Embodied Transgender Identities, the Church, and What the Bible Has to Say

Compassionate, biblical, and thought-provoking, Embodied is an accessible guide for Christians who want help navigating issues related to the transgender conversation. Preston Sprinkle draws on Scripture as well as real-life stories of individuals struggling with gender dysphoria to help readers understand the complexities and emotions of this highly relevant topic. With careful research and an engaging style, Embodied explores:

• What it means to be transgender, nonbinary, and gender-queer, and how these identities relate to being male or female
• Why most stereotypes about what it means to be a man and woman come from the culture and not the Bible
• What the Bible says about humans created in God’s image as male and female, and how this relates to transgender experiences
• Moral questions surrounding medical interventions such as sex reassignment surgery
• Which pronouns to use and how to navigate the bathroom debate
• Why more and more teens are questioning their gender

 
Written for Christian leaders, pastors, and parents, Embodied fills the great need for Christians to speak into the confusing and emotionally charged questions surrounding the transgender conversation.
 

Dr. Preston M. Sprinkle is the president of the Center for Faith, Sexuality, and Gender and a New York Times–bestselling author who’s written a dozen books, including People to Be Loved, an award-winning book on faith and homosexuality. Preston and his wife, Chris, live in Boise, Idaho, with their four kids.

 

Preface 13
Chapter 1: People 17
Chapter 2: Ten Thousand Genders 29
Chapter 3: What Does It Mean to Be Trans*? 49
Chapter 4: Male and Female in the Image of God 63
Chapter 5: Gender Stereotypes 79
Chapter 6: But What about the Eunuch? And Other Questions … 95
Chapter 7: What about Intersex? 113
Chapter 8: Male Brain in a Female Body 127
Chapter 9: Female Soul in a Male Body 143
Interlude 153
Chapter 10: Rapid-Onset Gender Dysphoria 159
Chapter 11: Transitioning and Christian Discipleship 179
Chapter 12: Pronouns, Bathrooms, and Sleeping Spaces 199
Conclusion: Outrageous Love 221
Appendix: Suicidality and Trans* People 227
Notes 243