Sprinkle provides not just scientific and theological responses to issues related to trans* but helps readers grow in compassion and loving response to trans*. This book is so helpful for us to get a better glimpse of experiences of struggling with transgender and grow in empathy while having biblical perspectives with a more scientific understanding of these issues. I am thankful for his loving, pastoral, and truthful concerns and responses regarding this issue that he vulnerably shares for the good of trans* not just based on feelings but on through scientific studies and biblical studies.
Sprinkle starts with short snippets of the lives of those who struggled with their gender identity. She helps the readers see them as people, not as issues or debates. He sets the main question to be about human ontology to discuss the incongruence between the body and the mind with regards to their gender identity. Before jumping into a discussion, He calls for the readers to embody God’s kindness by telling us about her friend, Lesli. Chapter 2 briefly unpacks some important terms about this study on transgender identities, such as transgender, non-binary, gender dysphoria, transition, and more. He then goes more in-depth with the meaning of the two terms: Sex and Gender. Sex refers to a person’s biological status, and, He goes over external sexual anatomy, internal reproductive organs, and a Y chromosome related to sex. while mentioning opinions of social-construct views about sex, he points out the fact that sexual dimorphism exists in humans and that sex itself is not socially constructed. With gender, he points out the socially-widely-agreed-upon definition of gender since the 1960s that it refers now more to the psychological aspects, decoupled from sex. He explains in-depth gender roles, showing the effect of both nurture and nature on them, and points out that it should be based on generalities, not absolutes. With gender identity, he briefly shares a definition as one’s internal sense of self regarding her gender, and he briefly shares four main questions that have been intensely debated, but puts the emphasis on one more question: why do some people experience this incongruence? In Chapter 3, Sprinkle surveys some of the various categories of transgender, not mutually exclusive necessarily, such as gender dysphoric trans*, non-gender dysphoric trans* based on self-declaration, and more. he briefly mentions many mental health issues related to transgender to show that there’s no one-size-fits-all response to transgender experiences. he suggests that understanding that there are many different transgender experiences can help people listen, love, and make a friend instead of quickly making assumptions or depersonalized postures towards trans*.
Starting in chapter 4, Sprinkle turns to the Bible about this topic. First, he goes over what the Bible says about biological sex in Genesis 1-3 where humans bear the image of God as male and female, and their bodies are viewed as sacred. And He turns to Jesus who considered male and female differences in God’s creation account as normative and guiding moral order. he points out Paul’s view of the body as significant for moral behavior, assuming the link between the body (“your bodies”) and personhood (“you”). He presents the Bible’s prohibition on cross-sexual behavior, maintaining sex differences, both in the OT and NT. He expresses that Jesus’ incarnation affirms the goodness of our sexed embodiment as the image bearer. He shares his belief that our resurrected body will still be sexed and provides his reasons stating it’s a controversial matter. The bible, he shows how the Bible highly our sexed bodies as part of God’s original design and shows they matter to our identity or personhood. He also distinguishes biblical views towards males and females from cultural views and stereotypes, pointing out that the bible calls for godliness from both genders instead of calling for masculinity or feminity. He expresses his concerns that people may reinforce gender stereotypes, which he proves to be unbiblical, in the process of deciding their children’s gender as if these stereotypes are the essence of the meaning of gender. He helps us understand that many biblical sex-specific commands are applied to both males and females alike to be godlier and also that some of the sex-specific commands, like ones on clothing, need to be understood in a cultural context. In the following chapter, Sprinkle challenges some gender-affirming arguments based on biblical passages by correcting their interpretations, ending with calling for the church to accept trans* people without being directed by gender stereotypes. For intersex, which is often used to argue for gender identity, Sprinkle defines it more in detail to show that 88% of intersex cases are known as LOCAH and have little to no ambiguity about their biological sex. Even 99& of people with an intersex condition are not ambiguous about their biological sex. While conceptually approaching the subject of intersex, he calls for considering talking with people rather than about them. While showing that there are cases for intersex people being considered both male and female with CAIS, he argues that there are till only male or female in biological sex, and intersex should not be quickly mapped onto the issue of gender identity or vise versa, to justify the other. He also goes over brain-sex theory that brain’s biology could be sexed differently from the body’s biology. He doesn’t agree with that theory, appealing to lack of scientific evidence based on the current research while also considering neuroplasticity. Then, he challenges the sexed-soul theory to point that there’s not enough biblical or scientific evidence that gender identity/rule, or even immaterial soul, could overrule their body, even if soul were to be sexed.
From chapters 10 to 12, Sprinkle considers practical topics around trans*. He starts with Rapid Onset Gender Dysphoria and it’s a social phenomenon. His concerns about teenager transition and cross-sex hormone therapy or puberty blocks are thoughtful, well-researched, scientific, and empathetic, giving thoughtful Christian responses to both churches, its youth groups, and parents. Chapter 11 provides helpful guidance for Christian discipleship for those who struggle with transition or dysphoria, pointing them to the purpose and meaning of life and who we are as the image of God with our biological bodies and also considering the biblical ethics based on Genesis 1:27 and cross-dressing prohibition (Deut. 22:5) and sex distinctions mentioned by Paul (1 Cor. 11:2-16). Also, he provides practical lenses and concerns about the issue with current most studies with methodological and longitudinal problems. With regards to those who’ve transitioned, Sprinkle calls churches to welcome trans*, whether non-transitioned or transitioned and make meaningful relationships with them and support them in different situations they are in, taking this discipleship as a long process. Lastly, he gets to other practical issues and provides Christian responses with a lot of good nuances to bathroom/sleeping stage usage and pronoun usage.
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From the Publisher
With careful research and an engaging style, Embodied explores:
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Why more and more teens are questioning their gender. |
Practical advice about which pronouns to use and how to navigate the bathroom debate. |
How being created in God’s image as male and female relates to transgender experiences. |
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| Scandalous Grace | Embodied | Does the Bible Support Same-Sex Marriage? | Exiles | |
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| Price | $17.89 | $12.99 | $7.67 | $17.49 |
| Description | Reveals God’s stubborn delight in His enemies–how He doesn’t just forgive us but actually enjoys us with an unleashed, undomesticated, and scandalous grace first shown on the pages of the Old Testament. | A thoughtful Christian approach to the transgender conversation that radiates both love and compassion while navigating the theological, scientific, and relational complexity of the topic. | With a scholar’s mind and a pastor’s heart, Preston Sprinkle offers a thoughtful and gracious treatment of one of the most divisive topics of our time—whether the Bible supports same-sex marriage. | A timely exploration of the intersection of faith and politics, Exiles examines the political identity of the Church throughout history and offers practical guidance for Christians living in today’s secular society. |
About the author
Nuanced, gracious and informed read
Preston provides a much needed nuanced gracious and informed read for Christians looking to learn more about the experiences of people who identify as transgender. He addresses theological and ontological questions, yet manages to return the reader to the stories of individual people experiencing gender dyphoria or wrestling with gender identity. Often reminding us that "if we have met one transgender person we have met one transgender person." He humanizes a contentious conversation about real image bearing people, gives practical advise about common questions, and reminds us of the posture of Christ.I leave you with a few quality quotes:"Our truth will not be heard until our grace is felt, because the greatest apologetic for truth is love." Preston Sprinkle, Embodied"Meeting the needs of trans* people, removing any barriers that stand between them and the gospel, is important kingdom work. Christ died for everyone, but he also had a particular yearning to reach those who had been marginalized and ignored by the majority -- and so should we." Preston Sprinkle, Embodied"Correct science and correct theology are pointless if we're not willing to love and honor, listen to and learn from, care for and be cared for by the trans* people God has gifted us with. Jesus cherishes them and values them. Would they say the same about you?" Preston Sprinkle, Embodied
Top reviews from other countries
American in Japan
Loving introduction to understanding and responding to issues trans* people face on a daily basis
Reviewed in Japan on February 2, 2021Kyla
Great book!! Everyone should read it....
Reviewed in Canada on February 1, 2021
