Understanding Transgender Identities

"Understanding Transgender Identities is a groundbreaking book that will support Christians in deepening their theological and biblical understanding and their reflections on pastoral care. The book's editors offer extensive definitions and arguments from natural and social science yet remain focused on how to best witness to God's love and serve Christ's purposes. The presence of four perspectives shows there is no simple for-and-against binary here; rather, Christian certainties, worries, concerns, and joys intersect and diverge across these four views. While this may frustrate those already solidly committed to a point of view, it may delight the intellectual and curious mind. The most grateful readers will be those sincere Christians who wish to love their transgender neighbors as themselves but are bewildered or uncertain about the linguistic, scientific, biblical, theological, and pastoral complexities associated with transgender identities. Understanding Transgender Identities will honor that sincerity while stretching readers to consider a broad range of information and viewpoints."

"Every Christian leader needs to think through questions related to transgender identities and experiences. Every Christian leader, therefore, needs to read this book and humbly and critically consider the various views. Paul Eddy and James Beilby have put together a thoughtful team of scholars addressing some of the most important ethical questions facing the church today."

"As an outsider to Christianity and an insider to transgender experience and scholarship, I found this explicitly Christian exercise in 'understanding transgender identities' to be a provocative read. Although none of the authors reference the prophet Isaiah's invitation to come 'reason together' (Isa. 1:18) as an enactment of one's faith, this is precisely what most impresses me about the book--that authors with diametrically opposed views on the compatibility of Christian and transgender identities can argue respectfully about their radically divergent interpretations of the same foundational texts. At a time when transgender issues have become weaponized in the culture wars, this is an orientation toward dialogue and encounter that we would all do well to emulate."

"This nuanced, authoritative book shows the diverse approaches to gender variance that Christians can hold with integrity. Scientifically, biblically, and theologically rigorous, Understanding Gender Identities confidently leads readers through a field too often fraught with misinformation. Readers who approach the book with a point of view about gender variance--and those who do not know what to make of it at all--will find themselves gently challenged. The authors model robust yet respectful disagreement, challenging and stirring one another. This is a book with love, compassion, and a deep yearning for truth and divine light at its heart."