Language of necessity changes and develops as mankind not only fulfills the creation mandate but rediscovers ways to defy God. Today’s verbal explosion includes new gender-related terms that confirm significant and increasing interest in the subject. Although humans have been classified into two genders since Genesis 1, more options (including personal choice) are surfacing all the time. In the face of technical terms, “science falsely so called,” apparent success stories, and withering cultural scorn, two common responses are to admire the emperor’s new clothing or withdraw into uncomfortable silence.

A certain knowledge of the times helps Christians connect God’s ever-relevant Word profitably to any current situation, and J. Alan Branch’s Affirming God’s Image provides that. Presenting a clear biblical understanding of gender, Branch supplies an up-to-date link between the truth of scripture, scientific research (shortened and simplified), and the latest terminology.

Branch begins with a brief history of transgenderism, from the Roman cult of Cybele through the sexual revolution of the 60s and on up to the present.  The roots of the modern transgender movement can probably be traced to German physician Magnus Hirschfeld (1868-1935) and his acquaintance Harry Benjamin (1885-1986), who argued that “science and culture should help [people] adapt to their preferred gender.” (13) Modern “literary deconstructionists” criticize traditional descriptions of gender as too restrictive and further muddy the waters by creating an assortment of identity labels. 

Defining key transgender terms, Branch compares understanding them to missionaries’ learning a language to evangelize a people group—it does not at all mean agreeing with the local worldview.  While any sin should distress us, especially significant departures from biblical norms, Christians who yield to feelings of revulsion will completely miss the growing transgender mission field. 

Modern mental health professionals have kept abreast of language shifts with changes in their classification of mental health disorders, removing homosexuality from the list in 1974 and replacing such words as “deviant” with the more socially acceptable “alternative.”  Although genetic components can be seen in all human behaviors, zealous attempts to discover a genetic or a brain-related cause for transgenderism have been inconclusive.

Branch summarizes the Bible’s teaching in three key ideas: “Being made male and female is an intricate part of being made in God’s image” and “part of the goodness of God’s creation”; thus, “embracing a transgender identity is inconsistent with Christian ethics.” (54)  He demonstrates how healthy gender distinctions introduced in the Old Testament are affirmed in the New.

Two chapters cover current methods of attempting to alter gender, first with hormones and then with “gender reassignment surgery (GRS).”  Both bring about irreversible changes and are particularly tragic when performed upon children or young teens ill-equipped to make such drastic decisions.  Negative consequences abound; Branch repeatedly points out that a surgically-altered man is not a woman but a damaged and mutilated man.  (The chapter on GRS includes limited but frank descriptions, and “PG-18” may be an appropriate readership guideline.)

What is a Christian parent’s response to a child experiencing gender dysphoria (feeling that one’s emotional and psychological gender identity does not match his biological sex)?  Most of these cases resolve before adolescence; yet the temptation to same-sex attraction does remain for some.  Branch encourages loving your child while “affirming biblical parameters,” keeping communication open, and continuing to pray. 

Transgender people coming to the church, as Branch hopes they will, should find not only the path to obedience but grace, mercy, and support for that “unenviable journey.”  The transgender lifestyle is hard and suicide rates high.  Faithfulness to a biblical worldview will still result in differing Christian views on relating personally, in the workplace, or in church; Branch advises prayer for wisdom over acrimonious debates and pharisaical judgments.

Concise, easily read, and well-researched, Affirming God’s Image contains scientific answers and biblical exposition from a sound theological perspective. One of the book’s outstanding characteristics is the obvious love and compassion Branch expresses for the genderly confused.  If you read only one book on transgenderism, this one comes highly recommended.