What Does God Think? Transgender People and the Bible

Evans (I Promised Not to Tell) presents an accessible introduction to issues surrounding trans identity and Christianity. After a brief explanation of the science of sexual diversity and the growing public awareness of trans people, Evans—who began exploring and struggling with these concepts after her son came out as trans—embarks on a fairly high-level exploration of the difficulty of relying on the Bible to address modern concerns. Homing in on inconsistencies and highlighting stories such as that of Philip and the eunuch, she builds the case that the Bible is less conservative than many traditionalists assert. Evans has no formal theological training, but this looseness keeps her prodding and genuine questions from feeling like a harangue. She closes with a stern warning against judgment and a plea for humility, though sometimes her excitement backs her into unpolished rhetorical corners—for instance, she argues that recent successes for LGBTQ people could be interpreted as a sign that God approves of them. The volume’s tendency to mention but not fully explore provocative scripture readings and scientific claims will disappoint some, but Evans’s clear, heartfelt writing is a compassionate starting point for discussion. (BookLife)