A Rock In The Shifting Sands of Culture
How can Christians uphold biblical teachings on sexuality admidst pressure to embrace contemporary societal shifts regarding LGBTQ issues and transgender ideology?
In today’s constantly changing society, Evangelicals are facing a difficult choice. They’re struggling with the tension between sticking to what the Bible teaches and accepting popular modern ideas.
The New Testament (Romans 12:2) tells Christians not to copy the ways of the sinful world but to stand strong in their faith. However, a growing number of Evangelicals are starting to approve of recent societal changes, especially concerning LGBTQ+ issues, transgender identity, and the process of questioning long-held Christian beliefs (often called deconstruction).
The Challenge of LGBTQ+ Issues
The acceptance of LGBTQ+ rights and relationships is causing deep divisions among Evangelicals. Historically, Christian teaching, shaped by scripture, has understood marriage as a union between a man and a woman. The conflict arises as some Evangelicals try to balance these long-standing principles with a desire to be accepting and inclusive as cultural norms shift.
The core idea for resolving this conflict is recognizing that God’s Laws don’t change just because the times do. And neither does human biology.
Marriage wasn’t invented by people. God, who created human sexuality and marriage, ultimately defines what marriage and morality are. God said of a man and his wife, “And they shall become one flesh.” This refers to the completion of marriage through a sexual union that can potentially create new life. The biological definition of sexual organs is a clear fact. A true sexual union, in this context, cannot happen between two people of the same sex. A same-sex “union” or “marriage” is simply not the same as this foundational, procreative act.
Understanding Transgender Identity
Transgender identity presents another significant challenge. The theological view of sex difference is firmly based on the two biological sexes (male and female) seen in human biology and confirmed in the Bible. Recent attempts to describe gender as a "spectrum" haven’t managed to overturn this long-established foundation of human society.
People who feel confused about their “gender identity” deserve compassion. Conditions like gender dysphoria need to be treated by mental health experts, and other contributing factors should be addressed. However, any efforts by the government or individuals to encourage or help minors make permanent physical changes must be strongly opposed. Laws that exclude parents from these life-altering decisions must be removed. How can the government claim to care more about children than their own parents? What support has the state offered to teenagers who later regretted their decision to undergo life-changing surgeries?
The Deconstruction of Faith
The trend of deconstructing the Christian faith further strains unity among Evangelicals. As people examine and reevaluate their beliefs, some start a process of challenging fundamental doctrines and theological ideas they have held for a long time. While some present this process as helpful, it creates conflict within Evangelical communities that traditionally rely on shared, consistent beliefs.
A Call for Education and Dialogue
This is a serious warning for Christian leaders who have discouraged intellectual thought, opposed theological training, or failed to prepare their congregations to counter outside philosophies. Christians have a right to know why they believe what they believe. Church members must be taught to question their faith and search for solid answers. Doubting individuals belong in the Church. If those who doubt are guided and cared for, they can emerge with an even stronger faith.
The command in Romans 12:2 to resist being molded by worldly trends is increasingly relevant. The challenge for Evangelicals is figuring out where the line is drawn. Adapting to culture is necessary, but not at the cost of being faithful to biblical principles.
When criticizing the acceptance of modern trends, it’s vital to acknowledge the struggles Evangelicals face. The desire to show love and acceptance while still upholding biblical principles creates a tension that requires careful thought and sensitive conversations. This tension is reflected in Jude’s instruction: “Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh” (v. 22-23). Simply dismissing these concerns risks alienating people who are genuinely trying to live faithfully in a fast-changing world.
The internal tension among Evangelical communities over LGBTQ+ issues, transgender identity, and faith deconstruction highlights the delicate act of balancing adherence to biblical teaching with engagement in an evolving world. Romans 12:2 serves as a reminder to avoid conforming to the world’s patterns, but the difficulty lies in figuring out where cultural adaptation ends and faithfulness to scripture begins. Navigating this challenge demands a commitment to respectful discussion, understanding, and recognizing the complexity of these issues.