How many genders are there?

Response

The Bible states that there are only two genders. God’s creation of humanity, as described in Genesis 1:27, clarifies this: “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” Male and female represent the two genders.

Throughout history, most societies have concurred with the Bible’s assertion of only two genders. There exist males and females, men and women. However, in recent times, particularly in the past century, perspectives and ideologies have evolved. Presently, there is a movement advocating for the acknowledgment of various gender identities, encompassing, among others, male, female, transgender, gender-neutral, genderqueer, non-binary, agender, pangender, and more. With the proliferation of potential genders, the term “gender” has essentially lost its significance, at least beyond religious texts.

Advocates for the existence of more than two genders draw a distinction between sex and gender. They argue that sex is a designation assigned at birth. Some individuals are assigned male at birth, while others are assigned female at birth, based on physical characteristics. This designation is also known as birth sex or biological sex. Gender, they contend, may not always correspond with one’s assigned sex. Individuals can determine their gender independently of their sex and express it in unique ways. According to this perspective, individuals determine their gender identity, but not the sex assigned to them at birth.

It is essential to understand what God communicates regarding sex, gender, and gender identity. Naturally, we must approach this with love, sensitivity, and empathy for those grappling with self-understanding. We are called to “speak the truth in love,” as Paul advises.

ys in Ephesians 4:15.

God defines gender within the context of creation, as He created mankind male and female «So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. », (Genesis 1:27). There are undeniable biological differences between males and females. These distinctions extend to gender. There are variances between men and women, and God has designated specific roles to each gender. Not only did God create males and females, men and women, but He beheld His creation and called it “very good” «And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.», (Genesis 1:31). If God’s creation is “good,” in that it reflects God’s glory, then the attempt to fundamentally alter it is not good.

While there are differences between men and women, both are created in the image of God «So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. », (Genesis 1:27). This implies that men and women have equal dignity. In fact, God blessed Adam and Eve rather than Adam alone and instructed them to “be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth” «And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. », (Genesis 1:28, ESV). Of course, the very command to multiply requires two compl

Elementary genders.

The equal dignity of men and women extends to their spiritual standing before God. Paul says, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus «There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. », (Galatians 3:28, ESV). The gospel is equally available for men and women. Everyone needs to be saved from sin. The two genders, mentioned in this verse, are saved the same way. Once saved, men and women are one in Christ.

There are several reasons why God created the two genders with differences. First, He created men and women with different sexual organs to procreate «And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. », (Genesis 1:28). Procreation can only occur between men and women. Second, God created the two genders with differences that impart value and significance to companionship. Speaking to Adam, God said, “It is not good for man to be alone,” and then He created Eve from one of Adam’s ribs. Third, heterosexual marriages represent God’s love for us. Paul says, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” «Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; », (Ephesians 5:25).

Although many will disagree with the biblical teaching that there are only two genders, we hold fast to the truth of God’s Word. We “must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine” «B

But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: », (Titus 2:1). And we do so unashamedly, as Paul did whenever he preached the gospel: “I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek” «For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. », (Romans 1:16, ESV).