Connecting the Remnant

  Disclaimer: This article is one of a multi-part series and serves a very specific purpose for said series. Although this article may seem to suggest otherwise, the author nor administrators of this site do not support gender theory or the idea of trans-identity. 

In today’s society, the topic of gender identity is highly charged and complex, particularly within Christian circles. Many Christians are troubled by the rise of transgender identity and the medical interventions that accompany it, such as hormone replacement therapy (HRT), gender-affirming surgeries, and puberty blockers for children. These issues evoke deep concerns, often framed in terms of morality, faith, and the desire to protect others from harm. But beneath these concerns is very often an implicit assumption: we don’t fully understand gender identity, and therefore, it’s dangerous to affirm something that seems so deeply tied to our God-given biological sex.

Yet, there’s an important question we must consider: What if we one day understand it completely? What will we say when science unlocks the mysteries of gender identity and we are able to manipulate it in ways that seem to provide happiness, mental health, and fulfillment to those who feel disconnected from their biological sex?

The Rough Beginnings of Gender Research

The study of gender identity has had a troubling past. Early research, such as the notorious case of David Reimer by psychologist John Money, involved harmful experimentation in an attempt to prove that gender identity could be shaped entirely by socialization. David’s tragic story—having been raised as a girl after a botched circumcision—eventually revealed the deep psychological damage that can occur when biology and identity are forcefully misaligned. This early research cast a long shadow over the field of gender studies, fueling skepticism and caution about gender-affirming practices.

However, modern research has significantly evolved. We’ve come to understand that gender identity is not simply a matter of social conditioning but is influenced by a complex interplay of biology, psychology, and social factors. Studies have shown that transgender individuals often experience significant relief from gender dysphoria and improved quality of life when they undergo treatments such as HRT or gender-affirming surgeries. These treatments, while not without their risks, have given many people a renewed sense of happiness, mental health, and alignment with their perceived gender identity.

The Evolving Science of Gender Identity

Despite the controversial nature of these treatments, the data supporting their efficacy is growing. Multiple studies have demonstrated that transgender individuals who have access to gender-affirming care experience lower rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. In fact, research suggests that when transgender individuals are supported—whether through medical treatment or social transition—their overall mental health improves dramatically.

Consider hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which helps align one’s physical body with their gender identity. Trans individuals often report feeling more comfortable in their bodies, reducing their distress and improving their emotional well-being. Similarly, gender-affirming surgeries have resulted in overwhelmingly positive outcomes for those who pursue them, with many reporting increased life satisfaction and mental clarity.

For children, the use of puberty blockers—while controversial—has been shown to reduce the distress associated with puberty, giving young people time to explore their identity before making irreversible decisions. Although these interventions are still under study, they offer a promising solution for many.

Yet, despite these positive outcomes, Christians often approach transgender identity with trepidation. Many argue that because the science isn’t fully settled, we risk doing harm by affirming identities that appear to conflict with the physical reality of biological sex. The heart of the Christian concern is this: If we don’t know the full truth, how can we know we aren’t causing harm?

A Potential Shift: What If We Come to Understand it All?

As Christians, we often frame our objections to transgender identity around this idea of incomplete understanding. But here’s the critical question: What if science eventually offers a full understanding of the mechanisms behind gender identity?

Imagine a future where scientists fully unlock the biological, neurological, and psychological factors that create a person’s sense of gender. What if, through advances in technology, we could accurately and safely help individuals transition into a gender identity that provides them with long-term happiness, mental health, and the ability to thrive? Would our arguments, rooted in concerns about the unknown, still hold weight?

At that point, it would no longer be possible to say, “We don’t know the harm this may cause.” We would know. We would understand gender identity in the same way we understand other processes in the human body, and we would have the tools to manipulate it for the good of the individual.

If that day comes—and it seems science is heading in that direction—what will we say? Will we, as Christians, be forced to reevaluate our approach? If our arguments against transgender identity have been rooted in uncertainty, what happens when the uncertainty is removed? This is not a hypothetical we can afford to ignore.

A Simple Yet Overlooked Truth

Perhaps, in focusing on the complexity of gender identity and its unknowns, we’ve been going about our arguments all wrong. Maybe the real issue isn't whether we fully understand the science, but something much more foundational, stretching all the way back to the beginning of recorded time. Have we been too preoccupied with the physical processes of the body, while overlooking a simpler, deeper truth about human identity and our relationship with our Creator?

In the next article, we will explore this question: What if the real issue behind our discomfort with transgender identity is not rooted in science, but in something much more timeless—something that speaks directly to the very core of humanity?  To answer this question, please make your way over to "The Root of All Evil" article.