This session will offer an overview of the ‘strange new world of gender’, its key ideas and its impact on society. We will look at the roots of ‘gender identity’ theory and the public debate on ‘gender ideology’: what arguments have been deployed, by whom and with what success? We will examine different interpretations of the biological characteristics of sex, the weak evidence base for the medical care for gender-questioning patients, and expose several common myths in this field. During this seminar, we will consider several key biblical themes (perspectives on our physical bodies, sex, gender, identity, and suffering) and biblical attitudes (such as compassion, conviction, courage, and wisdom) which play a part in framing a Christian response.
