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Trans-Gendered: Theology, Ministry, and Communities of Faith
A transgendered clergyperson seeks to explore the spiritual nature of transgendered persons, to listen to the stories of others like himself, and to give a positive voice to the community.
210 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2003
162 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 8, 2025
love love love
January 24, 2026
Greetings to everyone who reads this review. May God bless you.
I started reading this book just before my academic work once again picked up speed. I wish I had more time to enjoy this book more fully instead of "rushing" to finish it so I can focus my reading time on my Master's research. Either way, that doesn't mean I didn't enjoy this book.
This book won't provide you with a profound analysis of trans theology or how to do ministry for trans people. What this book gives to you is a very complete introduction to the topic of Christian trans people and their relation to theology, ministry, and communities. It gives a definition (albeit a tad dated considering the book is over 20+ years old) of what "Trans" means and explains how trans people experience the world through their ages. Then, the book moves to the existence of trans people in the Holy Scriptures: from disarming the usual passages used against LGBT+ people to highlighting the pages that show that we are welcome and accepted as who we are. Finally, the book explores particular theological issues trans people bring to the forefront: the relationship between us and God, God as the creator of diversity, and the problems with spirit-body duality.
To write a proper review of each topic can't be done in a Goodreads article, but if you are interested in how Christianity and trans people or issues relate in a positive way, this is the book for you.
I started reading this book just before my academic work once again picked up speed. I wish I had more time to enjoy this book more fully instead of "rushing" to finish it so I can focus my reading time on my Master's research. Either way, that doesn't mean I didn't enjoy this book.
This book won't provide you with a profound analysis of trans theology or how to do ministry for trans people. What this book gives to you is a very complete introduction to the topic of Christian trans people and their relation to theology, ministry, and communities. It gives a definition (albeit a tad dated considering the book is over 20+ years old) of what "Trans" means and explains how trans people experience the world through their ages. Then, the book moves to the existence of trans people in the Holy Scriptures: from disarming the usual passages used against LGBT+ people to highlighting the pages that show that we are welcome and accepted as who we are. Finally, the book explores particular theological issues trans people bring to the forefront: the relationship between us and God, God as the creator of diversity, and the problems with spirit-body duality.
To write a proper review of each topic can't be done in a Goodreads article, but if you are interested in how Christianity and trans people or issues relate in a positive way, this is the book for you.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 28, 2020
Powerful, transformative, and lifegiving. For many transgender people and those who want to learn or understand more about the transgender experience in the faith context, who believe in Jesus and the Christian tradition, this book, in a real sense, is salvation. It is definitely required reading!
November 11, 2016
Well written and considered book on being transgendered from the Christian perspective written by a trans priest, he discusses being transgender as a calling. Beyond being a rich theological book, it is a healing book.
March 28, 2022
In many ways, especially word choice (see book title), this book is outdated. Outside of an historical context, i wouldn't recommend this book.
That being said, i am very grateful for it and I hope it helped many people at that time.
That being said, i am very grateful for it and I hope it helped many people at that time.
December 20, 2012
The challenges of using a driver’s license, starting a new bank account, or being mid-transition, for trans persons have been long overlooked by academia, medicine, and discussions in faith communities. (9). Rev. Dr. Justin Tanis sets the record “trans” in giving voice to T Christians, including himself, in the 2003 book, TRANS-GENDERED (TG). As Rev. Troy Parker notes, TG is “about God, gender identity, sexual orientation, and Scripture [as well as] faith, community, and Christology, all from the vantage point of [T] persons.” (vii). Tanis’ nine chapters cover trans identity and existence, “Gender Variance and Scripture,” T experience (their welcome and otherwise) in faith communities, T people and their experience of God and Christ, “Gender as a Calling,” T body theology and thought, and closes with liturgical resources.
It seems to be that the goal of the text is to show that, in the lives of trans-persons, “the manifest saving act of God, the present Christ, his word and his sacrament, should be seen and adored.” That being the case, TG is an indispensible introductory resource for many: a wide range of academicians; clergy and others interested in scripture; laypersons; T persons, their allies and family. To highlight a few key moments in the text: scripture and gender-variance are taken seriously in chapter 3. Chapter 7, “Gender as a Calling,” is helpful in reconstructing contemporary language, being trans is not a curse, rather a calling and “a holy invitation to set out on a journey of transformation of body, mind, and spirit.” However, the reader new to this study may find difficulty in the final chapter, in which Tanis leaves the reader wanting. Tanis remarks that God is both “intimately and actively involved in our creation” yet we are still to take part in creating our own bodies, somehow the thought isn’t given enough page length. (182).
It seems to be that the goal of the text is to show that, in the lives of trans-persons, “the manifest saving act of God, the present Christ, his word and his sacrament, should be seen and adored.” That being the case, TG is an indispensible introductory resource for many: a wide range of academicians; clergy and others interested in scripture; laypersons; T persons, their allies and family. To highlight a few key moments in the text: scripture and gender-variance are taken seriously in chapter 3. Chapter 7, “Gender as a Calling,” is helpful in reconstructing contemporary language, being trans is not a curse, rather a calling and “a holy invitation to set out on a journey of transformation of body, mind, and spirit.” However, the reader new to this study may find difficulty in the final chapter, in which Tanis leaves the reader wanting. Tanis remarks that God is both “intimately and actively involved in our creation” yet we are still to take part in creating our own bodies, somehow the thought isn’t given enough page length. (182).
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews