Christian Ethics: This Year’s Dilemma
— Monday, May 4th, 2009 —
Every year at the conclusion of Christian ethics class here at Southern Seminary, I give my students a final ethical situation to answer for their final examination. They are graded not on their conclusion, but on how they arrived there. The question below is this year’s dilemma. They’ll answer, and then we’ll discuss it communally as a class on Thursday. Here it is:
This question takes place sometime in the future, in your ministry.
Joan is a fifty year-old woman who has been visiting your church for a little over a year. She sits on the third row from the back, and usually exits during the closing hymn, often with tears in her eyes. Joan approaches you after the service on Sunday to tell you that she wants to follow Jesus as her Lord.
You ask Joan a series of diagnostic questions about her faith, and it is clear she understands the gospel. She still seems distressed though. When you ask if she’s repented of her sin, she starts to cry and grit her teeth.
“I don’t know,” she says. “I don’t know how…I don’t know where to start…Can I meet with you privately?”
You, Joan, and a godly Titus 2-type women’s ministry leader in your church meet in your office right away, and Joan tells you her story.
She wasn’t born Joan. She was born John. From early on in John’s life, though, he felt as though he was “a woman trapped in a man’s body.” Joan says, “I don’t mean to repeat that old shopworn cliché, but it really is what I felt like.”
Joan tells you that when she was twenty she began the process of “transitioning” from life as a man to life as a woman. She underwent extensive hormone therapy, followed by extensive plastic surgery—including so-called “gender reassignment surgery.” She has lived for the past thirty years—physically and socially—as a woman.
“I want to do whatever it takes to follow Jesus,” Joan tells you. “I want to repent…I just, I don’t know how to do it.”
“I am surgically now a woman. I’ve taken hormones that give me the appearance and physical makeup of a woman,” she says. “Even if I were to put on a suit and tie right now, I’d just look like a woman with a suit and tie. Not to mention the fact that, well, I am physically…a woman.”
“To complicate matters further,” Joan says through tears, “I adopted my daughter, Clarissa, when she was eight months old and she’s ten years old now. She doesn’t know about my past life as…as a man. She just knows me as her Mom.”
“I know the sex change surgery was wrong. I know that my life is twisted. I’m willing to do whatever Jesus would have me to do to make it right,” she says. “But what would Jesus have me to do?”
Joan asks you, “Am I too messed up to repent and be saved? If not, what does it mean for me to repent and live my life as a follower of Jesus? What is right for me to do?”
Show me, step-by-step, what you would say to Joan. Show me what you would tell her to do, short-term and long-term, and show me why in terms of a Christian ethic. Use Scripture, Christian theology, and wisdom to demonstrate not just your final decisions, but how you arrived at them.
You may use any resource that would be available to you in a real life pastoral situation. This includes Holy Scripture, books, articles, and the seeking of outside counsel from others.
Furthermore, show me how you would lead the rest of your congregation to think through and act in this situation with the mind of Christ.
35 Responses to “Christian Ethics: This Year’s Dilemma”
Trackbacks
- SharperIron » “I want to repent…I just, I don’t know how to do it.”
- The Walters 5 » How would you handle this and why?
- Moore to the Point by Russell D. Moore
- Moore to the Point by Russell D. Moore
- How would you counsel John? « Ponder anew what the Almighty can do if with his love He befriend thee
- Moore to the Point by Russell D. Moore
- Christian Ethics: Joan or John? - Delivered By Grace | Theology Blog
- Moore to the Point by Russell D. Moore
- Russ Moore on How the Gospel Ministers to Transgender People | Christ Community Church
- Moore to the Point by Russell D. Moore
- The Walters 5 » One tough pastoral situation
- Kiwi and an Emu.
- Theophilux.com | “Ethical Dilemma” 101 - Ministering To The Transgendered
1. I would first stress that no sin is beyond Christ’s gospel of grace. The fact that Joan used to be John well may be strange to us doesn’t change the fact that we are all condemned in Adam (Rom. 5:12). The bible says that all who call upon the name of the Lord will be saved (Act 16:30). We as well as Joan all have an identity crisis. Some of us used theives, robbers, and sexually immoral (1 Cor 6:9-11), but we have been washed, sanctified, and justified. Our new identity is wrapped up in Christ, for we are now in Christ (1 John 5:20).
2. Now as far as WWJHMD? (what would Jesus have me do?) Jesus calls us to at times tear out, cut off, and sever what ever hinders us from following Him (Matt 16:24-25). He calls us to transformation. He calls men to give up their pornography addiction. He calls women to lovingly yield themselves under the loving leadership of their husbands. Jesus calls us away from idols and unto Himself (1 Thes 1:9).
In this case it’s a call for Joan to embrace John; he is called to embrace his manishness. Is it easy? No. Is it complicated with layer after layer of complex hormonal / sex change sin? Yes. But the Gospel cuts right through complex excuses and complex sin and tells us Christ can forgive us and He can and will change us and that He will enable us, by the Spirit’s help to be changed conformed into the image of Christ . . . not the image of Joan . . . and not even the image of John.
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I don’t think this is the type of situation that Jesus had in mind when he spoke of some being “eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven” (Matt 19:12). But I do think that text carries implications for this ethical decision.
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Thanks Tobby and Phillip, I look forward to seeing how the ethics class responds to this, and plan to talk about it with them on Thursday!
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@Russell D. Moore,
As a DMIN student at SBTS in the Biblical Spirituality program I would be interested to read some of the interaction that takes place this Thursday. I have a once a month “Ask the Pastor” Fellowship after our morning service, and I may present this question ahead of time as a point of discussion.
It is intriguing to me that the situation you presented is not that far-fetched for today’s time.
@Russell D. Moore,
I am also very curious about how you would respond to this situation. Oddly enough, one of my close friends if dealing with this very issue in a relationship of hers and struggling to know how to address it biblically. I would love to know the fruit of your discussion!
I’m no pastor but I can tell you what strikes me in this.
First, if Joan is not a Christian, she cannot fathom the spiritual implications of becoming one. What Joan is probably feeling is conviction of sin. So I’d deal with that, with the surpassing ability of Jesus to forgive, and then do what naturally follows.
After Joan is a believer, and can perceive the things of the Spirit, the gender issues should be addressed separately. I don’t think I’m equipped to deal with that ethically or spiritually.
I think the absolute conviction in our heart, that Jesus can and will make His leading known to His children, might help us get the point across, to Joan, that Jesus can and would show her the way forward, via the indwelling Spirit.
Or not. Just the opinion of a guy in a pew…..
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Dr. Moore,
after you share with your class . . . would you share with us as to how you would deal with this perplexing issue? Thanks.
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Hey Dr. Moore,
I am with Toby. I’d be interested in the responses and your thoughts. Look forward to hearing more. Thanks for all you do.
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I tend to think Bob Cleveland is correct in that we have two initially separate issues here. We are called to make disciples, not converts comfortable with reciting a sinner’s prayer. So, if she is ready to “begin the process” of spiritual transformation then any legalistic notion of her gender issue needs to take a back seat for the moment. She needs to be counseled in the nature of a loving and forgiving God, read the story of the woman at the well, taught the workings of grace for salvation. Her guilt and desire to follow Christ is a pretty good sign that she has been regenerated by the Spirit. Now we help her to confess her sins, repent, and turn to Christ.
At this point, reduce heat and allow to simmer.
This is where good shepherding comes in. She must be brought under the care of a person, or group of persons who are committed to see her/him through what comes next.
So what does come next? We help her reverse the process, counsel the daughter to an understanding of salvation, and to accept her new “dad?” That would our prayer. That the glory of the Lord would reveal His healing under the most complicated of circumstances.
But, another ethical dilemma might arise. I know the assignment states that the “woman” was going to be will to do “anything” to follow Christ. But what if the reverse change proves to be too emotional a process? What if the daughter’s welfare is somehow at stake? What if Joan decides it is in her best interest and the interest of her daughter to serve the Lord as Joan?
I mean, I think most SBC churches…ok not most, but alot would have taken John and the daughter under their wing and nurtured them as a family. But would a Southern Baptist Church allow a regenerate post-op transsexual to raise a daughter in their midst?
I think the answer is no. But if they did would they be wrong? Does the original sin have to be physically reversed in order for the Body of Christ to accept the Child of God?
I find this to be the real ethical dilemma.
Kevin
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I would tell her that in revealing that she believes is “messed up” she is precisely where she needs to be to be saved.
“When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners”
Then I would show her just how extensive, expansive and eternal the forgiveness of Christ is and that no matter what she has done or what she will do, this is the call of our Lord, forgiveness and emancipation from the weight of sin.
Obviously she would object with, “what about the consequences” of her past actions, will it hinder her. I would respond by staying focused on the forgiveness of Christ for all her sin and her redemption and that no matter what she has done, her life after being a believer is sanctified by God and made just and that redemption is not just the gift of eternal life but the blessing and sanctification of your entire life no matter where you have placed yourself.
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I wonder if 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 would be relevant in this situation: “Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? Let him not seek circumcision. For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God. Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called….”
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Very good thoughts. I promise I’ll be back to tell you how the class discussion went, how I’d advise this person, and why it’s important. I’ll be interested to see if and how the Scripture passages raised by Phillip Bethancourt and Jordan Buckley are interacted with by the class.
On another note, this has been a fantastic group of young ministers in this class. There are some truly outstanding bright lights in this room who are going to be used powerfully in the next generation, perhaps to reach people like John in the narrative above.
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Ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch!
I have a young man in my Scout Troop with a small amount of speech problems. I’m working with the other guys to get them to stop teasing and hazing him. That seems like a large problem to me.
And then I read this. I honestly have no idea how you do your work with these young minds and how they learn to cope with situations like the one that you propose. It’s a scary world out there.
May God bless your work.
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Dr. Moore,
If you don’t mind I’ve forwarded this question on to my pastor to post on our young adult ministry discussion board. We’re a large, local United Methodist Church and our group has a variety of opinions on all matters of faith. No doubt we will have deep, passionate (sometimes heated) theological debate on this topic at our weekly study and our Sunday small groups around this topic.
I personally am a product of Drew Theological Seminary where I received my Masters of Theological Study and have worked within the Church for my entire adult life. Of course I have my own view on this topic and my understanding of the unfathomable nature of the Divine God would most likely lead me to a very different conclusion than many of the previous posters.
I truly think that this is a very real situation that many pastors and church leaders will encounter in the near future and I applaud you for raising this point of discussion. I hope that the compassion and love of Christ permeates the thoughtful responses of your students and would love to hear what they had to say regarding this issue.
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Dr. Moore,
Thanks for posting this question. I am a Bible teacher in Tennessee and loved discussing this scenario with my students. It is using scenarios like this one that help to develop students’ abilities to apply a biblical worldview to complex life situations. They even had to write a few essays on it. I will be moving to Louisville this summer and can’t wait to study up there. Hope all is well and thanks again.
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I would love to see the church provide foster parents also. There is so much abuse in the foster care system, and Christian empty nesters could be part of the solution.
Dr. Moore, please consider writing about foster parenting. Sunrise is able to train foster parents as well as assist in adoption. Most Kentucky Baptist do not know about their services. They would also be able to give wonderful contributions to your blog!
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Kirby, That is great! I would love to see their essays! I look forward to seeing you here this summer. Please let me know when you arrive!
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Very interesting situation. I was a member in a local church in another state several years ago where we had a similar situation, not exactly as Dr. Moore outlined it, but very similar in some ways. A great question to deal with especially in light of events in our culture!
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Hi Dr. Moore did you ever post your students answers? This question leaves me speechless and at a loss of what to do. My husband is going in the ministry and we both would like to know how this was answered. Great question!
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I appreciate this question and your response to it. What I was wondering though, in light of our knowledge of God as a God Truth, is how to deal with a “Joan” who comes to church whom everyone clearly recognizes should be a “John.”
It seems to me that would be rather difficult. Do you relate to that one as “Joan” until she sees her sin? Or do you lovely confront her and refer to her as “him”? How do we honor the God of Truth in that relationship when it’s clear that there is a transsexual visiting the church?
My instinct is to carefully and lovingly go with the truth. But I admit, I’m not sure. How can you preach from the pulpit about sin, but after the sermon ignore it until “Joan” sees it as sin?
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Firstly a little about me. I’m Christian (Anglican - think it maybe reffered to differently in the USA) and I’m not Catholic, but I did go to a Catholic single sex school in my senior years. I’m also post-operative transsexual, and have lived as Sarah for nearly ten years now.
Right, Joan hasn’t said if she still feels right living as a woman. Various religions condemm (maybe too strong a word) transsexuals, and anyone that isn’t 100% heterosexual.
I’m guesing most of us discussing this are Christians, therefore, we strive to be Christ-like, however succesfull or unsuccessfull we may be.
When Jesus was alive, he didn’t hand around with the religious elite of the day, which to him would have been members of the Jewish faith. He hung around with the rejects of society, but never to my knowledge, did he condem them. Never did he reject them, and tell them they we’re bad people. He did say repent of your sins I believe, but up until the point that Jesus was alive, I don’t think God realised how difficult “being good” and not sinning we’re. As Jesus, he could be tempted, and feel that temptation, whether he succumbed or not, but he did have the advantage that he KNEW about heaven and hell, and the rest of us only have faith.
I believe that Joan should do what she feels is right. She is in the situation of having a 10 year old daughter though, which adds a complication. Often, critics of transsexuals, will use children in an attempt to stop people transitioning, saying that it will confuse them, that they will be the target for bullies. This little girl has only had Joan for a parent, and knows nothing else, so that same opinion shoud count here.
Joan has to make the decision for the right reasons, as she and her daughter are the ones who have to live that life. The decision to transition in the first place, is not a decision that is made lightly, it’s something that takes years of self analysis, and not decided on a whim.
WWJD - What Would Jesus Do, I believe he would give her a big hug, tell her not to be scared, and that she will make the right choice.
Thankfully, I’m glad that this situation is just a “what if” scenario, as I’d hate for someone to be in that situation.
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Let me begin by saying that I am a devout Christian, formerly Baptist, now Episcopalian. I was born again in my teens. But, I am also a post-op transsexual. I suffered for all of my life, and finally came to realize what was wrong with me.
That said, this whole scenario is a bit contrived. Yes, it is entirely possible that a person can have sex reassignment surgery in error, and if that is what is intended here, then that is one thing. On the other hand, if the purpose is to imply that all who have taken that path are “wrong,” then I would have to disagree.
I sought God’s guidance all along the way. I researched the issue of transsexualism and the Bible and found no basis to consider it sin. I believe that there are relatively rare circumstances where people are born with a form of intersex that affects the brain. They are, in a sense, like the old cliche, women trapped in men’s bodies, or vice versa.
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