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We are a group of Transgendered Christians. Transgender is a broad based term describing individuals who tend to resolve the mental and physical balance of male and female attributes and feelings within them, in ways that must often transcend the usual boundaries associated with their birth gender. This spectrum may include everything from those who are more comfortable as a near androgenic blend of male and female, to people who’s physical and mental gender are completely opposite. As such conditions often manifest with an individual apparently crossdressing, an activity often wrongly associated with homosexuality, it has become necessary for believers fitting into the transgendered spectrum to come together for mutual support and prayer, having found much rejection elsewhere. The body of Christ is divided all too often, because of our natural tendency to be uncomfortable with people who are different. This writing, and the pages that follow, are an attempt to both educate and challenge Christian believers to “Test everything, [and] hold on to the good” in obedience to 1 Thess. 5: 21 (NIV). To lay aside their learned reaction to such individuals, and take an honest look at the scriptures, and their own hearts. Why are we contacting Churches? Most Transgender (Ts) do not have the depth of Biblical understanding necessary to defend irrefutably a position that our transgender nature is not sinful or against the teachings of the Bible! Why should you be interested? Tri-ess a national organization of heterosexual crossdressers has put the percentage of CDs in the US at between 3 and 4 percent. This is an extremely conservative number and reflects only a small portion of the transgender population. This means that in all likelihood there are Ts in your congregation. Many of which feel distanced from God by their perception that a T nature is sinful. It is our goal to present a study of the only two verses that can be found that in reality do not when translated carefully, condemn the transgendered. Deut 22:5
The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, Each Word listed in the
Manuscripts will be listed Top to Bottom, Hebrew will be enclosed in
{ } . {LO #3808} Not, Neither, Never. {haw-yaw # 1961} Come to pass, become, cause, pertain, accomplish. {kel-ee' #3627} Any Apparatus prepared, Weapon, Vessel, etc., Utensil {gheh-ber' #1397} Valiant Man, Warrior or soldier, (rarely used for man). {al #5921} A preposition with Practical following "yet" ALWAYS in last relation Downward... {ish-shaw' # 802} Fem of 376 or 582 or 602 root Frail, feeble, mostly used for Woman. {WaLO #3808} (has a jot/tittle added wa) like first word; Neither. {law-bash' #3847} Root Word; wrap, arm, array, Clothe, comeon, Put on. {gheh-ber' #1397} Valiant Man, Warrior or Soldier, same as above. {sim-law' #8071} 'Maybe' fem of 5566 of cover a form, shape, dress Especially! MANTLE. {ish-shaw' #802} Same as above, frail person or Woman. {kee #3588} Consequently, As, Assuredly. { | #9999} inserted word; Are. {to-ay-baw' #8441} Fem active participle of 8581; Disgusting {Yehovah #3069} From 3068 Yehovah (yeh-ho-vaw'); from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God: The Sacred Name of our Creator; Properly Spelled Yahveh, Pronounced Yah-Vay' or Yahaveh pronounced Yah-ha-Vay'. {el-o-heem' #430} God of host, a title for OUR Wonderful Father. {kole #3605} Whole {aw-saw' #6213} To do, make as in Force. {ale'-leh #428} Thus, These, Those, or so. So there is Deuteronomy 22:5 from as the Greens Interlinear Depicts it: Sarah stated that the Israelites use the passage to support that women should not fight wars. 3808-never, 1961-cause,
3627-weapon, 1397-of warrior, 5921-placed on 802-frail person or woman, 3808-neither,
3847-put on / or wrap 1397-valiant warriors, 8071- Armor or Mantle (as in Helmet),
802-frail person / woman, 3588-Consequently, 8441-Disgusting, 3069- To YAHVEH, 430- GOD of
HOST, 3605- All, 6213- force / make / to-do, 428- Thus or So... Put simply; Never cause or
force a warriors Weapon to be used by a woman OR:
YAHVEH, GOD of HOST , considers such disgusting those that force the weak or
Woman to fight in a WAR.
Inheritance 2816: kleronomeo (klay-ron-om-eh'-o);from 2818; to be an heir to (literally or figuratively): 2818
kleronomos (klay-ron-om'-os);from 2819 and the base of 3551 (in its original
sense of partitioning, i.e. [reflexively] getting by apportionment); a sharer by
lot, i.e. inheritor (literally or figuratively); by implication, a possessor: Kingdom of GOD 932: basileia (bas-il-i'-ah);properly, royalty, i.e. (abstractly) rule, or (concretely) a realm (literally or figuratively): Deception 4105: planao
(plan-ah'-o);from 4106; to (properly, cause to) roam (from safety, truth, or
virtue): Fornicators 4205: pornos
(por'-nos);from pernemi (to sell; akin to the base of 4097); a (male) 4008
peran (per'-an); apparently accusative case of an obsolete derivative of peiro
(to "pierce"); through (as adverb or preposition), i.e. across: Idolaters 1496: eidololatres
(i-do-lol-at'-race);from 1497 and the base of 3000; an image- servant or)
worshipper (literally or figuratively): 1497 eidolon (i'-do-lon); from 1491; an
image (i.e. for worship); by implication, a heathen god, or (plural) the worship
of such: Adulterers 3432: moichos
(moy-khos');perhaps a primary word; a (male) paramour; figuratively, apostate: Effeminate 3120: malakos (mal-ak-os');of uncertain affinity; soft, i.e. fine (clothing); figuratively, a catamite: A boy who has a sexual relationship with a man. NIV.
Male prostitute.(Gigolo) Abusers of themselves with Males 733: arsenokoites (ar-sen-ok-oy'-tace);from 730 and 2845; a sodomite: 730 arrhen (ar'-hrane); or arsen (ar'-sane); probably from 142; male (as stronger for lifting): 2845
koite (koy'-tay); from 2749; a couch; by extension cohabitation; by implication,
the male sperm:
There are two words in question in this verse. The first is Malakoi, which has been pointed out literally means “Soft”. It has also been stated that it also had the meaning of “Catamite”, which means a “boy prostitute”, or “a boy who has sex with men”, or “the passive partner in a male Homosexual relationship.” The word Malakoi did NOT have these “catamite” meanings in Greek. Rather these translations are all conjecturers of modern translators. Universally the term meant “soft” or “weak”. But what has happened is that some modern scholars have concluded that it is being used here in a unique metaphorical way coupling it with the following term, arsenokoite. Arsenokoite is a word that appears only THREE times in all ancient Greek texts. Here, in a companion list of sins in 1 Timothty 1:10, and by a later Greek Father who was commenting upon 1 Corinthians 6:9. This word appears to be a made up word by Paul who stuck together two other Greek words, “Arsen” - male and “Koitos”-sexual intercourse.” As you can see, the term could either then mean “men who have sex” or “those men who have sex with men.” Well, you can see the problem with literal translations, the passage would say that anyone who was soft or any man who ever had sex were excluded from the kingdom. This ancient Greek Father took the tact that “Arsenokoite” meant men who have sex too much due to being addicted to boy prostitutes. Based on this, many modern scholars have concluded that “Malakoi” must mean the boy prostitutes. This is possible, but it is conjecture, not a literal translation. Another reasonable way of thinking about the usage of “Malakoi” here is that it means soft in a moral sense. This would not bring the idea to the text that “Malakoi” must be coupled with the following word, an idea that is not actually in the text but only due to conjecture. If “Malakoi” here does have the sense of morally soft then it would be built on the usage of Jesus who, as it has been pointed out, used the word to contrast John the Baptist with those destitute rich who did not measure up to his righteousness. Mat 11:8 and Luke7:25. What is interesting is that the KJV translation of “Malakoi” into “effeminate” may actually be due to understanding the term in this moral softness sense and not in any “catamite” sense at all! This is due to the fact that in the 16th through the 18th Centuries the term “effeminate” did not mean what it means to us today. Then the term was applied to a class of men who were notorious womanizers, flamboyantly Heterosexual. These men pursued women as a career, often living off the older rich women whom they seduced. These men were so interested in seducing women that they disdained the world of men to live in the world of women. So instead of being with the men in the hunt, in the tavern, and in the smoking room discussing politics, they spent all their time with women in the parlor, at tea and in the garden gossiping, playing cards and talking fashion. These men were concerned greatly about fashion, but only about male fashion. The most famous of these men was Casanova. This is the kind of man that people thought of in the 16th-18th Century when the word “effeminate” was used. Thus we can see how to the KJV translators the word “effeminate” might have seemed to them an appropriate term for the idea of the morally soft and weak. If this is true, and I am convinced it is by my studies of 16th through 18th Century History, then the term had nothing to do with men who want to be women, neither TG or Homosexual men, but men who had no moral fiber what so ever. We have demonstrated that the original Hebrew text of Duet 22:5 applies to a prohibition against forcing women and the weak from taking up the weapons of war We have also demonstrated the use of effeminate in Cor 6:9 due to linguistic drift means the exact opposite of what it did when the verse was translated, probably the word gigolo comes closest to the to the correct current interpretation. The NIV translators use male prostitute which would seem to bear this out. This gives a progression of adulterer, male prostitute, homosexual. Therefor we have demonstrated there is no scriptural basis for condemnation, scorn, or reproof of the transgendered. A T nature is not inherently sinful, however if there is a clear intent to deceive or engage in unlawful or immoral purposes, that is a separate issue and clearly sinful. We believe that it is morally, factually and scripturaly wrong to persecute the transgendered. Sandra Stewart
We are a group of Transgendered Christians. Transgender is a broad based term describing individuals who tend to resolve the mental and physical balance of male and female attributes and feelings within them, in ways that must often transcend the usual boundaries associated with their birth gender. This spectrum may include everything from those who are more comfortable as a near androgenic blend of male and female, to people who’s physical and mental gender are completely opposite. As such conditions often manifest with an individual apparently crossdressing, an activity often wrongly associated with homosexuality, it has become necessary for believers fitting into the transgendered spectrum to come together for mutual support and prayer, having found much rejection elsewhere. The body of Christ is divided all too often, because of our natural tendency to be uncomfortable with people who are different. This writing, and the pages that follow, are an attempt to both educate and challenge Christian believers to “Test everything, [and] hold on to the good” in obedience to 1 Thess. 5: 21 (NIV). To lay aside their learned reaction to such individuals, and take an honest look at the scriptures, and their own hearts. Why are we contacting Churches? Most Transgender (Ts) do not have the depth of Biblical understanding necessary to defend irrefutably a position that our transgender nature is not sinful or against the teachings of the Bible! Why should you be interested? Tri-ess a national organization of heterosexual crossdressers has put the percentage of CDs in the US at between 3 and 4 percent. This is an extremely conservative number and reflects only a small portion of the transgender population. This means that in all likelihood there are Ts in your congregation. Many of which feel distanced from God by their perception that a T nature is sinful. It is our goal to present a study of the only two verses that can be found that in reality do not when translated carefully, condemn the transgendered. Deut 22:5
The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on
a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD
thy God. (KJV Each Word listed in the
Manuscripts will be listed Top to Bottom, On the Left margin with the
several meaning the Word can have, Hebrew words are context sensitive
and one word can mean; he, she, them, our, Etc. Depending on previous or
following Words. Hebrew will be enclosed in
{ } . {LO #3808} Not, Neither, Never. {haw-yaw # 1961} Come to pass, become, cause, pertain, accomplish. {kel-ee' #3627} Any Apparatus prepared, Weapon, Vessel, etc., Utensil {gheh-ber' #1397} Valiant Man, Warrior or soldier, (rarely used for man). {al #5921} A preposition with Practical following "yet" ALWAYS in last relation Downward... {ish-shaw' # 802} Fem of 376 or 582 or 602 root Frail, feeble, mostly used for Woman. {WaLO #3808} (has a jot/tittle added wa) like first word; Neither. {law-bash' #3847} Root Word; wrap, arm, array, Clothe, comeon, Put on. {gheh-ber' #1397} Valiant Man, Warrior or Soldier, same as above. {sim-law' #8071} 'Maybe' fem of 5566 of cover a form, shape, dress Especially! MANTLE. {ish-shaw' #802} Same as above, frail person or Woman. {kee #3588} Consequently, As, Assuredly. { | #9999} inserted word; Are. {to-ay-baw' #8441} Fem active participle of 8581; Disgusting {Yehovah #3069} From 3068 Yehovah (yeh-ho-vaw'); from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God: The Sacred Name of our Creator; Properly Spelled Yahveh, Pronounced Yah-Vay' or Yahaveh pronounced Yah-ha-Vay'. {el-o-heem' #430} God of host, a title for OUR Wonderful Father. {kole #3605} Whole {aw-saw' #6213} To do, make as in Force. {ale'-leh #428} Thus, These, Those, or so. So there is Deuteronomy 22:5 from as the Greens Interlinear Depicts it: Sarah stated that the Israelites use the passage to support that women should not fight wars. 3808-never, 1961-cause, 3627-weapon, 1397-of warrior, 5921-placed on 802-frail person or woman, 3808-neither, 3847-put on / or wrap 1397-valiant warriors, 8071- Armor or Mantle (as in Helmet), 802-frail person / woman, 3588-Consequently, 8441-Disgusting, 3069- To YAHVEH, 430- GOD of HOST, 3605- All, 6213- force / make / to-do, 428- Thus or So... Put simply; Never cause or
force a warriors Weapon to be used by a woman or weak person; neither
dress warriors armor on a woman or weak person for to YAHVEH, GOD of HOST,
disgusting is such that do So. OR:
YAHVEH, GOD of HOST , considers such disgusting those that force the weak or
Woman to fight in a WAR.
Inheritance 2816: kleronomeo (klay-ron-om-eh'-o);from 2818; to be an heir to (literally or figuratively): 2818
kleronomos (klay-ron-om'-os);from 2819 and the base of 3551 (in its original
sense of partitioning, i.e. [reflexively] getting by apportionment); a sharer by
lot, i.e. inheritor (literally or figuratively); by implication, a possessor: Kingdom of GOD 932: basileia (bas-il-i'-ah);properly, royalty, i.e. (abstractly) rule, or (concretely) a realm (literally or figuratively): Deception 4105: planao
(plan-ah'-o);from 4106; to (properly, cause to) roam (from safety, truth, or
virtue): Fornicators 4205: pornos
(por'-nos);from pernemi (to sell; akin to the base of 4097); a (male) 4008
peran (per'-an); apparently accusative case of an obsolete derivative of peiro
(to "pierce"); through (as adverb or preposition), i.e. across: Idolaters 1496: eidololatres
(i-do-lol-at'-race);from 1497 and the base of 3000; an image- servant or)
worshipper (literally or figuratively): 1497 eidolon (i'-do-lon); from 1491; an
image (i.e. for worship); by implication, a heathen god, or (plural) the worship
of such: Adulterers 3432: moichos
(moy-khos');perhaps a primary word; a (male) paramour; figuratively, apostate: Effeminate 3120: malakos (mal-ak-os');of uncertain affinity; soft, i.e. fine (clothing); figuratively, a catamite: A boy who has a sexual relationship with a man. NIV. Male prostitute.(Gigolo) Abusers of themselves with Males 733: arsenokoites (ar-sen-ok-oy'-tace);from 730 and 2845; a sodomite: 730 arrhen (ar'-hrane); or arsen (ar'-sane); probably from 142; male (as stronger for lifting): 2845
koite (koy'-tay); from 2749; a couch; by extension cohabitation; by implication,
the male sperm:
There are two words in question in this verse. The first is Malakoi, which has been pointed out literally means “Soft”. It has also been stated that it also had the meaning of “Catamite”, which means a “boy prostitute”, or “a boy who has sex with men”, or “the passive partner in a male Homosexual relationship.” The word Malakoi did NOT have these “catamite” meanings in Greek. Rather these translations are all conjecturers of modern translators. Universally the term meant “soft” or “weak”. But what has happened is that some modern scholars have concluded that it is being used here in a unique metaphorical way coupling it with the following term, arsenokoite. Arsenokoite is a word that appears only THREE times in all ancient Greek texts. Here, in a companion list of sins in 1 Timothty 1:10, and by a later Greek Father who was commenting upon 1 Corinthians 6:9. This word appears to be a made up word by Paul who stuck together two other Greek words, “Arsen” - male and “Koitos”-sexual intercourse.” As you can see, the term could either then mean “men who have sex” or “those men who have sex with men.” Well, you can see the problem with literal translations, the passage would say that anyone who was soft or any man who ever had sex were excluded from the kingdom. This ancient Greek Father took the tact that “Arsenokoite” meant men who have sex too much due to being addicted to boy prostitutes. Based on this, many modern scholars have concluded that “Malakoi” must mean the boy prostitutes. This is possible, but it is conjecture, not a literal translation. Another reasonable way of thinking about the usage of “Malakoi” here is that it means soft in a moral sense. This would not bring the idea to the text that “Malakoi” must be coupled with the following word, an idea that is not actually in the text but only due to conjecture. If “Malakoi” here does have the sense of morally soft then it would be built on the usage of Jesus who, as it has been pointed out, used the word to contrast John the Baptist with those destitute rich who did not measure up to his righteousness. Mat 11:8 and Luke7:25. What is interesting is that the KJV translation of “Malakoi” into “effeminate” may actually be due to understanding the term in this moral softness sense and not in any “catamite” sense at all! This is due to the fact that in the 16th through the 18th Centuries the term “effeminate” did not mean what it means to us today. Then the term was applied to a class of men who were notorious womanizers, flamboyantly Heterosexual. These men pursued women as a career, often living off the older rich women whom they seduced. These men were so interested in seducing women that they disdained the world of men to live in the world of women. So instead of being with the men in the hunt, in the tavern, and in the smoking room discussing politics, they spent all their time with women in the parlor, at tea and in the garden gossiping, playing cards and talking fashion. These men were concerned greatly about fashion, but only about male fashion. The most famous of these men was Casanova. This is the kind of man that people thought of in the 16th-18th Century when the word “effeminate” was used. Thus we can see how to the KJV translators the word “effeminate” might have seemed to them an appropriate term for the idea of the morally soft and weak. If this is true, and I am convinced it is by my studies of 16th through 18th Century History, then the term had nothing to do with men who want to be women, neither TG or Homosexual men, but men who had no moral fiber what so ever. We have demonstrated that the original Hebrew text of Duet 22:5 applies to a prohibition against forcing women and the weak from taking up the weapons of war We have also demonstrated the use of effeminate in Cor 6:9 due to linguistic drift means the exact opposite of what it did when the verse was translated, probably the word gigolo comes closest to the to the correct current interpretation. The NIV translators use male prostitute which would seem to bear this out. This gives a progression of adulterer, male prostitute, homosexual. Therefor we have demonstrated there is no scriptural basis for condemnation, scorn, or reproof of the transgendered. A T nature is not inherently sinful, however if there is a clear intent to deceive or engage in unlawful or immoral purposes, that is a separate issue and clearly sinful. We believe that it is morally, factually and scripturaly wrong to persecute the transgendered. Sandi Stewart
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