This afternoon, Michael Brown posted the following tweet promoting a short (6-minute) video addressing the topic “Can You Be Gay and Christian?”
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to recognize that males were designed for females and females for males. Our Creator knew exactly what He was doing. We illustrate it clearly here: https://t.co/aFa8LNL8nf
— Dr. Michael L. Brown (@DrMichaelLBrown) May 5, 2018
Brown’s comment — “It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to recognize that males were designed for females and females for males” — caught my attention. As a bit of natural theology, it works until it doesn’t. What I mean is that not every human being is born either male or female. And that prompts a practical question: for whom were those folk “designed”?
This is how I put the question in a tweet back to Brown:
“What about those who do not conform (genetically and/or anatomically) to the male/female gender-binary? (E.g. klinefelter syndrome). What would you say to an individual like this who is seeking a life partner?”
Brown promptly replied as follows:
“We recognize these as exceptions to the rule, just like those who are disabled in other ways. But we don’t change the God-given categories because of this, as you surely agree. Each case would need sensitivity and wisdom. I know of some very unusual relationships.”
Unfortunately, that was a cryptic reply which sidestepped my question. So I tweeted again requesting further clarification:
“I agree. But what would your pastoral advice be to a person who was genetically and/or anatomically gender-ambiguous? Would you think they are called to celibacy? Or would you support them seeking a marriage partner?”
This was Brown’s reply:
“I would suggest they seek a suitable marital partner, if possible, also assuming that in most cases, each petson [sic] would ultimately identify as male or female.”
Needless to say, this is an important question that every Christian needs to answer. Are those who congenitally fail to conform to the gender binary called to celibacy? And if so, why? If not, under which conditions may they find relational and sexual wholeness in a marital covenant?
