The Gender Revolution: A biblical, biological and compassionate response

by Patricia Weerakoon, Robert Smith, Kamal Weerakoon

How can you show love to someone who feels that their gender identity does not match how God made them—especially amid loud social messaging that says compassion and disagreement are incompatible? How do we keep the conversation grounded in reality? How do we lead others away from the harmful desire to transform their body into something it can never truly be? Why would hearing an explanation of God’s design for our bodies and his guidance for sexual expression be good for them, and how could you possibly begin that conversation? Transgender ideology has quickly become pervasive in our broader culture, and many Christians prefer to avoid issues of sex and gender altogether. But if we’re not prepared in advance to show care and compassion to people questioning their gender identity or declaring a new one, we are unlikely to do it well when the moment arrives (as it inevitably will). The Gender Revolution provides the biblical basis for a contemporary Christian response to the complicated feelings and experiences of gender dysphoria. Grounded in the latest scientific findings, this much-needed book is the fruit of decades of thorough research, medical practice and pastoral experience from the authors. It offers clear and compelling reasons for why God’s voice matters, and how it can be used to disciple others in truth.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Theology

230 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 28, 2023

About the author

Dr Patricia Weerakoon is a medical doctor turned sexologist and author. She is an evangelical Christian and is married to Vasantha. Her son, Kamal, is a Presbyterian minister.

Her writing and speaking brings together her enthusiasm for sex and her love for the glory of God.

As a sexologist, Dr Weerakoon has used practical sex education, sex research and sex therapy to bring good, holistic sexual health. Her Christian framework for sex therapy has enriched and empowered the sex lives of many couples.

Dr Weerakoon has a recognised media presence, and is a highly regarded public speaker and social commentator in sexuality and sexual health.

Reviews

[Rohan · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Transgender feelings, while they may have manifested without a person seeking them, are not good, because they do not agree with God's intentions for humanity, nor do they agree with what science has discovered about healthy human beings. It is therefore unloving to encourage someone to act on them. The loving response is to encourage the person not to 'hide' or 'repress' their feelings, but to resist acting in line with them. ... The fact that something seems right / feels good doesn't make it right. This is where the bible contradicts contemporary western culture"

Surprisingly readable (finished in one day!). My initial thoughts:

- strongly recommend Christian parents and teachers and pastors read it. Lots of evidence and advice mingling science, sociology and theology
-Pastorally sensitive by the end, but I feel more attuned to "tone" now in books and this felt slightly "off" at points, in being a bit "mean" perhaps?
- I wish there was a sample "policy" for schools to follow. Please can it be added as an online resource? Super helpful to base something off.

Some quotes / themes to remember:
- Among traditional societies, people are taught to find their identity and define their 'self' by looking outward
- If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come ... this is a fact regardless of whether it is a feeling
- Our present calling is to work with the grain of creation towards the goal of new creation.
- The only way to answer the question "who am I?" is to first settle the question "whose am I". God's by creation and redemption!
- gender identity - who I feel I am - is completely subjective. There is no empirical evidence to support the claim of a male brain in a female body or vice versa. We cannot reliably observe it from the outside.
- Specifying pronouns buys into the false claims of transgender ideology.
- The LGB has long said "born this way" but transgender ideology emphasises that it doesn't matter how a person is born.
- it's precisely because we love them that we long to see them find lasting solutions that acknowlede reality, rather than deny it
- When it comes to human bodily development, the norm is not an issue of morality, it is a scientific reality.

[Luke Rasmussen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, like most of Patricia's, is exceptional. It is well researched, bold and practical. I think this is a must read to anyone who wants to continue to stand firm in reality during these mad times.

[Douglas Fyfe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is an important book, which presents the logic of the issues well and with lots of resources and studies to chase up.

One of the difficulties with this topic is that the two "sides" inhabit different worlds, cite different studies, different experts, different media. For that reason I think a little more irenic tone in the beginning would have been beneficial, especially when considering passing this book on to someone who inhabits the other world.

The illustration of the tree was very helpful, and explains a lot of the logic behind confused conversations with people on this issue. I'm thankful for this book and the work that went into it. The last chapter and appendix were also good for thinking through practically where next.

[David Couch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful in collating a lot of data in a useful way. The authors go into science, theology, and culture, and do a good job connecting them together. The footnotes were a goldmine of material too - if you have not read much on this topic they summarise the best bits of the best books (in my opinion!).

The pastoral scenarios at the end were also beneficial to work through too.

[❀ Kailyn ❀ · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a former proud member of the lgbtq+ community, I praise the Lord for the healing this book gave me. My husband (then fiancé) got this book for me from Cross Con 2024. He knows of the bisexual struggles I’ve had. He showed true Christian love as a friend when I was still proud. He didn’t agree with my stance but he still showed love to me and poured God’s truth into me. That was not the common case for churches. I’ve faced so much trauma about being “an abomination” and “it was all in my head.” Church pushed me away from God, but I still longed for Him. So I lived a life of compromise, believing in God but following my desires. But I felt further away from Him and more confused than ever.

As I learned more about God’s character, I put off the bisexual label of my identity and put on the label of God’s child as my identity. In His Word, I learned my identity and my purpose, but still struggled with those attractions. I believed it was how I was born and I was hopeless to change it, only able to abstain from acting upon it. But this book taught me that it is a real sin issue, not just in my head. I am not an abomination, but a person that struggles with sin as does everyone on this Earth (except Jesus). It is a result of the fallen world. I wasn’t made to be this way as a person isn’t made to be greedy or mean. I appreciated the kind words (non-attacking nature which I’m not used to with this topic), God’s Truth, and science to back up claims. This is everything that I wish someone told me a long time ago.

I thank the Lord for these authors and pray this book finds its way to other people with the same struggles as I, softens hearts of churches like ones I grew up attending, and equips other believers to respond in a loving way so that all can be brought to our loving and gracious God ❤️

[AHuitema · Rating 4 out of 5]

“While transgender ideology is bad for everyone, confusing people about the nature of sex and about the very notions of truth and objective reality, it’s especially dangerous for people – particularly young people – who experience gender dysphoria. Transgender ideology misleads such people into believing that their feelings are more real than their body, that their body is malleable putty, and that they can resolve their distress by changing their body.”

This book is not only rigorous, but also scientifically well-substantiated and nuanced about transgender ideology. Scores of scientific papers show that people harm themselves and others with this outgrowth of expressive individualism. People come up with all kinds of gender reassignment ‘solutions’, such as puberty blockers, bottom surgeries and preferred pronouns. The authors emphasise that these changes are purely cosmetic: nobody can change their biological sex.

We should, therefore, look to the underlying problems of gender dysphoria. A lot of research is still going on, but many people who suffer from gender incongruence “also suffer from depression, anxiety, autism or poor self-esteem”. When this is combined with the idea that (teenage) brains are very prone to peer pressure and a sense of belonging, it is no wonder that gender issues arise – especially in a culture where the psychological self is being idolised.

Research has pointed out that many people who transitioned, regret their decision. Recently, an increase is visible of so-called detransitioners: people who have discontinued or reversed a gender transition. This means that there is not only scientific, but also empirical evidence that transgenderism is harmful. Our precious, God-given bodies are not meant to be changed like this.

I am happy that the authors also make clear that we should love and respect people, but attack any ideology that harms them. We need to show compassion towards people that deal with gender issues, as these feelings are genuine. Still, they are loved and cared for by God. We live in a broken world full of things that are not as they should be, and we should put our trust in a Saviour who will one day heal all of the brokenness.

[Jesse Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

In The Gender Revolution, the renowned sex therapist Patricia Weerakoon, with theologians Robert Smith and Kamal Weerakoon, write a biblical, biological, and compassionate response to the complicated feelings and experiences of gender dysphoria.

In the opening chapter, Patricia et al. show that transgender ideology seeks to resolve this incongruence by treating the body as malleable, “like putty, which can be shaped according to the internal desires” (p. 10). With a spirit of deep concern, the authors argue that transgender ideology “misleads vulnerable, hurting people by indoctrinating them to ignore the significance of the biological reality of their body” (p. 10). Patricia et al. explain that this progressive worldview places biological sex (ch. 4), sexual orientation (ch. 5), and gendered behaviour (ch. 6) underneath the banner of gender identity (p. 13). In other words, transgender ideology establishes that internal desire is a greater authority than external biology.

But even though transgender ideology sees the body like a set of clothes, there is light at the end of the dark tunnel. Patricia et al. affirm that scripture teaches that our bodies are a sacred gift, wonderfully fashioned by God for a life of purpose (p. 36). The authors argue that true human flourishing occurs when our self-perceived gender identity is aligned with the goodness of our external biological identity assigned to us by God. Even though a teenager might experience gender dysphoria, they reiterate that it is often “a passing phase of discomfort” (p. 104).

But it is not just a discomfort; it has become “an industry” (p. 133). Patricia et al. state that ‘transgender identity is manufactured by transgender ideology’ (p. 105). They state it has become a “big business” (p. 133) that is “increasingly taking on a neo-religious, cult-like character” (p. 148). Even though empirical evidence affirms statistics like “suicidal rates are twenty times higher in a post-surgical trans population” (pp. 143-144), Patricia et al. show that governments remain invested in advancing transgender ideology (p. 148). Progressive social practice and the latest scientific research are at odds.

Despite these deep radical inconsistencies and the threat of transgender ideology of the most vulnerable, Patricia et al. maintain optimism. They conclude that “Under God, a compassionate and biblical response, informed by sound science, can still win the day” (p. 153). Through practical tips and scenarios, the authors embody genuine pastoral care. Their helpful tips include the call to formulate “clear, written policies and/or guidelines” and recognise “that we are all broken sinners” saved by grace (p. 180).

But most of all, Patricia et al. place love of neighbour at the centre of their pastoral practice. They state that the goal is to “help all people to live well in their bodies with all the imperfections that nature and nurture have given us” (p. 179). Even though people we minister to might experience gender incongruence, Patricia et al. remind us that they are “no less deserving of our love and compassion” (p. 179).

In sum, The Gender Revolution is a sound and concise manual, rich in theological reflection, shaped by the latest scientific discoveries, wise in pastoral application, and overflowing with hopefulness. There is so much value in this book! I expect it to be a tool close at hand, which ends up highlighted, tattered, and dog-eared due to its usefulness. I recommend this book to anyone seeking to face the complexities of contemporary pastoral ministry with greater sense of humility and confidence.

[Sandy Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’d give this 4.5 stars marked up to 5. In a rapidly changing conversation, it is up-to-date in terms of Christian theology, pastoral sensitivity, biologically and medically and is conversant with the variety of current debates (even a year or so later it feels current).

It states its view - biblically, theologically and scientifically binary and conservative - clearly but respectfully of others who see things somewhat differently (eg use of preferred pronouns). The reason for saying 4.5 rather than an unreserved 5 is that just occasionally the tone verges on a little strident or overly political. But to be honest, I think this would be hard for anyone to avoid consistently in such a fraught area. I’m grateful to the authors who have made a great team together.

[Aidan Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the place to start on the topic of gender and sexual identity. It is a well-written, pastoral, scientific, and thoroughly biblical look at the issue. The authors are experts in their fields, and demonstrate both a great depth of knowledge and a rich love for all those influenced by transgender ideology. The chapters contain excellent summaries, and the book concludes by considering a number of scenarios and how you might respond. It also emphasises the hope and truth of Jesus as the one who brings true healing, satisfaction, and belonging.

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

An outstanding book on the very difficult issues of gender and sexuality, especially as to how they relate to young people and how we should respond as Christians. As both a scientist and a Christian this was a very strong read and will definately be one of my core recommendations on this topic!

[Diana Swanton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful to have a Christian view on this difficult issue.

[Dave Hayes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an excellent, loving, wise treatment of the topic