Created Male and Female: A Biblical Response to Transgenderism

Created Male and Female: A Biblical Response to Transgenderism

"So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them." — Genesis 1:27 (NASB)

Introduction

Few issues in modern society have generated as much confusion, emotion, and division as transgenderism. Questions surrounding gender identity touch nearly every area of life, affecting families, churches, schools, workplaces, and countless individuals who sincerely wrestle with feelings of confusion, loneliness, or distress. For many, these struggles are deeply personal and should never become the object of ridicule or political exploitation. Christians are called to respond differently. Scripture commands believers to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15), to treat every person with dignity because they bear the image of God (Genesis 1:26–27; James 3:9), and at the same time to refuse to redefine God's truth in an effort to accommodate the changing beliefs of society.

The question before us is not whether people experience genuine struggles with gender dysphoria. Many do, and those struggles can be profound. Nor is the question whether Christians should love those who identify as transgender. The answer is unequivocally yes. Christ calls us to love our neighbors, extend compassion, and proclaim the hope of the gospel to every person without partiality.

The real question is this: What has God revealed about humanity?

Modern culture begins with the individual and asks, "Who do I feel myself to be?" The Bible begins with the Creator and asks, "Who did God create me to be?" Those two starting points lead to very different conclusions. Scripture consistently teaches that our identity is not something we invent but something we receive. We are not self-created beings free to redefine ourselves according to our feelings. We are creatures fashioned by an infinitely wise Creator who knows us better than we know ourselves and whose design is always good.

For that reason, any biblical discussion of transgenderism must begin where the Bible begins—not with psychology, politics, or contemporary culture, but with creation itself.

God's Good Design Begins at Creation

The opening chapters of Genesis establish the foundation for every biblical discussion concerning human identity. Before there was sin, suffering, death, or brokenness, there was God's perfect design.

"Then God said, 'Let Us make mankind in Our image, according to Our likeness...'" (Genesis 1:26, NASB)

The Hebrew word translated "image" is צֶלֶם (tselem), referring to a representation or likeness. Humanity was created to uniquely reflect God's character and rule within creation. Unlike the animals, human beings possess inherent dignity because they alone bear God's image.

Genesis immediately continues:

"So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them." — Genesis 1:27 (NASB)

Notice that Scripture deliberately joins two truths together. Humanity bears God's image, and humanity exists as male and female. The distinction between the sexes is not presented as an unfortunate biological reality or a cultural convention. It is woven into God's original declaration of what is "very good" (Genesis 1:31).

This distinction is not merely physical. Throughout Genesis 1 and 2, the complementary nature of man and woman forms the basis for marriage, family, procreation, and the continuation of humanity. God's design was never arbitrary. Every aspect of creation reflects His wisdom and purpose.

Genesis 2 expands upon this design by describing the creation of Eve from Adam's side and establishing the first marriage.

"For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh." — Genesis 2:24 (NASB)

Marriage is not introduced as a human invention but as a divine institution flowing directly from God's creation of male and female. The complementarity of the sexes is therefore not incidental to biblical theology—it is foundational.

Several chapters later, Moses reiterates the same truth.

"He created them male and female, and He blessed them and named them Mankind in the day when they were created." — Genesis 5:2 (NASB)

It is significant that God names humanity. Throughout Scripture, naming signifies authority. Adam names the animals because God gave him dominion over them. Parents name their children because they exercise God-given authority within the family. Here, God Himself names humanity according to His created order. Identity is therefore received from the Creator rather than constructed by the creature.

This principle echoes throughout the Bible. God repeatedly gives new names to people—not because they reinvented themselves, but because He declared His purpose for them. Abram became Abraham. Jacob became Israel. Simon became Peter. In every case, identity flowed from God's revelation rather than human self-definition.

That truth remains just as relevant today.

We Are Wonderfully Made for God's Purpose

One of the greatest lies of our culture is that fulfillment comes through self-discovery detached from God. Scripture teaches the opposite. True fulfillment comes from discovering the purpose for which our Creator made us.

David celebrates this reality in Psalm 139.

"For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother's womb. I will give thanks to You, because I am awesomely and wonderfully made; wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well." — Psalm 139:13–14 (NASB)

The Hebrew verb translated "formed" is יָצַר (yāṣar), a word often used of a potter carefully shaping clay. The picture is deeply personal. God is not portrayed as a distant architect who merely initiated life. He is the divine Craftsman who intentionally fashions every human being according to His wisdom.

Likewise, Paul writes:

"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them." — Ephesians 2:10 (NASB)

The Greek word translated "workmanship" is ποίημα (poiēma), from which the English word poem is derived. It refers to something skillfully made—a masterpiece, a work of craftsmanship.

The implication is profound. Our lives are not accidents. Our bodies are not mistakes. We are intentionally created by God for His purposes.

This does not mean every person enjoys perfect physical health or never experiences emotional suffering. We live in a fallen world, and every aspect of creation bears the scars of sin. Nevertheless, our brokenness does not erase God's design. A damaged masterpiece is still the work of the Master.

This truth changes how Christians approach identity. Rather than asking, "How can I become the person I imagine myself to be?" Scripture teaches us to ask, "Who has God created me to be, and how can I glorify Him with the life He has given me?"

The answer to that question is the beginning of genuine freedom.

The Fall Explains Why We Experience Inner Conflict

One objection often raised is sincere: "If God created me, why do I experience feelings that seem inconsistent with my biological sex?"

The Bible answers that question, not by denying those feelings, but by explaining the condition of the human race.

Genesis 3 records humanity's rebellion against God. Sin did not merely introduce guilt into the world; it brought corruption into every aspect of creation. Minds became darkened. Bodies became subject to disease and death. Relationships fractured. Desires became disordered. The image of God remained, but every part of human existence became affected by the Fall.

This explains why every person experiences internal struggles. Some battle pride, others anger, envy, greed, anxiety, lust, addiction, same-sex attraction, or gender dysphoria. These struggles differ from person to person, but they all point to the same reality: we live in a creation longing for redemption.

Paul describes creation as groaning under the effects of sin while awaiting its future restoration (Romans 8:20–23). Our present experience, therefore, should not be mistaken for God's original design. Brokenness is real, but brokenness is not normative.

For that reason, Christians must be careful not to define themselves by their strongest feelings or deepest struggles. Scripture consistently teaches that our hearts can be deceived (Jeremiah 17:9), our minds require renewal (Romans 12:2), and our desires must be brought into submission to Christ.

Jesus Himself declared:

"If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me." — Luke 9:23 (NASB)

Notice that Christ does not call His followers to express every desire they experience. He calls them to submit every part of themselves to Him. That command applies equally to every believer, regardless of what particular temptations or struggles they face.

The Christian life is therefore not one of self-definition but of continual transformation. God does not simply affirm us as we are. Through His Spirit, He reshapes us into the image of His Son.

Paul explains humanity's fundamental problem in Romans 1:

"For they exchanged the truth of God for falsehood, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator..." — Romans 1:25 (NASB)

Every sin ultimately reflects this exchange. We place our own understanding above God's revealed truth. The solution is not to redefine reality according to our perceptions but to allow our perceptions to be transformed by God's truth.

This principle prepares us for the teaching of Jesus Himself, who affirmed God's design for humanity not by appealing to contemporary culture but by returning to the beginning—to creation itself.

Jesus Affirmed God's Design for Humanity

Some have suggested that because Jesus never specifically addressed transgenderism, Christians should remain silent on the subject as well. While it is true that the modern concept of transgender identity did not exist in first-century Judaism, it is incorrect to conclude that Jesus had nothing to say about human identity. In fact, when questioned about marriage and sexuality, our Lord deliberately returned His listeners to the very foundation established in Genesis.

When the Pharisees attempted to test Him concerning divorce, Jesus answered by appealing, not to cultural customs or rabbinic traditions, but to God's original design.

"And He answered and said, 'Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning MADE THEM MALE AND FEMALE, and said, "FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH"? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, no person is to separate.'" — Matthew 19:4–6 (NASB)

Jesus could have based His answer on countless Old Testament laws governing marriage, yet He intentionally chose to go back to creation itself. His reasoning is significant. Before discussing marriage, He first reaffirmed that humanity was created male and female. The distinction between the sexes was not incidental to His argument—it was the foundation upon which His teaching rested.

This passage reminds us that Jesus did not view Genesis as myth, poetry detached from history, or merely symbolic theology. He treated Adam and Eve as real people, creation as historical fact, and God's design for humanity as permanently authoritative. For Christ, the answer to confusion about marriage began with clarity about creation.

That same principle applies today. When our culture asks questions about gender identity, Christians must begin where Jesus began—with the Creator's design.

Identity Is Not Determined by Feelings

Modern society frequently teaches that a person's deepest identity is found by looking inward. If an individual's internal feelings differ from his or her biological sex, those feelings are often treated as the person's truest reality.

The Bible consistently presents the opposite pattern.

Throughout Scripture, God repeatedly calls His people to trust His wisdom above their own perceptions.

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight." — Proverbs 3:5–6 (NASB)

Our feelings are real, but they are not infallible. Every Christian recognizes this principle in countless areas of life. A person may sincerely feel overwhelming anger, yet Scripture forbids sinful wrath. Someone may strongly desire revenge, but Christ commands forgiveness. Another may experience greed, envy, lust, or pride, yet those desires are not validated simply because they are deeply felt.

Gender dysphoria should be approached with the same biblical compassion and honesty. The distress is real. The struggle may be intense. But Scripture never teaches that internal feelings possess greater authority than God's revealed design.

Instead, believers are called to allow God's truth to reshape the way they think.

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind..." — Romans 12:2 (NASB)

Transformation begins not by redefining reality but by allowing God's Word to renew our understanding of reality.

Understanding Jesus' Teaching About Eunuchs

Perhaps the most common biblical passage cited in support of transgender ideology is Jesus' discussion of eunuchs later in Matthew 19. Because this text is frequently misunderstood, it deserves careful examination.

After explaining God's design for marriage, the disciples remarked that remaining unmarried might be preferable. Jesus responded:

"For there are eunuchs who were born that way from their mother's womb; and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by people; and there are also eunuchs who made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who is able to accept this, let him accept it." — Matthew 19:12 (NASB)

Some modern writers claim this passage recognizes transgender identities. A careful reading, however, reveals that Jesus is speaking about something entirely different.

The Greek word translated "eunuch" is εὐνοῦχος (eunouchos). Throughout biblical and ancient literature, the word refers to a man who is incapable of fathering children, either because of a congenital condition, physical castration, or voluntary celibacy. Jesus Himself identifies these three categories.

First, there are those "born that way from their mother's womb." These are men born with physical abnormalities or conditions preventing marriage or procreation.

Second, there are those "made eunuchs by people." Throughout the ancient Near East, boys were sometimes castrated to serve in royal courts, protecting the king's wives and maintaining political loyalty.

Third, Jesus speaks of those who "made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven." He is not referring to self-castration but to voluntary celibacy. The apostle Paul later describes singleness in similar terms, explaining that some believers willingly remain unmarried in order to devote themselves more fully to the Lord (1 Corinthians 7:32–35).

None of these categories concerns changing one's biological sex. None describes a person identifying as the opposite gender. None suggests that God's creation of humanity as male and female has somehow been replaced.

The context confirms this conclusion. Jesus is answering a discussion about marriage, not gender identity. Importing modern categories into this passage requires reading twenty-first century ideas back into a first-century conversation where they simply do not exist.

Preserving God's Created Distinctions

Some object that the Old Testament has nothing meaningful to contribute to this discussion because Christians are no longer under the Mosaic Law. While it is true that believers are not under the Law as a covenant (Romans 6:14; Galatians 3:23–25), the moral principles revealed within the Law continue to teach us about God's character and His design for humanity.

One frequently discussed passage is Deuteronomy 22:5.

"A woman shall not wear man's clothing, nor shall a man put on a woman's clothing; for whoever does these things is an abomination to the LORD your God." — Deuteronomy 22:5 (NASB)

The immediate command concerns clothing, but the underlying principle reaches beyond garments themselves. Clothing styles vary widely from culture to culture. Robes were common for men in biblical times, while modern Western men commonly wear trousers. The issue is therefore not the particular style of clothing but the intentional presentation of oneself as the opposite sex.

Throughout Scripture, God consistently preserves the distinction between male and female established at creation. Deuteronomy 22:5 reflects that broader principle. It is not an isolated command detached from Genesis but an application of God's created order within Israel's covenant life.

Likewise, when Paul addresses the Corinthians, he again grounds his teaching in creation rather than merely local custom.

"But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ." — 1 Corinthians 11:3 (NASB)

Later in the chapter, Paul repeatedly appeals to creation itself, arguing from the order established in Genesis. While the specific cultural expression of head coverings has been debated throughout church history, the underlying principle is much clearer: God intends men and women to remain distinguishable according to His created design.

Neither Moses nor Paul attempts to erase the distinction between the sexes. Instead, both affirm it as something beautiful, purposeful, and worthy of honor.

Does Galatians 3:28 Eliminate Male and Female?

Another passage frequently cited in discussions of gender identity is Galatians 3:28.

"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus." — Galatians 3:28 (NASB)

Some suggest Paul is abolishing all distinctions between men and women. The context demonstrates otherwise.

Paul is discussing salvation, not creation. His point is that every believer stands equally justified before God through faith in Christ. Ethnicity does not disappear after conversion. Social roles do not disappear. Men and women do not cease to exist as distinct sexes. Rather, none of these distinctions determines one's standing before God.

The very same apostle who wrote Galatians also wrote Ephesians, Corinthians, and the Pastoral Epistles, where he continues to recognize the distinctions between husbands and wives, fathers and children, elders and deacons, and men and women within the church.

Equality before God does not erase the diversity God Himself created.

Instead, the gospel dignifies every person equally while preserving God's beautiful design for humanity.

What About Intersex Conditions?

One question that frequently arises in these discussions concerns individuals born with intersex conditions, sometimes called disorders (or differences) of sexual development. These are genuine medical conditions involving abnormalities in chromosomes, hormones, or reproductive anatomy. Such conditions are rare, but they are real, and those who experience them deserve compassion, careful medical treatment, and the loving support of the church.

Some argue that because intersex conditions exist, the biblical distinction between male and female must be viewed as fluid rather than fixed. While this conclusion has become increasingly common in modern culture, it does not follow from either Scripture or medicine.

The existence of physical abnormalities does not eliminate God's original design. We recognize this principle in every other area of creation. Some people are born blind, yet blindness does not redefine God's design for sight. Others are born with congenital heart defects, yet those conditions do not change God's design for the human heart. Likewise, disorders of sexual development do not erase the biblical pattern established in Genesis. Instead, they remind us that we live in a fallen creation awaiting complete restoration.

Jesus Himself acknowledged that some people were "born" as eunuchs (Matthew 19:12), recognizing that unusual physical conditions exist in a broken world. Yet even there, He never suggested that these rare situations abolished God's creation of humanity as male and female.

Christians should therefore approach intersex conditions with humility rather than simplistic answers. Every individual deserves careful pastoral care and wise medical counsel. At the same time, compassion should never require abandoning the clear pattern established by God's Word.

The Gospel Offers Something Greater Than Self-Redefinition

If the Christian message ended with, "Don't do this," it would not be good news. The gospel is not merely a list of prohibitions. It is the announcement that God, through Jesus Christ, restores what sin has broken.

Every human being enters this world affected by the Fall. Our brokenness may express itself differently from one person to another, but no one comes before God without the need for grace. The gospel therefore levels the ground at the foot of the cross. None of us is saved because we naturally fit God's design perfectly. We are saved because Christ died for sinners.

Paul reminds the Corinthians that the transforming power of the gospel reaches every kind of sinner.

"Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexual offenders, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor those habitually drunk, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God." — 1 Corinthians 6:9–11 (NASB)

The beauty of that passage is not found merely in the warning. It is found in the words, "Such were some of you." The gospel changes people. Christ does not simply affirm us in our sin; He forgives us, cleanses us, sanctifies us, and begins the lifelong work of conforming us to His image.

Paul expresses the same truth elsewhere.

"Therefore if anyone is in Christ, this person is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come." — 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NASB)

Notice that Scripture speaks of becoming a new creation, not a self-created person. Our identity is ultimately found neither in our temptations nor in our achievements, but in our union with Jesus Christ.

Our Bodies Matter to God

Modern culture often separates the mind from the body, suggesting that the body is little more than a shell housing our true identity. The Bible rejects that separation.

God created both body and soul. Christ became truly human by taking on a real human body. He rose bodily from the dead, and believers likewise await the resurrection of their bodies.

Paul writes:

"For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform the body of our lowly condition into conformity with His glorious body..." — Philippians 3:20–21 (NASB)

Our hope is not escape from the body but the redemption of the body.

This is profoundly significant. If our physical bodies were merely irrelevant containers, there would be no need for resurrection. Instead, Scripture teaches that God's final act of redemption includes restoring the very bodies He created. The resurrection affirms the goodness of creation and God's commitment to completing the work He began.

The Christian hope is therefore not found in reconstructing ourselves according to our desires but in awaiting the day when Christ removes every effect of the Fall forever.

Speaking the Truth in Love

How, then, should Christians respond to those who identify as transgender?

The answer is neither compromise nor condemnation.

Followers of Christ must reject ridicule, cruelty, mockery, and hatred. Every person we encounter bears the image of God and deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. The church should be a place where people struggling with every kind of sin or brokenness hear both the truth of God's Word and the hope of His grace.

At the same time, genuine love refuses to affirm what God has not affirmed. Love is not the abandonment of truth; neither is truth an excuse to abandon love.

Paul instructs believers to be "speaking the truth in love" (Ephesians 4:15). John describes Jesus as One who came "full of grace and truth" (John 1:14). Those two qualities were never in conflict in the life of Christ, and they should never be separated in the life of His church.

This means Christians should listen carefully, speak gently, avoid unnecessary offense, and demonstrate genuine compassion toward those experiencing gender dysphoria. Yet compassion must always point people toward God's design rather than away from it. Our goal is not to win arguments but to faithfully point people to the Savior.

Conclusion

The Bible's teaching on humanity is remarkably consistent. From the opening chapters of Genesis to the closing promises of Revelation, Scripture presents human beings as intentionally created by God, uniquely bearing His image, and designed as male and female according to His wisdom.

Sin has unquestionably brought confusion, suffering, and brokenness into every part of human existence. None of us experiences life exactly as God originally intended. Every believer carries struggles that require daily dependence upon His grace. Yet our brokenness never becomes the standard by which truth is measured. God's Word—not our feelings, culture, or personal experiences—remains the final authority for understanding who we are.

This is not bad news. It is profoundly hopeful.

The God who formed you in your mother's womb knows you completely. He has never been confused about who you are. He has never made a mistake in creating you. He loves you enough to tell you the truth, and He loves you enough to provide redemption through His Son.

Our culture tells us to look within ourselves to discover our identity. Scripture calls us to look to our Creator. The deepest fulfillment in life is not found by redefining God's design but by embracing it. We find true freedom not in becoming whoever we imagine ourselves to be, but in becoming the person God created us to be.

One day, when Christ returns, every effect of the Fall will finally be removed. Every wound will be healed. Every sorrow will cease. Every struggle with sin will end. The God who created us will complete the work of redemption He began.

Until that day, His invitation remains open to every person:

"Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." — Matthew 11:28 (NASB)

The answer to humanity's deepest questions has never been found in self-definition.

It has always been found in the One who created us, redeemed us, and is restoring us into His glorious image.

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB® (New American Standard Bible), Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.