The Bible & Being Intersex
“Sex is a spectrum” goes against my faith.
As a faith filled christian, I understand it can be hard to comprehend the concept that sex is a spectrum. I can assure you that God created myself and all people who are Intersex & DSD (Differences of Sex Development) this way. We are rare, but we exist and have always existed. We even make an appearance in the Bible! To deny that sex is a spectrum is paramount to denying God’s plan and design. Want proof? Look to the bible:
Why have you made me this way?
Romans 9:20
But nay, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, “Why hast thou made me thus?”
Who are we to question God? Does the pot ask the potter why did you form me this way? Intersex bodies diverge from the typical binary view of male and female and explore the beautiful spectrum of everything between the two. We were born with natural sex variations; these variations are God given and God designed. Who are we, and who are you to question God’s plan and design? Intersex bodies are perfect exactly as they are.
Who gave human beings their (body parts)?
Exodus 4:11-12
11 The Lord said to him, “Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord? 12 Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.”
When Moses complains to God about not being an amazing public speaker God replies “Who gave human beings their mouths?” God did not give us our intersex body parts by chance, but deliberately. We who are intersex exist on the sex spectrum do so deliberately and with intent. We are not mistakes. We were created with focus and intent. Who made intersex bodies? “Is it not I, the Lord?”
Intersex people In the bible!
Matthew 19:11–13
11 Jesus replied, “Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given.
12 For there are eunuchs who have been so from birth, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let the one who is able to receive this receive it.”
Let the Children Come to Me
13 Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people,
Jesus talks about eunuchs from birth in Mathew, Chapter 19, Verse 12. Eunuchs from birth refers to people where born unable to have sex due to being born with naturally divergent parts. This is the only time that intersex people are mentioned in the bible. In the previous verses they were talking about divorce. Jesus references intersex people to make a point, saying that people can rebuke sex and marriage for the sake of worshiping the Lord.
What I think is interesting about this passage is that there is an implied sacrifice to eunuchs by choice as those who can receive the kingdom of heaven as opposed to those who were eunuchs not by choice. Jesus makes an explicit point about this, and then calls up the children for a blessing.
As a faith filled christian, who has androgen insensitivity syndrome and is sterile, or as the bible puts it, an “eunuch by birth,” it’s interesting to know that Jesus knew of us and spoke of us in the Bible. What I can infer from this passage is that Jesus counts us “eunuchs by birth” as those who can not get into the kingdom of heaven by remaining celibate alone, thus we should be encouraged to follow his teachings. Jesus does not see our intersex condition as a penance for the Lord, but instead treats us as equals to fertile people in the eyes of God.
Jesus sees us just as people, and that level of acceptance is beautiful and humbling. He doesn’t make special accommodations for “eunuchs by birth.” We are expected to follow the same rules as any of his other followers to enter the kingdom of heaven. The fact that Jesus acknowledges intersex people, who’s existence prove that sex is a spectrum, and mark us as equals to his typical follower is a powerful sign of intersex acceptance straight from Jesus as written in the Bible.
In conclusion
In short, to consider yourself a Christian who follows the Bible and the holy words of Jesus, you MUST accept that sex is a spectrum, that intersex bodies are perfect, and that Jesus himself knew of and accepted intersex people.