Gender Ideology, Identification and the Christian

Huikala’s Statement on Homosexuality, Same-Sex Marriage and the LGBTQ Movement

We stand by the biblical teaching that homosexuality, transgenderism and same-sex marriage are against God’s design and are sinful. At the same time, Huikala seeks to create a welcoming, grace-filled, non-threatening and compassionate environment where anyone, regardless of their background, can experience the love and grace of Jesus and hear of the life-changing power of the Gospel. If the body of Christ cannot hold conviction with compassion, no one else will. We hold to the truth that Jesus and the Gospel is the only hope for our shared sinful condition.

We must be careful that we never put any category of sin in the irredeemable or untouchable category.

“One’s LGBTQ status is not the central issue in his or her life, no matter how much he or she tries to make it so; the central issue is his or her status as one who is fundamentally at enmity with God and justly under His condemnation.”

Gender, Identity, and the Created Order

What does the Bible teach about gender, identity, and the created order?

The Bible teaches that God intentionally created humanity as male and female, reflecting His image and design for mankind.

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.Genesis 1:27

Gender is a foundational aspect of human identity, rooted in God’s creative purpose and not subject to personal preference or cultural trends.

And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof. And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him. And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.Genesis 2:18-24

God’s created order is good and we are called to honor and uphold His design.

For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.Psalm 139:13-14

And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?Matthew 19:4-5

The Bible teaches gender complementarianism.

Gender complementarianism: the biblical belief that men and women are equal in value and dignity but have distinct, God-given roles that complement one another in the home and the church.

Gender egalitarianism: the belief that men and women are equal in value, dignity, and role, with no God-ordained distinctions in leadership or authority in the home or the church.

Is gender a feeling or a biological reality created by God?

Gender is a biological reality established by God at creation, not merely a subjective feeling.

Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created.Genesis 5:2

The Bible consistently refers to men and women according to their biological sex, affirming the goodness of God’s design.

But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.Mark 10:6

While feelings about gender may be real and deeply felt, they do not override the objective reality of God’s created order.

For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.Romans 1:20-25

Pronouns, Respect, and Conscience

Should Christians use someone’s preferred pronouns out of respect?

Christians are called to speak the truth in love, balancing honesty about God’s design with genuine care for individuals.

Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.Ephesians 4:25

Should one change their name or choose another name, it is not a sin to call them by their preferred name.

Using preferred pronouns may be seen as an act of kindness, but requires believers to bear false witness and “play along” with the delusion.

Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:Colossians 3:9-10

Is it ever appropriate to “go along to get along” in the workplace or family?

Scripture calls believers to live at peace with others as much as possible, but not at the expense of compromising truth.

If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.Romans 12:18

Faithfulness sometimes requires gentle but firm refusal to participate in actions that violate biblical convictions.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.Daniel 3:16-18

Participation, Presence, and Approval

Should I attend a same-sex or “gender transition” wedding?

Attending such events is an endorsement and celebration of choices contrary to biblical teaching.

And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.Ephesians 5:11

A Christian’s presence communicates approval and undermines their witness to God’s truth.

Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.Romans 12:9

Communicate your inability to attend with kindness and love.

Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.1 Peter 3:16

We should hold this same standard to unbiblical heterosexual marriages, too.

A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.James 1:8

What’s the difference between loving someone and celebrating their choices?

Loving someone means seeking their highest good, which may involve gentle correction or refusal to affirm choices that are harmful or unbiblical.

Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.Proverbs 27:6

Celebrating someone’s choices implies agreement and endorsement, which may not always be possible for the Christian.

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.Romans 12:2

True love is always rooted in truth while extending grace and compassion.

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.John 1:14

Will my absence be seen as hate or might my presence be interpreted as approval?

“The world hates the truth. It does so because it hates God. Sinful humanity is fundamentally opposed to God and His law and will do all that it can to oppose Him, up to and including lashing out against His people. This means that when Christians proclaim the truth of God, they will often face opposition.”

Absence may be misunderstood as rejection or hatred, but clear, loving communication can help clarify motives.

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.1 Peter 3:15-16

Presence at certain events may be interpreted as approval, so believers must be prepared to explain their convictions graciously.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.Matthew 5:16

Ultimately, faithfulness to Christ must take precedence over the fear of misunderstanding.

For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.Galatians 1:10

The Gospel, Hope and Identity Struggles

How does the Gospel offer hope and healing to those confused or hurt by identity issues?

“Some will seek to create a version of God in their own image, wrongly concluding that He supports their attempts to change their gender as a morally neutral, or even praiseworthy, endeavor. The prophet Isaiah condemns such moral maneuvering when he says, “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil.” Others will acknowledge that they are rebelling against God but willfully choose to defy Him anyway.”

The Gospel proclaims that all people, regardless of their struggles, can find forgiveness, new identity, and wholeness in Christ.

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.2 Corinthians 5:17

Our identity is not found in our sexual appetites or identity, but found in Jesus.

Jesus offers compassion and truth, inviting those who are hurting to experience transformation and restoration through faith in Him.

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.Matthew 11:28-30

Believers are called to speak the truth in love, pointing others to the hope and healing found in the Gospel.

But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:Ephesians 4:15

“We are not the first generation to have to confront widespread untruth in the culture, and we will not be the last, unless Jesus Christ returns first. Jesus will preserve His church, and we have the privilege of being that church and shining the light of truth in this dark world.”