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Gender Ideology: What Do Christians Need to Know?
The world has embraced the idea that gender is something that can be decided by individuals. As Christians encounter colleagues, friends and family members who identify as a gender other than the one they were born, we need to be informed and equipped with knowledge about what the issues are, what different terms mean and what the Bible has to say about these things. While we walk the line between loving our neighbour and not buying into the world's lies, Sharon James helps us in this informative and practical guide.
132 pages, Paperback
Published November 8, 2019
38 people are currently reading
318 people want to read
About the author
Sharon James
9 books26 followersSharon James studied history at Cambridge University, theology at Toronto Baptist Seminary, and has a doctorate from the University of Wales. She is married to Bill, who is Principal of London Seminary. They have two grown up children and six grandchildren. Sharon works as Social Policy Analyst for The Christian Institute, UK, and has travelled to many countries as a Conference speaker.
Her webpage includes articles, interviews and talks and information about her latest books.
https://www.sharonjames.org/
Her webpage includes articles, interviews and talks and information about her latest books.
https://www.sharonjames.org/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
October 6, 2025
I really enjoyed this book! It explained the world's view of LGBTQIA+ then , broke it down with biblical truth. It mostly talked about how gender theory is a lie that shouldn't be fallen for.
If your a Christian curious what LGBTQIA+ is and WHY Christians think it's sinful you should read this book.
If your a Christian curious what LGBTQIA+ is and WHY Christians think it's sinful you should read this book.
August 13, 2020
Making some very big claims about gender with very limited scientific backing, sources are biased and limited, heard all these arguments before, listed Two Spirit as one of the 'ridiculous new gender terms' when it's part of ancient Native American culture and should be respected as such, very eurocentric and western culture-based understanding of 'all of human history' on several occasions, proof or evidence for claims are sparce and mostly based on anecdotal evidence and fearmongering using individual cases. Disregards intersex people because they are a 'minority' but repeatedly cites detransition when detransition happens in less than 1% of cases. Poor handling of a couple of very overused statistics, but other than that, it's mostly just telling you what to think without actually telling you why. Also lots of anti-gay, anti-feminist, and anti-leftwing sentiment in there too, among other things, most of which just conflates everything with anarchy. Honestly, I've read better transphobia in internet hate comments.
August 13, 2020
As a Christian, I am appalled that this book seems to be about promoting judgement of others rather than encouraging the kind of love Jesus taught us. The writer assumes that trans people are either unduly influenced or broken and references cited are largely newspaper articles and transphobic texts. Understanding of ancient and modern cultures that have embraced non-binary gender identities for centuries is poor and the book instead invalidates the realities of a gender spectrum and claims it is a modern and dangerous idea. The writer uses sensationalist scare stories about trans people as sexual predators, and argues that the trans community hides stories of detransitioners, which is just not true. It also claims genuine statistics are fake news. If you are a Christian, I pray you will not be taken in by this small but horrific book whose writer should read beyond Romans 1 to Romans 2.
April 13, 2020
This a great introduction to a pressing reality in our current cultural moment. I'd highly recommend this brief introduction if you are looking to begin to understand these topics.
August 13, 2020
Utter Garbage. Would have done a better job as toilet paper than making a book out of very outdated guesses and not facts or logic.
August 13, 2020
This is a harmful and problematic book on gender. Please see a book that is scientifically based for information about gender rather than this one that has straight up lies throughout to promote discrimination. It's disgusting.
April 10, 2020
Excellent primer on the current gender identity ideology, exploring its origins, and exposing its effects. James shows how the purveyors of this theory have been able to indoctrinate children through “anti-bullying” campaigns in schools, yet with no sense of irony, will then bully dissenters into silence, shouting them down as “bigots” and “transphobes.” These activists should be strenuously resisted, but their victims — the gender-confused children — should be treated with kindness, compassion, and respect.
Another ironical aspect of this movement is that this supposed rejection of gender stereotypes actually ends up further reinforcing them:
“In increasing numbers, boys who love princess culture become ‘girls’ and short-haired football-loving girls become ‘boys’. Promoted as a ‘progressive’ social justice movement based on ‘accepting difference’, transgender ideology in fact takes that difference and stamps it out. It says that the sexist stereotypes of ‘gender’ are the true distinction between boys and girls and biological sex is an illusion. In this ideology, ‘being feminine’ has replaced being female as the very definition of ‘girl’.” (Davies-Arai, quoted by James)
Another ironical aspect of this movement is that this supposed rejection of gender stereotypes actually ends up further reinforcing them:
“In increasing numbers, boys who love princess culture become ‘girls’ and short-haired football-loving girls become ‘boys’. Promoted as a ‘progressive’ social justice movement based on ‘accepting difference’, transgender ideology in fact takes that difference and stamps it out. It says that the sexist stereotypes of ‘gender’ are the true distinction between boys and girls and biological sex is an illusion. In this ideology, ‘being feminine’ has replaced being female as the very definition of ‘girl’.” (Davies-Arai, quoted by James)
August 13, 2020
it's one thing to know that people can publish incorrect statements about science and another thing to see it. I'm only grateful I was gifted this book and didn't waste my own money on it as it ended up in the fire.
April 13, 2020
I received this as one of my free books from the Together for the Gospel conference. I mention that because if I hadn’t received it, I doubt I would’ve read it. But I’m very glad I did. It was excellent, especially the second half of the book.
The note I kept writing in the margins was “wow.” Not because I was being the typical look-down-on-the-culture-with-disgust type. But rather because I was genuinely surprised at the history of the gender theory movement and at some of the things happening right now. I follow politics decently closely (but do believe that as a pastor, I should very rarely engage in political discussion unless it is explicitly biblical, because of sola scriptura), so I thought I knew most of this. Yet I didn’t. Most of this was new.
Specifically, her chapter on the FAQs was helpful (chapter 2). Then he explanation of where gender theory came from, with specific people and dates, was fascinating (chapter 4). And finally, her chapter 6 on the transgendering of children was incredibly done. So, chapters 2, 4, and 6 were by far the most informative to me, but the others were good too.
Overall, I totally recommend it. It is short and straight to the point, but you will learn a ton. The only critique I’d have is sometimes she does just repudiate ideas in a way that, if someone was considering them, could come off as distasteful (like when she asks a question and the first word after is simply, “No!”). But I also understand that you don’t always have to be soft, and often shouldn’t be. Yet I do think sometimes she could’ve edited the work more rot be extra-soft (especially since you wouldn’t want *any* perceived callousness to come through on such a tough subject). Nevertheless, that’s a small critique. Overall, it was about as well done as you could hope. Very informative, very sad and compassion-stirring, very frustrating with the history and what’s going on, but very helpful.
The note I kept writing in the margins was “wow.” Not because I was being the typical look-down-on-the-culture-with-disgust type. But rather because I was genuinely surprised at the history of the gender theory movement and at some of the things happening right now. I follow politics decently closely (but do believe that as a pastor, I should very rarely engage in political discussion unless it is explicitly biblical, because of sola scriptura), so I thought I knew most of this. Yet I didn’t. Most of this was new.
Specifically, her chapter on the FAQs was helpful (chapter 2). Then he explanation of where gender theory came from, with specific people and dates, was fascinating (chapter 4). And finally, her chapter 6 on the transgendering of children was incredibly done. So, chapters 2, 4, and 6 were by far the most informative to me, but the others were good too.
Overall, I totally recommend it. It is short and straight to the point, but you will learn a ton. The only critique I’d have is sometimes she does just repudiate ideas in a way that, if someone was considering them, could come off as distasteful (like when she asks a question and the first word after is simply, “No!”). But I also understand that you don’t always have to be soft, and often shouldn’t be. Yet I do think sometimes she could’ve edited the work more rot be extra-soft (especially since you wouldn’t want *any* perceived callousness to come through on such a tough subject). Nevertheless, that’s a small critique. Overall, it was about as well done as you could hope. Very informative, very sad and compassion-stirring, very frustrating with the history and what’s going on, but very helpful.
August 13, 2020
Gods awful book. Like wow, how to describe it? This book is the book equivalent of watching a crazy Karen having a meltdown in the middle of Walmart. Perhaps even that idiot on Facebook who wants to have a go at you, because they think pears are "a different type of apple" and you had the audacity to correct them. Sharon is apparently that person, and I will say that people like her need to not be given a platform. We need intelligent people writing books.
Final note...put that book in a dumpster fire where it belongs. Yikes!
Final note...put that book in a dumpster fire where it belongs. Yikes!
August 13, 2020
Trash.
The writer tried to used the word of God but only to spread hate and encourage judgement. The author that so seems to look up to God and his teachings seemed to forget his main one, to love one another. This book is just transphobic trash just like its writer that did nothing but incentive hate.
Love, respect and accept everyone. The world would be better if we just loved each other.
The writer tried to used the word of God but only to spread hate and encourage judgement. The author that so seems to look up to God and his teachings seemed to forget his main one, to love one another. This book is just transphobic trash just like its writer that did nothing but incentive hate.
Love, respect and accept everyone. The world would be better if we just loved each other.
August 13, 2020
This book is incredibly inaccurate and after reading it I am questioning if this person is even Christian. This whole book is false and he even in the book has wrote about him going against the bible to discriminate and harm people.
September 12, 2020
This book is vey helpful.
Whilst being incredibly sensitive and loving to those who genuinely suffer from gender confusion it also outlines the many dangers of gender ideology.
This book is filled with statistical analysis and testimony that outlines the suffering and deep unhappiness caused by such a complicated issue. Not to mention the immense danger to health and significant lifelong support required for those who undergo gender reassignment. The book appeals for caution as it assesses the outcomes of medical and psychiatric intervention.
Chapter 4 was very significant for me as it outlined the historical thinking behind the movement and it’s deep-seated roots in Marxism. Psychologists and neurologists such as Sigman Freud, Carl Ulrich, Wilhelm Reich (and others like them) blamed Christianity for causing trauma and sexual guilt, and thought it best to ‘liberate’ society from such value systems (that protect women and children) by ridding us of such constraints. The logic being that “we can’t feel guilty if it is no longer wrong”. Many of these forefathers where active paedophiles, certainly supporters.
This book seeks to lovingly guide people through the many difficulties of gender dysphoria so that we can best support those who are suffering with it and protect our families from dangerous ideologies.
Whilst being incredibly sensitive and loving to those who genuinely suffer from gender confusion it also outlines the many dangers of gender ideology.
This book is filled with statistical analysis and testimony that outlines the suffering and deep unhappiness caused by such a complicated issue. Not to mention the immense danger to health and significant lifelong support required for those who undergo gender reassignment. The book appeals for caution as it assesses the outcomes of medical and psychiatric intervention.
Chapter 4 was very significant for me as it outlined the historical thinking behind the movement and it’s deep-seated roots in Marxism. Psychologists and neurologists such as Sigman Freud, Carl Ulrich, Wilhelm Reich (and others like them) blamed Christianity for causing trauma and sexual guilt, and thought it best to ‘liberate’ society from such value systems (that protect women and children) by ridding us of such constraints. The logic being that “we can’t feel guilty if it is no longer wrong”. Many of these forefathers where active paedophiles, certainly supporters.
This book seeks to lovingly guide people through the many difficulties of gender dysphoria so that we can best support those who are suffering with it and protect our families from dangerous ideologies.
January 7, 2023
At some point while reading this book it hit me in a fresh way: the Bible presents the highest view of human life— men and women created by God in his image.
April 12, 2020
This is a book for Christians, non-Christians, parents, non-parents, and in all honesty anyone who cares about the rising tide of gender ideology that is rushing into Western society. Sharon James offers a biblical and logical response to this wave as she presents what “gender ideology” is, as she gives real life examples from those whom suffered from the pressures of gender ideology, and as she articulates why this way of thinking is so dangerous. In the 21st century there may not be two more polarizing things than abortion rights and LGBTQIA+ rights. Somehow both issues fail to see man and woman created in the image of God. Despite the shortness of this book it is a fantastic read, and I truly feel that I learned some very important things about this issue. However, I appreciate that at the end of each chapter she gives resources for further study. Mark Dever said it first, but I’ll quote him here; “Brief and powerful... sets out to explain complicated issues in simple terms, and succeeds.” This is a must read for anyone who wants to seriously engage with the culture and issues at hand.
August 14, 2020
As a Christian, I am appalled that this book seems to be about promoting judgement of others rather than encouraging the kind of love Jesus taught us. The writer assumes that trans people are either unduly influenced or broken and references cited are largely newspaper articles and transphobic texts. Understanding of ancient and modern cultures that have embraced non-binary gender identities for centuries is poor and the book instead invalidates the realities of a gender spectrum and claims it is a modern and dangerous idea. The writer uses sensationalist scare stories about trans people as sexual predators, and argues that the trans community hides stories of detransitioners, which is just not true. It also claims genuine statistics are fake news. If you are a Christian, I pray you will not be taken in by this small but horrific book whose writer should read beyond Romans 1 to Romans 2.
August 13, 2020
Oh look it's ✨Transphobia✨
August 14, 2020
I wanted to read this with an open mind, but it’s a book lacking facts, good conscience, empathy and true understanding of scripture. The Bible teaches us to love our neighbors as ourselves. Christ spent his time showing love to people that this writer would not want to be around. Christ showed love, compassion, empathy and support for those who were different. This book furthers the lack of understanding of scripture shown in the evangelical hate in this world.
August 13, 2020
absolutely terrible, spurts transphobic views with no evidence, useless, hateful and a terrible book
August 13, 2020
Disgusting
August 14, 2020
Full of horrible misinformation, do not read this book, listen to your trans friends <3
February 15, 2021
I had this book on my shelf as a result of it being given free to those who registered for the Gospel Coalition (or maybe it was T4G I get them mixed up). Anyway, it is a recommended book from people I respect. I read this wanting to better understand definitions and arguments surrounding the transgender community.
I couldn’t get past the tone of this book. This book came across as a slam piece that seemed incredibly alarmist and most stories left me scratching my head wondering why she used the most extreme example she could find.
It is so difficult and dangerous to write a book with “What Christians need to know” in the title. You have to be overly sensitive to the vast spectrum of Christians, and while I understand the difficulty of that task and even the impossibility of it, this book didn’t even try. The author can do what she wants, but when there is such a heavy bias you can expect a critique from the ones that thought they were the target audience when the title had “Christian” in it. This book, just being blunt, is most, if not solely, helpful for the Christians that align with conservative policy in regards to social matters.
Continuing, I didn’t like how the book recorded in abundance extreme examples of apparent sex change regret, but rarely made any concessions about other kinds of results (such as satisfaction)... one would think there is no possible result other than catastrophe.
The book was so over the top that it seemed to forget that these are real people who have made real decisions about how they want to live their life or are currently struggling through making a decision.
I was angered at two things that are still in my brain. First, the books condemnation of schools for their promotion of rainbow books in the classroom/ preschools and “equal treatment of homo, bi, and hetero homes.” P. 104. What’s wrong with classroom representation in their literature and equal treatment of other human beings?
Secondly, the book made it a point to state that you should not be afraid of the threat of suicide from others. While one should not be manipulated by the threat, the alarming statistics of how many in the LBGTQ community commit suicide is exactly why I started trying to understand it more. I feel overwhelming empathy for the real people out there that are contemplating it. Why is the focus even on us and how we might be affected by the threat of it? As I type this, I disagree with myself here a little bit. One shouldn’t be manipulated by threats of suicide in their relationships. I have experienced this kind of threat and found a certain freedom when I decided to no longer be controlled by the threat or the idea it might happen. So, I will say it is possible that my anger is more a reflection of how sad I am that someone would take their life of a gender identity confusion rather than the author having a bad point here. I guess I will leave this all in as proof that there is some internal processing going on here, Ha!
I won’t give my opinion on the actual issues raised in the book, but I will end with what I liked about the book. I did like how the book helped me understand the difference between gender identity, sexual orientation, and attraction. It is getting more and more complicated in our society. I appreciated the authors call at the end of the book to respect free speech on the issues. I agree it should not be a hate crime to have an opinion or label something as sin just like it shouldn’t be a crime to be transgender or to support it.
In summary, the book sees the breakdown of the two genders into a spectrum of possibilities as an evil thing that is happening. There you go...
There have to be better books out there that cover this issue with equal brevity.
I couldn’t get past the tone of this book. This book came across as a slam piece that seemed incredibly alarmist and most stories left me scratching my head wondering why she used the most extreme example she could find.
It is so difficult and dangerous to write a book with “What Christians need to know” in the title. You have to be overly sensitive to the vast spectrum of Christians, and while I understand the difficulty of that task and even the impossibility of it, this book didn’t even try. The author can do what she wants, but when there is such a heavy bias you can expect a critique from the ones that thought they were the target audience when the title had “Christian” in it. This book, just being blunt, is most, if not solely, helpful for the Christians that align with conservative policy in regards to social matters.
Continuing, I didn’t like how the book recorded in abundance extreme examples of apparent sex change regret, but rarely made any concessions about other kinds of results (such as satisfaction)... one would think there is no possible result other than catastrophe.
The book was so over the top that it seemed to forget that these are real people who have made real decisions about how they want to live their life or are currently struggling through making a decision.
I was angered at two things that are still in my brain. First, the books condemnation of schools for their promotion of rainbow books in the classroom/ preschools and “equal treatment of homo, bi, and hetero homes.” P. 104. What’s wrong with classroom representation in their literature and equal treatment of other human beings?
Secondly, the book made it a point to state that you should not be afraid of the threat of suicide from others. While one should not be manipulated by the threat, the alarming statistics of how many in the LBGTQ community commit suicide is exactly why I started trying to understand it more. I feel overwhelming empathy for the real people out there that are contemplating it. Why is the focus even on us and how we might be affected by the threat of it? As I type this, I disagree with myself here a little bit. One shouldn’t be manipulated by threats of suicide in their relationships. I have experienced this kind of threat and found a certain freedom when I decided to no longer be controlled by the threat or the idea it might happen. So, I will say it is possible that my anger is more a reflection of how sad I am that someone would take their life of a gender identity confusion rather than the author having a bad point here. I guess I will leave this all in as proof that there is some internal processing going on here, Ha!
I won’t give my opinion on the actual issues raised in the book, but I will end with what I liked about the book. I did like how the book helped me understand the difference between gender identity, sexual orientation, and attraction. It is getting more and more complicated in our society. I appreciated the authors call at the end of the book to respect free speech on the issues. I agree it should not be a hate crime to have an opinion or label something as sin just like it shouldn’t be a crime to be transgender or to support it.
In summary, the book sees the breakdown of the two genders into a spectrum of possibilities as an evil thing that is happening. There you go...
There have to be better books out there that cover this issue with equal brevity.
August 14, 2020
I’m a Queer Christian, and this book is wrong all the way through. Listen to trans people talk about trans issues, and that’s the bottom line.
July 4, 2020
This book was both easy and difficult to read. Easy in that it was well-written, clear, and understandable. It was difficult to read because of the horrifying picture it paints of where our world is at. This gender ideology being taught and even enforced is sowing confusion and destruction in both children and adults. The result/goal is outright rebellion against God and his design. The only reason I was able to make it through this book is because the author does not neglect to remind us of what is true, of who God is, and of the hope we have in Him.
There is a battle being fought and victory can only be found in Christ. We must seek to speak truth but also do so in love. The reality is that people are hurting. Our human instinct is to find satisfaction and healing in ourselves. But God offers a better solution- himself. We must share this good news with others.
There is a battle being fought and victory can only be found in Christ. We must seek to speak truth but also do so in love. The reality is that people are hurting. Our human instinct is to find satisfaction and healing in ourselves. But God offers a better solution- himself. We must share this good news with others.
November 20, 2019
A short, helpful introduction to the concept of gender ideology. There are places where I wish the author had had more time to persuade potentially undecided readers (for instance, more work persuading that the gospel presents a far more glorious vision than gender ideology), but it's difficult to pack everything into 120 pages.
August 15, 2020
Did not enjoy reading this. Did not make any sense, very contradictory with itself. No reliable resources were given.
August 21, 2022
A must read for an introduction to this topic for Christians.
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March 11, 2022"Sharon James prezintă un material dificil și amplu într-o formă accesibilă și condensată, ajutându-l pe cititor să se orienteze prin ceața care învăluie teoria genului și implicațiile ei politice" (și nu numai) - Carl Trueman
Dacă vrei să înțelegi pe scurt ce e ideologia de gen, de unde a apărut, cum se manifestă ea în societatea contemporană și cum ar trebui să răspunzi ca și creștin, aceasta e cartea pe care o cauți. Dacă vrei să aprofundezi subiectul, autoarea oferă la finalul fiecărui capitol resurse bibliografice valoroase.
În mod special dacă ești părinte și vrei să înțelegi în ce ideologie e/va fi scufundată mintea copilului tău, citește această carte cât mai repede!
Dacă vrei să înțelegi pe scurt ce e ideologia de gen, de unde a apărut, cum se manifestă ea în societatea contemporană și cum ar trebui să răspunzi ca și creștin, aceasta e cartea pe care o cauți. Dacă vrei să aprofundezi subiectul, autoarea oferă la finalul fiecărui capitol resurse bibliografice valoroase.
În mod special dacă ești părinte și vrei să înțelegi în ce ideologie e/va fi scufundată mintea copilului tău, citește această carte cât mai repede!
August 18, 2023
A short and simple summary of complicated issues. Super helpful!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews