Since we are on the topic of the Reformation, did you know that Martin Luther played a huge role in reforming the very structure of the church service after he became a Christian? That is right, Luther re-wrote liturgy to make it possible for the Bible to be preached and truth to be sung in songs. In addition, Luther wrote catechisms, which is something he took very seriously. Here is a quote from Michael Reeves in his book, The Unquenchable Fire
"He believed that everyone should memorize it [catechism], and that anyone unwilling to learn it should be barred from the Lord's Supper, that parents should withhold food and drink from such children, and that, ultimately, such people should be exiled. He knew that he could not force belief, but he insisted that the people at least know the truth."
Obviously, Luther was willing to go further in his promotion of catechism's than I am. His point is well taken, however. Here is question number 4 in the The New City Catechism that we are utilizing in Glory Kids Sunday School programming. We recently memorized this question in class and coincides with an important cultural development.
How and why did God create us?
God created us male and female in his own image to glorify him.
Here it comes, a short and slick ad for why families should adopt this particular Catechism into their families:
1. It is attainable with only 52 questions and answers yet still comprehensive in the doctrine it addresses
2. There are actually two answers to each question: one for children and one for adults. Hey, thats great value!!
3. Speaking of value, did I mention it is FREE as an app on a smartphone/tablet. It even comes with commentary from the likes of John Calvin and Tim Keller.
4. You can buy a physical copy at Amazon for a fair price that won't break the family budget
Now that I have your hearts racing with excitement about catechizing I am going to ask that you sit back down, stop pumping your fists in the air, and read another reason this catechism is great. You will notice the cultural consideration in the answer, particularly as it refuses to leave mankind general and addresses males and females. To recap, the one who memorizes this answer will learn at least five incredibly crucial truths:
1. People are created by God
2. There are only two genders: male or female
3. These genders are defined by God, not decided by man
4. God created people with a purpose in mind, this purpose was to bring glory to God
5. A person's gender is connected to their purpose in bringing glory to God
There are probably more, but there are at least those five. Let me say this, if I could: all five of these are hotly contested by our culture. In fact, as I write this, that just seems understated (I didn't know it was possible for a reformed pastor to understate a theological point;). Perhaps it is more appropriate to say that these truths are increasingly opposed and silenced by culture.
Proof Of Confusion
The state of California has recently legalized (Gender Recognition Act) a third option for gender identity on legal documents such as id cards or drivers license: male, female, non-binary. This non-binary identification is a term for anyone who doesn't identify exclusively with being male or female. By the way, I am not totally sure non-binary is a completely flattering designation. How does this really solve anything anyway?
If you think that is absurd, it pales in comparison to this law also passed in the state of California. If this law develops it will imprison those who refuse to play by the LGBTQ (RSTLNE...) rules. In other words, the day may be coming in our country when you might find yourself behind bars for misgendering someone by not using the proper pronouns. You can check out the article here:
https://www.redstate.com/brandon_morse/2017/10/06/california-made-misgendering-someone-improper-pronouns-jailable-offense/
The Associated Press (AP) is also pushing reporters to use transgender pronouns instead of traditional he, she, him, her. The new ones, I believe go something to the tune of "ze" and "zir." To take another pit stop, I don't imagine the classical conversations English textbooks or homeschooling co-ops changing anytime to soon on this one:)
There are other areas of concern and confusing ways gender identity is progressing. "Transition" is the process by which people match their physical characteristics to their gender identity. Sometimes this transition involves medical intervention, which culminates in a gender "confirmation."
Additionally, it is being taught that gender is what relates to a person's social identity while sex refers to biological characteristics. This distinction isn't really made in Scripture. The closest we get is to say that Scripture does leave some wiggle room for the ways masculinity and femininity are expressed within a given culture (1 Corinthians 11:14-15 where clearly long hair for men was inappropriate. This isn't universally condemned but considered unacceptable in Paul's context. Another modern day example of this would be men wearing the color pink. Is it manly or not? That is culturally defined and the Bible leaves room for this to be the case). However, Scripture ALWAYS tethers masculinity or femininity to biological characteristics. The transgender community suggests it is possible to be a female gender while being a biological male. This, Scripture never endorses.
As Albert Mohler pointed out in his October 17 briefing on this topic, the attempt to change the language is an attempt to change the reality. It seems the thought is, if we can get people using gender neutral pronouns then we can successfully separate what Scripture holds together, biological characteristics and gender identity, whether it be masculinity or femininity. In other words, change the words, change the reality.
The fixed reality, the scientific law that is inescapable, however, is that there is no way to change the reality of masculinity or femininity embedded deeply to the core of the individual being. Attempting to remove masculine traits in a male or feminine traits in a female would be like trying to separate the salt from the saltwater in an ocean. It can't be done and any attempt to do so is insisting on deciding something that God has designed and meant to be accepted in trust of his goodness. Gender and sex is something to be received from God, not decided by man.
Unfortunately, our children are being raised in a world at war with the most basic and most foundational components of human nature. Gender. For the vast majority of human history there were plenty of things to argue over, a third gender wasn't one of them. As a pastor of the church for which Jesus spilled his blood, my highest calling is to protect the truth of God's Word. I never thought I would be fighting for clarity on this topic but there are a lot of things I didn't foresee in life.
The reality is, since the moment sin entered the world gender confusion marked mankind in their rebellion against God. When Jesus went to the cross and rose again on the third day and ascended to heaven he did forgive sin but he did something more, he brought order back to what mankind has disordered in their sin. Gender is included in the disorder that sin ushered into the human race. Christians have a gift. We may be behind bars someday for what we believe and practice but we will find freedom in doing God's will. Knowing God's design and operating within it is the greatest freedom we can have for ourselves and pass onto our children.
I hope you agree with me and I hope you can see why this basic catechism question takes a very crucial first step to establish order and clarity in a culture anything but.
May God be with us
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