Biological sex as male or female
Whether human beings are created male or female as a given biological reality (Genesis 1:27, Matthew 19:4) — the historic view across all major Christian traditions. Some affirming churches now recognize transgender identities, "gender-affirming care", and the use of preferred pronouns reflecting departure from biological sex. "Affirms" = the historic view; "denies" = an affirming position on transgender identity. Look for "transgender", "trans-affirming", "non-binary inclusive", "preferred pronouns" as departure signals, vs. "biblical anthropology", "image of God as male and female" as historic-view signals.
This doctrine distinguishes traditions but is not a boundary of orthodoxy.
Who binds this (creedal)
Every affiliated congregation inherits its denomination's position. Follow a chip to see the confession's language.
Key scriptures
- 1Cor 11:7 — For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.
- 1Pet 3:7 — Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
- 1Tim 2:13 — For Adam was first formed, then Eve.
- Eph 5:31 — For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
- Gal 3:28 — There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
- Gen 1:27 — So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
- Gen 2:18 — And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.
- Gen 2:21 — And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;
- Gen 2:22 — And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.
- Gen 2:7 — And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
- Mark 10:6 — But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.
- Matt 19:4 — And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,
What the confessions say
Articles of the historic confessions that address this doctrine.
- Reformed Belgic Confession Art19 — The Two Natures of Christ
- Reformed Belgic Confession Art14 — The Creation and Fall of Humanity
- Reformed Westminster Confession of Faith 4.2 — Of Creation
- Reformed Westminster Shorter Catechism Q10 — How did God create man?
- Anglican Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion Article 9 — Of Original or Birth-sin
- Lutheran Augsburg Confession Article 3 — Of the Son of God
The Church Fathers
The earliest Fathers who commented on the Scriptures above.
Above all, with His holy and undefiled hands He formed man, the most excellent [of His creatures], and truly great through the understanding given him — the express likeness of His own image. For thus says God: "Let us make man in our image, and after our likeness. So God made man; male and female He created them." [Genesis 1:26-27]…
Masters, be gentle towards your servants, as holy Job has taught you; for there is one nature, and one family of mankind. For "in Christ there is neither bond nor free."
Then he subjoined the utterance, clear of all partiality: "For ye are all the children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus." There are not,…
It is certain that, from the very beginning of his nature, man was impressed with these instincts (of sleep). (Genesis 2:21). If you receive your instruction from God, (you will find) that the fountain of the human race, Adam, had a taste of drowsiness before having a draught of repose; slept before he laboured, or even before he ate,…
"And God formed man of the dust of the ground." And what does this import? Are we to say, according to the opinion of some, that there were three men made, one spiritual, one animal, and one earthy? Not such is the case, but the whole narrative is of one man. For the word, "Let us make," is about the man that was to be; and then comes…
It seems to be worth inquiring in this passage how, according to the letter, when the woman was not yet made, the Scripture says, "Male and female he made them." Perhaps, as I think, it is because of the blessing with which he blessed them saying, "Increase and multiply and fill the earth." Anticipating what was to be, the text says,…