A novel way of thinking about one’s body has entered into popular culture. “Transgender” individuals refer to their “gender” as a sexual identity that may be male or female, something in between, or neither. This new form of self-identification both differs from and takes priority over one’s biological sex. What are Bibilical Christians to think? How should we respond? We’ll address this controversy head on in this edition of Ask Dr. Walt.

From 2021-2022, I was honored to host a TV show on LiftableTV, “Ask Dr. Walt.”

A novel way of thinking about one’s body has entered into popular culture. “Transgender” individuals refer to their “gender” as a sexual identity that may be male or female, something in between, or neither. This new form of self-identification both differs from and takes priority over one’s biological sex. What are Bibilical Christians to think? How should we respond? We’ll address this controversy head on in this edition of Ask Dr Walt.

You can click below to watch a video of the show, and I’ve put the show transcript at the end of the blog if you’d prefer.

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Show 35

Sexual Identity and Transgenderism

Guest: Mike Chupp, MD

TEASE:

A novel way of thinking about one’s body has entered into popular culture. “Transgender” individuals refer to their “gender” as a sexual identity that may be male or female, something in between, or neither. This new form of self-identification both differs from and takes priority over one’s biological sex. What are Bibilical Christians to think? How should we respond? We’ll address this controversy head on in this edition of Ask Dr. Walt.

OPEN:

Hi, everyone. I’m family physician Dr. Walt Larimore and what an important, but controversial topic we’ll be wading into today. In recent years, gender dysphoria and transgenderism have taken center stage in American public life. Yet, despite their prominence, many Christians and churches feel unprepared to respond to transgender ideology or minister to individuals with gender dysphoria. How can Christians effective witnesses during this transgender tsunami? To help me answer that question, I’d like to welcome back to Ask Dr. Walt my friend, Dr. Mike Chupp, who is a board-certified general surgeon who served for nearly 20 years in Africa as a medical missionary now serves as the CEO of the Christian Medical and Dental Associations, called CMDA, a membership organization of over 18,000 Christians serving in healthcare in the US and around the world. Mike and his wife Pam live in Bristol, Tennessee. Mike, welcome back to Ask Dr. Walt.

• Mike, for viewers who missed our last program together, tell us about CMDA.
• I think it’s important for Christians and Christian leaders to know that CMDA has developed scores of evidence-based position statements on a wide variety of important issues concerning medical ethics – abortion, marijuana, death and dying, disabled persons, euthanasia homosexuality, human trafficking, racism, organ donation, and bunches of other statements. How are they developed?
• Can our viewers access these position papers?
• Well, one of CMDA’s more recent most recent position papers is on the issue of sexual identity and transgenderism. Tell us how that was developed.
• What has the response been?
• What has the pushback been?
• Mind if I ask you some specific questions?
• What does the Bible have to say about gender identity?
• Explain what gender dysphoria is?
• What is trangenderism as an ideology?
• What is gender reassignment surgery and why is it so dangerous?
• How should Christians relate to individuals with gender dysphoria?
• How should Christian parents relate to children who don’t fit gender norms?
• How should Christians and the Church respond to transgenderism as an ideology and a movement?
• How can our viewers find the CMDA position statement on gender identity and transgenderism?

THANK DR. CHUPP

I love CMDA’s emphasis that all human beings are created in the image of, and beloved by, God. All human beings are our “neighbors” and are to be loved by us as we love ourselves. All human beings possess intrinsic dignity and are worthy of equal respect. I hope you agree. By the way, you probably noticed that this episode didn’t have any of your questions. We’d love to hear from you. What questions do you have? What concerns about your or your family’s health? Just send them in to AskDrWalt@LiftableTV.com, and we’ll get to as many as we can during future programs. By the way, I’d love it if you’d be willing to subscribe to one of my daily blogs. You can find them at www.DrWalt.com, that’s D-R-W-A-L-T dot com. So, until our next visit, “Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.”

Disclaimer: The “Ask Dr. Walt” show is designed for entertainment purposes to give information on various medical conditions, treatments, and procedures for your personal knowledge and to help you be a more informed consumer of medical and health services.

© Copyright WLL, INC. 2024. This blog provides healthcare tips and advice that you can trust about a wide variety of general health information only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from your regular physician. If you are concerned about your health, take what you learn from this blog and meet with your personal doctor to discuss your concerns.