LeStourgeon Online

Sex, Gender, & Human Rights

Another clarifying comment from Dr. Mohler regarding sex and gender (or sex/gender):

There can be no question that some persons suffer excruciating gender confusions.  But the answer to this must be the embrace of birth gender as a central dimension of God’s will for the individual.  Christians must understand that gender –the sex of an individual — is a part of God’s glory in creation.  God’s own verdict on the creation of humanity as male and female, both made in His image, was that is was “very good.”  The transgender temptation is a repudiation of God’s own verdict on His creation and His plan for humanity.

The idea of “sex” and “gender” as different categories is a construct of the 1960s set forth by those who wanted to directly challenge the historical understanding of both.  The above quote helps set forth the real issue.  It is not that disciples of Jesus do not care about a person’s struggles or feelings.  It is not a matter of mean conservatives defining who you really are.  The issue at stake in all gender confusion issues is the rejection of teleological Creation (and, by extension, its Creator).  This rejection, as it spreads, has implications ranging far beyond mere theology - it strikes near the heart of what it means to be human, and thus, the definition of human dignity.  Those who do not ascribe to Christian teachings must ask themselves, “Who do I trust to define my inherent dignity as a person?”

The Christian understanding of persons made in the image of God contains the best and most thorough defense of basic human rights.  Each individual person is endowed by his or her Creator with inalienable rights.  These rights are more basic than unrestrained liberality or amoral immoralities.  If the Creator has given you life - it must be the default position that society not take that life away.  If the Creator has given you will - it must be the default position that society not compel your belief.  If the Creator has given you means or ability - it must be the default position that society not infringe on your rights to the fruit of your endeavors. 

These beliefs as expressed in Western societies are rooted in the core beliefs of a Creator who both provides and holds us accountable to the provision.  When we cut out the root, how well will the rest of the tree grow?  When we deny the core beliefs of the system, how well will the rest of the system continue to function?  If we care about protecting human rights, we must guard the core truths that make the widespread recognition and protection of these rights possible.  An honest commitment to human rights requires us to call a spade a spade…or rather a man a man and a woman a woman.

Posted by blestou on June 1st, 2007 — Culture, Doctrine