Conversation about transgender people has been especially prominent in public discourse and legislation in recent months. From bathrooms to sports to gender markers on government documents, these are challenging times for trans people and those who support them. Sadly, the hatred and fear directed at trans people often comes from those who profess to be Christians.
Transforming: The Bible and the Lives of Transgender Christians by Austen Hartke was originally published in 2018, though an updated and expanded edition was released in 2023 (find it on our ADJ Recommended Reading list through Bookshop and 10% will go to support our MLK events!).
Hartke is himself a transgender Christian, with a Master of Arts in Old Testament/Hebrew Bible Studies from Luther Seminary. His work in this text may very well transform hearts and minds to a greater openness, understanding, and care for transgender people, rooted in stories of God's welcome and affirmation of all kinds of people in Scripture.
Hartke’s approach is generous and patient. The reader is not made to feel dumb for asking questions or desiring theology rooted in the Biblical text. Instead, presenting the work of various scholars, Hartke defines terms and explores various frameworks around faith, gender, and biology, while explaining the problems with and harm resulting from many of these approaches. He provides examples from the Hebrew Bible and New Testament, exploring stories of name changes, welcome of outsiders, and the scarred and transformed body of the resurrected Jesus. Woven throughout are narratives about the lived experience of transgender Christians of various races, backgrounds, and denominations, including Hartke’s own story of grappling with faith and Scripture and theology as he lived into his identity as a transgender man.
Part One of the book focuses on “why theology for and about transgender people is important” (Hartke 6, Kindle ed.). Part Two dives into Scripture, weaving in the stories and reflections of transgender people. The book concludes with a “Trans-Affirming Toolbox” with questions for reflection and ideas to take action for both individuals and congregations. Hartke emphasizes that our communities of faith are not complete without transgender people, whose unique experiences and identities and gifts enrich our common life.
March 31 is Transgender Day of Visibility. Hartke’s work in Transforming indeed makes visible the lives and experiences of transgender Christians, and challenges all Christians to embrace and learn from our transgender siblings. It would be an excellent resource for individual and small group study. As Hartke writes,
“I hope that, as you enter these conversations, you’ll keep asking questions. Keep wondering about what it means to be a part of a faith that has such a rich history, and what it means to be part of a faith family that includes so many different kinds of people. When do we hold on to cherished ideas about the world, and when do we let go? When do we plant ourselves by the river of truth, and when do we admit that, for now, we only see through a glass darkly? Most importantly, how can we best love God, our neighbor, and ourselves?” (Hartke 44, Kindle ed.)
Further reading:
- Check out this interview with the author in Living Lutheran magazine.
- Queer Grace is "an online encyclopedia for LGBTQIA+ and Christian life" - an excellent resource for anyone with questions or uncertainties.
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