As a kid, I remember the vast collection of National Geographic magazines that our library possessed. Reading those magazines meant being transported to far off locations and cultures, which in most cases were so incredibly different from my own. Learning about different customs and geographic features always fascinated me, and being able to look through all those older editions meant seeing how some things changed over time (and how others didn’t!). The photography was always stunning, which I suspect is partly responsible for awakening in me a love for the medium. Recently, however, National Geographic published as its cover story a piece about the gender revolution taking place in our society, including a full cover photograph of a young boy who dresses and identifies as a girl. The cover includes a quote from this confused child: “The best thing about being a girl is, now I don’t have to pretend to be a boy.”
Let those words sink in for just a moment. Think through the implications of that statement. These are the words of a nine year old. It is not unusual for children to be confused by not only the world around them (and if we’re to be honest, that confusion doesn’t always end once we reach adulthood!), but by their own bodies also. The prepubescent and pubescent years can be difficult for children (and parents) to navigate, but something very interesting is happening today that beggars belief: children are being allowed to determine their own gender. They can do so only because their parents are not only giving them the freedom to do so, but also encouraging them to “explore” their gender identity. Such a parenting model finds its basis in the increasingly commonplace idea that the concept of gender is fluid and dynamic, rather than binary and static. To impose an archaic social construct such as there being only two genders, male and female, is hopelessly naïve, says all of our most forward thinking social scientists. Frankly, it would not surprise me to see such a worldview be labeled “abuse” before much longer and put forward as the basis for children to be removed from the homes of such bigoted parents (i.e., faithful Christians).
Those who advocate for allowing prepubescent children to choose their own gender identity also push for the administration of hormone blocking medications that would prevent God’s perfectly designed process of sexual maturation to take place. Just when you thought you had seen every possible way for humanity to rebel against God and attack His creation, something like this comes along and reminds you that the doctrine of total depravity exists for a reason! The truth of the matter is that pursuing such a course of treatment, as well as the encouragement of those whom God created to be boys to think they are girls (and vice versa), is the epitome of child abuse and would have been understood to be such until very, very recently.
We are witnessing what happens when a postmodern worldview – that is, the worldview that says there are no absolute or objective truths – has become the established and accepted one in society. While you may not hear the term “postmodern” used very often anymore, it is not because it has been discarded as the asinine philosophy that it is; rather, it is because it has become the largely accepted perspective of our society. Thankfully, the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is greater than this present darkness! Let’s continue to find ways to engage such a culture with the Truth – Jesus Christ (John 14:6). Just something to think about…
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