A Short Statement on Gender Dysphoria
What is Gender dysphoria? Gender Dysphoria is defined as being in a state of severe distress or unhappiness caused by feeling that one’s gender identity does not match one’s sex as registered at birth. This may be a temporary dysphoria that goes away at the end of puberty (transient) or it may last for one’s entire life (persistent). And lastly there’s the group that seems to be developing gender dysphoria as a result of social pressure. And while we may be inclined to see this group as negligible, they suffer under the same distress as the others do. (And while technically not gender dysphoria those who have been born with an abnormal biology (intersex) often suffer under similar distress)
Gender Dysphoria, similarly to homosexuality, is often perceived as choice and as such those who suffer under this are often discriminated against (by jokes, ridicule, contempt, condemnation, being avoided). While Gender Dysphoria is relatively rare, the psychic pain is still very real. Add to this the greater incidences of depression, anxiety, and substance abuse of those suffering gender dysphoria and the very high rate of suicide, it becomes clear, that Gender Dysphoria must not be taken lightly.
At its core, Gender Dysphoria is a struggle with our God given identity and a departure from accepting oneself as God created. However, Gender dysphoria is not to be treated as better or worse than any other manifestation of sin. It is one of many sins stemming from human fallenness. It should be addressed with compassion and support, guiding individuals towards reconciliation with God.
It is exactly for the broken world, that our God has given us humans his Church as a place for everyone who is suffering in any way under the consequences of sin, including those struggling with gender dysphoria, offering support and understanding within the context of God’s truth. We recognize that having someone, maybe even a pastor, walk alongside a person dealing with Gender Dysphoria, with the gospel comfort and guidance of the Word is vital.
The FELSISA is a community of sinners saved by grace, yet we stand firmly against sin. Therefore those who do not want to accept the truth of God’s Word and his call to repentance as a chance for new life and rather persist in expressing their desires in this life, then it will be necessary to put them under Christian discipline, hoping and praying that this will lead them to repentance to trust in God’s promise of deliverance and to order their life in accord with the Creator’s intent–so that they receive the means of grace, because as with all sinners, the grace of God applies also to people suffering under gender dysphoria. God’s wish to forgive, as well as the unconditional love of Christ are to be made known to them just as they are to every other sinner. Repentant sinners are permitted and encouraged to be involved in the workings of the congregation, and also to be strengthened by the Sacrament of Communion.
While we acknowledge the enduring struggles faced by those dealing with gender dysphoria, recognizing the complexity and enduring nature of their experiences, we bring this matter to God in prayer, in the sure knowledge that God can turn the situation for the better. At the same time, we accept that God may not do so for reasons not necessarily known to us, and this may be a cross to bear. A life of celibacy may be the path that is the best option.
As for those suffering disorder of sex development, it would be good to encourage treatment of the condition in a way that allows the greatest possible fullness of service to Christ and others by the individual. It may even be preferable to not do extensive medical treatment, but rather to make the person come to terms with their body.
What we offer as a church is not a quick fix or a removal of the cross but rather comfort in Jesus. It is not our job to fix the world, because that has already been taken care of by Christ and will find its fruition on the last day. We will ultimately not fix ourselves (or people suffering Gender Dysphoria) or creation but rather are called to care for those who are suffering in this broken world of wounds and help them live their purpose of loving God and serving their neighbour.
We do not offer those who come to the church a life free from suffering. Especially when dealing with people who will have to live with something that they may not seem to have the strength to endure, we offer the surety, that God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it (1 Cor. 10:13). But for them to be able to endure this cross they need to be in a relationship with God. But this does not mean that they can handle their cross alone. We as the church provide a place that helps those afflicted to bear their burden, rather than merely exhorting them to struggle nobly against their inclinations. It is a struggle that defies our understanding and whose only solution is not to rely upon our own powers, but to find comfort in Christ whose power is made perfect not only despite our weakness but in our weakness (2 Cor 12:9). Everything may be to the glory of God. Even our struggle with our sexual identity and how we deal with it, may provide a witness of the gospel and our identity as Christians.
What we offer those who are struggling under their cross, be it Gender Dysphoria or whatever, is the sure knowledge, that there is nothing wrong with their essential humanity as they are God’s good creation just as every other human being. They are loved by God and that no matter what is wrong with them, we can always point to the cleansing power of Jesus’ blood. Nothing is more powerful in the life of every person—for all of us fallen people—than the forgiveness that is given through the suffering and death of our Lord Jesus.
Lastly, we hold to an eschatological hope, a hope that goes beyond this time. We believe that an end is coming and that on the day of Judgment, we shall all be made new again. Our resurrected bodies, both flesh and soul, will be of a spiritual nature (1 Cor. 15:44) and thus incorruptible, glorious, and full of vitality (1 Cor. 15:42-43; Phil. 3:21; Matt. 13:43). All defects will be erased because these are only a consequence of sin (Dan 12:3). Therefore, since our sexual identity is eternal and since our resurrection bodies will be absent of every disease and disorder, we can assume intersex people will be raised as men and women, even if, due to the fall, their sex was questioned during their earthly life. People suffering under gender dysphoria will finally know a sense of congruity between their objective bodies and their mental experiences of their sex. It would therefore be prudent to respect our bodies, not as something disposable but rather to treat them in such a way that we believe they shall be raised again.
For more information
Developing pastoral guidelines on dealing with Gender Dysphoria (with a special focus on our Christ-Identity) by Werner Wilhelm Straeuli
‘Gender Identity Disorder or Gender Dysphoria in Christian Perspective’. Commission on Theology and Church Relations The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, 17 April 2014. https://files.lcms.org/dl/f/53E2B773-CD82-4B0D-96F4-D3FB56B17952
‘Human Sexuality: A Theological Perspective’. Commission on Theology and Church Relations The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, 10 January 1981. https://www.projectwittenberg.org/pub/resources/text/wittenberg/mosynod/web/sxty-01.html
Wendland, Paul O. ‘A Pastoral Statement on the Transgender Movement’, 2019. http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/4507.
Thompson, David. ‘Christians and the Identity Movement’. Issues, Etc. Ac-cessed 5 February 2022. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/issues-etc/id284220611?i=1000553760265.
FELSISA Table Talk + Pastoral Guidelines for dealing with Gender Disphoria
https://youtu.be/5z_42uIMtD0?si=BlIDhjfDS_Ktq2UD
Gender Dysphoria – Dr. Reitze Rodseth speaking in Kirchdorf, South Africa
https://www.youtube.com/live/xOonA631zbw?si=dNoCYwPkiWIblpok
