My work on this article led to extensive research on several cases with the extraordinary tapestry of human experience. I've encountered illnesses so rare they exist only in hushed whispers within medical journals, and witnessed the awe-inspiring strength people muster in the face of unimaginable challenges. These encounters have instilled in me a profound respect for the diversity of human forms and the resilience of the human spirit.
But alongside this respect, there rests a responsibility. As a Christian apologist, navigating the intersection of faith and these unique experiences, particularly those related to LGBTQ+ and intersex conditions, can feel like traversing a tightrope over a canyon of complex questions. Yet, it's a vital conversation we must undertake, not with judgment or dogma, but with open hearts and minds illuminated by the guiding light of scripture and knowledge; in 1 Timothy 4:13 the Apostle Paul encouraged Timothy to give attention to reading.
Genesis 1:27 declares, "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them." These words have served as a cornerstone of faith for millennia, yet in today's world, interpretations and applications of this verse can spark fervent debate, often shrouded in fear and misunderstanding. My aim is not to contribute to the noise, but to gently untangle the threads of scripture and science, seeking out a space where faith and compassion can flourish together.
This journey won't be easy. We'll grapple with challenging questions, unpack nuanced interpretations, and confront perspectives that may not be so common. But it's through such respectful dialogue guided by the Holy Spirit that we can earnestly contend for the faith once delivered to the saints.
First, let’s explain these concepts from the medical perspective;
Intersex: This umbrella term encompasses individuals born with sex characteristics that don't fit the typical binary of male or female. It's estimated that 1 in 160 individuals are intersex, meaning variations in chromosomes, gonads, hormones, or genitalia can occur.
Medically:
Chromosomal variations: Some intersex individuals have chromosomal configurations other than XX (female) or XY (male), such as XXY, XO, or mosaicism (a mixture of cell lines).
Gonadal discrepancies: Some individuals might have both testes and ovaries, one of each, or gonads that don't clearly appear as testes or ovaries.
Genital ambiguity: Some individuals have external genitalia that appear to be both male and female or don't clearly resemble either.
Individually: Intersex people experience their identities and challenges in diverse ways. Some may choose to identify as male, female, or neither, while others embrace the term "intersex" itself.
LGBTQ+: This acronym represents a spectrum of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities that differ from the heteronormative majority. (Notice the term orientations that I emphasized)
Medically:
Sexual orientation refers to the enduring physical, emotional, and romantic attraction towards others. LGBTQ+ individuals might identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, pansexual, asexual, etc.
Gender identity refers to a person's internal sense of self as male, female, or somewhere outside the binary. Transgender individuals experience a disconnect between their assigned sex at birth and their inner gender identity.
Individually: LGBTQ+ individuals also navigate a diverse range of experiences and identities.
While research is in progress on the actual causes of Intersex conditions and LGBTQ+, it is important to note that the position of the Bible has been well stated; the original creation of God was Male and Female. It is not uncommon today to have a variance outside of God’s original creation. Let me give you two examples;
The case of divorce. Originally, God established the institution of marriage, till death separates the union. Today, we have divorce as a man-made intervention; in the beginning, it was not so.
The case of pharmaceutical errors and genetic engineering. According to Matti and Tuija, in a research paper on Genetic Engineering and the Risk of Harm, they stated that “there are many risks involved in genetic engineering. The release of genetically altered organisms in the environment can increase human suffering, decrease animal welfare, and lead to ecological disasters.”
Apart from this, there are also instances of medications that have been linked to causing gene mutations in humans, I will give you 4 examples of these;
Thalidomide: This infamous drug, prescribed in the 1950s to treat morning sickness, caused severe limb malformations in thousands of babies exposed in utero. While the exact mechanism is still debated, it's suspected that thalidomide disrupted cell division during fetal development, leading to limb defects.
Retinoic acid: This acne medication, when mistakenly taken during pregnancy, has been associated with an increased risk of birth defects like craniofacial malformations and heart problems. Although the precise mechanism isn't fully understood, it's possible retinoic acid interferes with gene expression in developing embryos.
Chemotherapy drugs: Some cancer treatments involve powerful drugs that target rapidly dividing cells, inadvertently affecting other rapidly dividing cells like sperm and egg cells. While causing mutations in these cells is rare, it carries the potential risk of passing genetic alterations to offspring.
Antibiotics: A recent study suggests certain antibiotics might potentially interact with DNA repair pathways, increasing the risk of mutations in some individuals. However, more research is needed to confirm this effect and its potential consequences.
While preparing this article, I asked myself, why is it that in the entire Biblical timeline, covering about 4, 100 years, none of these cases were ever mentioned? The answer I was able to get is that it’s possible that they were present but were not yet named. All the same, the truth is that the advent of these cases didn’t start becoming so loud until around the 1800s.
Speaking of LGBTQ, I have encountered some females who have deep voices and at least 2 males who have voices or gestures common to females, but this does not make them become males or females sexually. When I asked a medical practitioner about this, he explained to me that what makes a male or female is essentially the presence of the testicles (for males), ovaries and womb (for females). So, when a male who has testicles decides to change his gender to female, just because he has a soft voice or gesticulates like females, it’s only his choice, not a matter of creation; it’s like deciding to call a person a cheater just because they can run fast; yes I understand some people will call that an oversimplification of the issue, but think about it again.
Is it not because of these “human choices” that many members of the LGBTQ+ undergo dangerous surgeries like Facial Feminization Surgery (FFS), Masculinization Surgery, Top Surgery (Chest masculinization or feminization), Bottom Surgery (Genital masculinization or feminization), leading to hazards like bleeding and infection, nerve damage, unrealistic expectations, loss of nipple sensation, implant complications, and sexual dysfunction? These are facts from medical perspectives, not just my makeup.
Look, we are not trying to exclude a particular section of the community just because we hate them, not at all; we love them with the love of Jesus, but love does not mean we silence the truth and allow lies to thrive.
“While preparing this article, Google Bard AI repeatedly refused to give me the passage of the Bible in Romans 1:21-29 (KJV) stating that the passage has been used to discriminate against LGBTQ+ individuals.” In other words, we have even programmed our Artificial Intelligence to carefully refuse to provide Bible passages that speak against these things, but can this effort change the truth that has already been written?
I will pick out some verses from that passage as Paul writes with the leading of the Holy Spirit “ (21) Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened… (24) Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: (27) And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. (28) And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient.” [Emphasis Mine]
What are those things which are not convenient today? The bleeding, infection, poor healing of incisions, hematoma, nerve injury, stenosis of the vagina, inadequate depth of the vagina, injury to the urinary tract, abnormal connections between the urethra and the skin, painful intercourse and anesthesia risks (plasticsurgery.org).
In the end, there is no health condition that you cannot use for God’s glory, the question is whether you want to glorify God in the first place or not.
Compiled by
Caleb Oladejo
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