…There’s not much literature about this group of people when they become Christians. How would they be a part of God’s plan for marriage?
A: Thank you for your question. First, I must confess that I am not an expert on bisexuality, intersexuality or transsexuality. However … all of them, according to scripture, are deviant forms of sexuality.
I would like to quote from the Manual of the Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada:
The Old Testament reveals God’s original design to make human beings in his image, male and female (Genesis 2:10-24). In the New Testament, Jesus confirms the heterosexual creation of human beings: “God made them male and female” (Matthew 19:4). Throughout Scripture heterosexual families are the norm of society. Through this family unit the human race finds its survival and men, women and children find their home. The New Testament reinforces the teaching of heterosexual love and sexual relations within marriage alone (Ephesians 5:22-23; Hebrews 13:4; I Corinthians 7:1-5).
… Homosexual conduct, like all forms of sexual behaviour that violate God’s original design, is sin.
In addition to the affirmation of heterosexual sexual expression within marriage alone and the prohibition of homosexual behaviour, the Scriptures strongly affirm the liberating power of the Christian gospel from all former sinful patterns of life, including homosexual behaviour: “Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God” (I Corinthians 6:9b-12).
Having asserted such, I want to firmly state that:
1. As Christians, we should not tolerate any language of hate or hateful actions towards those of differing sexuality. Those who differ from the heterosexual norm are to be treated with the utmost respect and compassion and as human beings made in the image of God.
2. Personally, I do not know of anyone who is openly bisexual, intersexual or transsexual and I suspect that those who are of such inclination … and also consider themselves Christians, are a small minority.
3. If someone does have tendencies towards bisexuality, intersexuality or transsexuality, I believe they can still experience fully the gift of sexuality … but only within the bounds of legitimate heterosexual marriage. As stated in the above CMA Manual quote (and referencing I Corinthians 6:9b-12), the Gospel is powerful enough to liberate people from ALL forms of sinful behaviour.
4. You may be asking … HOW is that possible? Isn’t sexuality one of the most fundamental parts of our humanity? The answer is YES … but that still doesn’t mean that we need to submit to deviant sexuality just because we have that tendency. If that was true, then all forms of deviance from legitimate heterosexuality between adults would be justified (pedophilia, incest, sado-masochism, bestiality, etc.)
5. There may be physical issues that lead to the conditions we are talking about. For example, some people are true physical hermaphrodites. In such rare cases, the Bible is silent. My best advice is that I believe those special individuals should decide on one sexual preference and live their lives accordingly (as a male or a female). They may still participate fully in marriage and legitimate sexuality.
6. Are there physical challenges? Yes, of course. But then again, many others, who are fully heterosexual, have challenges to in sexuality (physical challenges, emotional challenges, intellectual challenges, and relational challenges). The blind, the lonely, the emotionally damaged, quadriplegics, the poor, those without limbs, the elderly, and those in remote places — these are just some of the challenges others face that may limit their enjoyment of marriage and sexuality. I believe all of us have some hurdles to overcome!
7. Regarding having children … many couples are unable to conceive normally. I believe that adoption should be considered. The concept of adoption is a beautiful testimony and reflection of God’s adoptive love for us. In addition, there are procedures which may help couples conceive their own biological child. By the way, my understanding is that medical science has advanced to such a state that many of those people whom you have identified in your question can undergo a transformation to be physically all of one sex.
8. Spiritually, I believe God loves these people as much as He loves us all … and God created them special for a reason – to glorify Him despite what others view as an abnormality
[Answered by Pastor Fred Tham]
