such compassion, grace, and love to his ministry and advocacy. In this timely book, he gives the church a wonderful gift by amplifying the diverse voices of transgender Christians. He also issues an important, much-needed invitation, calling us all to faithful reexamination of what Scripture has to say about identity, gender, and community.

Jeff Chu, author of Does Jesus Really Love Me? A Gay
Christians Pilgrimage in Search of God in America

Austen Hartke has become a major interpreter of transgender Christian reality. This book will be recognized as a very important early contribution to an essential conversation, with so much at stake for the precious, vulnerable people whose well-being should be at the center of Christian concern.

David P. Gushee, author of Still Christian
and A Letter to My Anxious Christian Friends

The authentic, intimate stories of transgender Christians in this book unveil an image of the divine that is not monolithic but rather wonderfully multifaceted. By highlighting these stories as an important part of the trajectory of Christianity, Transforming reveals a truth about the body of Christ: that it is incomplete without the inclusion of Gods transgender children. This is a seminal book that must be read by anyone seeking to understand what it really means to be the church.

David and Constantino Khalaf, Christian
bloggers, coeditors, and authors of Modern Kinship
(forthcoming from Westminster John Knox Press)

For people who are trans or nonbinary people, the Bible can sometimes feel like a weapon that is used against us. At the same time, for those of us who are Christians, the Bible is utterly important to our faith. So whats a trans Christian, or their friends and allies, to do? Austen Hartkes book answers that question. Hartke combines careful biblical exegesis with helpful education around gender and gender identity, all wrapped in a conversational tone and packed with practical advice. This book will be a must-read for trans Christians, pastors, lay leaders, parents, and all who believe in Gods creative and transforming love.

Emily C. Heath, Senior Pastor, Congregational
Church (UCC), Exeter, New Hampshire

Hartkes Transforming is an important work of understanding, compassion, and storytelling. Hartke not only possesses great theological and biblical knowledge but has a deeply compassionate and conversational approach to a topic that is hard for many in the church. Not only will trans Christians find their own struggles reflected in these pages, but parents, allies, and people wishing to understand and know Gods transformative story for all Gods people will find a safe home in this book.

Dianna Anderson, author of Damaged Goods:
New Perspectives on Christian Purity and Problematic:
How Toxic Callout Culture Is Destroying Feminism

I am encouraged by brave individuals who have challenged old, harmful interpretations of Scripture in favor of a more loving and inclusive Christianity that more fully reflects our Jesus. Through story and Scripture, Hartke does just that, sharing the pain of exclusion and the joy of following God to becoming more fully himself. This is an important read for any Christian who believes in celebrating the diversity of creation and the value of all people.

Rachel Murr, author of Unnatural:
Spiritual Resiliency in Queer Christian Women

In Transforming, Austen Hartke makes a vital contribution to theologies both queer and Christian. This book will be invaluable to anyone seeking to understand trans lives and show respect to trans people. But Hartke is up to something more, something important: Hartke wants dialogue to take place among Christians, and he wants trans voices to be recognized as authoritative in that conversation. Hartke manages to engage evangelical perspectives respectfully, without sinking into apologetics. The trans voices in this book speak boldly, engaging Christian tradition and Scripture with refreshing insight. On its face, Transforming invites readers to perceive the marvel of trans identity; but it is also a powerful call to perceive anew what is surprising and life-giving in an authentic read of Christian faith.

Elizabeth M. Edman, author of Queer Virtue:
What LGBTQ People Know about Life and Love
and How It Can Revitalize Christianity

There has been need for a book by a young transgender Christian. Seminary-trained transgender man Austen Hartke is the right person to answer the call and fill the need. Hartke begins his book with basic terminology and expands to scriptural support for transgender persons not just being in the church, hiding unnamed in the back row, but serving in openness and authenticity. Whether you do not know any or know many transgender people of faith, youll learn from Hartkes accessible, humble, and informative writing.

Kathy Baldock, Executive Director,
Canyonwalker Connections, Reno, Nevada

Transforming

Transforming

The Bible and the Lives
of Transgender Christians

Austen Hartke

2018 Austen Hartke

Foreword 2018 Westminster John Knox Press

First edition

Published by Westminster John Knox Press

Louisville, Kentucky

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All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. For information, address Westminster John Knox Press, 100 Witherspoon Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40202-1396. Or contact us online at www.wjkbooks.com.

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission.