Joseph W. Needham - Transgender Identity: A View through a Wide Angle Lens

2020 Joseph W. Needham

Transgender Identity

A View through a Wide Angle Lens

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

ISBN 978-1-400326617 (Paperback)

ISBN 978-1-400326624 (Hardbound)

ISBN 978-1-400326631 (eBook)

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My parents rejoice in the humanly unimaginable and indescribable holiness of the Saviors presence. Yet the Godly influence they planted and nourished while on earth continues to reap rewards and remains as an endearing testament to the Fathers everlasting faithfulness, mercy, and grace.

This book is dedicated to their memory.

T his project has been on my mind for some time. Were it not for the encouragement from family, friends, colleagues, fellow pastors and others, it would never have come to fruition. My first and foremost gratitude goes to Sybil, my wife, who in many respects co-wrote this book. Moreover, her support and companionship throughout the experience was clearly providential. Secondly is our adult child, River, of whom we are immensely proud and pleased to claim as our own. Tom Needham, Rosanne Foster, Dr. David Needham, and Mary Swartz read part or all of the manuscript and provided helpful insights. Dr. Carol Hesters observant eye brought a number of critical issues to my attention. Dr. John Ernsts notable suggestions resulted in a more discerning monograph. Im grateful to my colleagues and friends Gail Heying, Dr. Darko Zidlar, and Dr. Wade Shilts who were kind enough to examine and comment on the book. Thank you also to the team at Elm Hill Publishers whose prodding and suggestions were immensely helpful. Any errors within these pages are solely mine.

Ridgeway, Iowa, April 10, 2020

Two terms were considered seriously in naming the book. The first was Transgenderism, but in the interests of compassion and understanding the second descriptor, Transgender Identity was utilized. Its incorporation was not an arbitrary decision, nor was it easily made. Instead it resulted from considerable research, contemplation, meditation, prayer, and deliberation. Many terms carry baggage, transgenderism is no exception. One needs only to peruse websites such as Reddit, Quora, www.glaad.org/reference/transgender, and many others to secure a plethora of opinions. Some find no problem with it, while others are deeply offended. Indeed, popular author, Sheila Jeffreys, penned Gender Hurts: A Feminist Analysis of the Politics of Transgenderism, Perhaps the strongest evidence for using transgenderism is based on the position held by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health. According to its website, the organizations purpose is to promote evidence-based care, education, research, advocacy, public policy, and respect in transgender health. Moreover, its primary publication, The International Journal of Transgenderism, is a quarterly peer-reviewed academic journal covering research on gender dysphoria, the medical and psychological treatment of transgender individuals, social and legal acceptance of sex reassignment, and professional and public education on transgenderism. Nevertheless, significant opposition to the term exists so in lieu of it Transgender Identity is placed. Although some will undoubtedly disagree, the term transgender identity is incorporated into the book title and used throughout.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; who comforts us in all our affliction so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort which we ourselves are comforted by God.

2 Corinthians 1:24

D uring the past few years, a greater openness has arisen in evangelical circles regarding the avalanche of intensely personal problematic issues that the Lord allows many Christians to experience. Clearly, everyone encounters unanticipated challenges on the road of life. Marital conflict, financial pressures, occupational difficulties, sibling rivalries, and general relational discord are part of living in a fallen world. As sin-tainted beings, humans reap the consequences of disobedience, rebellion, and defiance toward the Father. Scripture is explicit in explaining that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. In fact, the Lord Jesus Himself states that there is only One who is good. Sin affects everyone and sins effects are manifested in peoples lives around the globe. In some families, relationships, and individuals, the obvious consequences of a fallen world may be more apparent than in others. For instance, many experience greater pain, grief, heartache, and loneliness than others. However, that does not in any way acknowledge, imply, or infer that they have sinned more than those who appear to agonize less.

Some will argue that perhaps those who suffer have hidden sins of which they think no one is aware. Yet one needs only to study the book of Job to observe the fallacy of such non-biblical albeit popular heresy. They may mention the scriptural principle of sowing and reaping; people reap what they sow, more than they sow, and later than they sow. Hopefully, reading this monograph will prove cathartic for those who can empathize with Jobs emotional outburst. Perhaps some hurting soul will absorb a few morsels on which to meditate and begin the long, painful, and difficult but essential path toward healing.

When it became known that several evangelical pastors and others in our denominational association faced the unusual but not uncommon issues such as transgender identity, transsexual identity, gender dysphoria, homosexuality, non-binary sexual expression, and gender non-conforming people within their families, close relationships, and congregations, some wanted to help.

Hence, this work is based upon what was gleaned from the Lord, other believers, as well as secular and Christian materials. It examines various components of transgender identity, transsexual identity, and non-binary sexual expression particularly as they affect the families, friends, and acquaintances of those who experience some component of gender dysphoria. They receive some treatment as well.

The consequences of relational or familial non-binary sexual expression for many families can become highly problematic. It affects some friends, family, and others associated closely with congregational leadership and many more who hold positions of authority within their respective churches. A scenario like this is not supposed to occur in families and others whose lives are centered on the Lord Jesus and His work. Yet while continuing on the path of reassurance, encouragement, and comfort, it becomes more and more apparent that pastors, deacons, elders, and various families in denominational leadership are exempt from nothing that the Father allows in His permissive will.Indeed, the Lord sanctions these and similar challenges to orchestrate believers complete dependence upon Him for their very being; a condition often referred to as brokenness. Unfortunately, the vast majority of evangelicals do not reach that state. However, those who never experience it cannot truly grasp the concept of total reliance upon God. But for those who do, it reveals an awesome yet humbling perspective of the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit, themselves, and their life situation. It is attainable by no other method. Furthermore, the Lord often uses broken people in ways that are available to no one else.