The phenomenon of transgenderism not only provokes reactions, but inevitably raises questions – questions about what is real and questions about what is moral. The reality question boils down to this: Is it really the case that a person can be born with “the wrong body,” or is the person who feels this way simply confused at the level of their mind? The morality question follows on from this, but has numerous faces to it, as well as various legal implications. Perhaps understandably, differing answers to these questions tend to polarise people. This essay explores how we can we understand the transgender revolution from a Biblical perspective. 

Robert S. Smith lectures in theology, ethics and music ministry at Sydney Missionary & Bible College. He is the co-author of Songs of the Saints: Enriching our Singing by Learning from the Songs of Scripture (Matthias Media, 2017); 'Belting Out the Blues as Believers: The Importance of Singing Lament', Themelios 42.1 (2017); 'The Amorality of Atheism', Themelios 40.3 (2015), pp. 404-413; and 'Music, Singing and the Emotions: Exploring the Connections', Themelios 37.3 (2012), pp. 465–79. Rob is currently undertaking doctoral studies in the area of sex, gender and transgender.