[CC1]

Originally Posted by Dante

A "transgendered" person is someone who is undergoing the change from one sex to another. They have either completed the process, or are in the middle of a series of surgeries to complete the process of changing from one gender to another.

With that said...

A pastor friend of mine shared with me a time when he was approached by a couple on his church who had been faithful members for a number of years. This couple was a model example of Christian virtue. They were active in the church, and well respected.

One day, the couple come to the pastor for a private meeting. In this meeting it is revealed that Mrs. So-And-So is really a man who went through a change several years prior to being a woman. This was a secret that the couple had for a number of years.

As to when the husband found out that his "wife" used to be a guy was not relayed to me, but the pastor did tell me that the couple were having issues, because the husband could not come to grips with the fact that his wife was a transgendered person (used to be another man). Now, the couple was locked in a legally binding marriage.

My pastor friend was dumfounded and did not know how to handle the situation, but tried his best to share with them God's love as best as he could.

I have lost contact with that pastor friend, and I never found out the outcome of that situation, but a few questions come to mind that I think bare serious scriptural consideration.

1. If a transgendered person becomes born again, should they reverse their transition if they completed it? Obviously if they have not completed the transition they should cease doing so, but what should someone do in the event they have already completed their transition from one gender to another?

2. If a transgendered person becomes legally married, and converts to Christ, should that couple divorce?

Does anyone care to try and tackle this dilemma? How do you share God's love with these people, yet stress the natural order that God placed in motion at creation?

Excellent theological / ethical question. I am eagerly awaiting the various opinions.

The only thing that clearly and quickly jumps out to me is that it would be impossible for someone to reverse the surgery I believe. However they could stop taking hormones that unnaturally change many of the aspects of their gender.

My gut instinct is that a man deceived into marrying a transgendered person should have a right to divorce. Have not thought it through biblically yet. Having said that form a practical standpoint I have a really hard time believeing you could not tell. Maybe in a few instances but not many. I have seen transgendered persons before and had no problem telling what they were. Maybe they just didn't have enough money for the "deluxe" surgery package that shaved the adams apples, etc. Or maybe they did not have as slim petite build to start with. Most times it is the adams apple and large manly hands that are a dead giveaway.