Product Overview
"With the insight of a scholar, the skill of a pastor, and the heart of a parent, Brown invites readers to see these questions in a new light. This book is an invaluable resource for allies seeking to deepen their understanding and for those with questions about the language, ideas, and experiences that are shaping these conversations."—Josh Scott, Pastor, GracePointe Church, Nashville, Tennessee, and author of Cross-Examined
No Longer Male and Female provides a helpful guide and Bible study for people of faith who seek to understand gender in ways that may feel strange and new, helping readers better understand both their faith commitments and their communities.
Gender used to seem as simple as buying a pink or blue baby blanket. But now, pronouns in email signatures and debates over trans rights in the news may seem bewildering and strange. Christians especially wonder what to think about transgender and nonbinary identities when they consider Scripture that says God created humans “male and female.” How can someone be neither male nor female or say that their inside doesn’t match their outside?
To help readers wrestling with these topics, Will Brown, a Baptist minister and parent of a nonbinary child, provides this insightful Bible study. Throughout, he examines what Scripture can tell us about gender identity, providing pastoral approaches to pressing questions like:
- What do we mean by “male” and “female”?
- Why should we trust how people say they feel on the inside?
- What’s the deal with sharing pronouns?
- How can one person be “they”?
- How should the church relate to gender-expansive people?
- What do we do when we disagree about LGBTQ+ inclusion
- And finally, if Paul says that in Christ, “there is no longer male and female,” does gender still matter?
Focusing on curiosity and understanding, each chapter engages Scripture to shed light on our broader conversations about gender in the church. Brown’s pastoral approach leads readers to deeper insights into the underlying concepts of gender and enables a more thoughtful understanding of our neighbors and ourselves. With discussion questions included for each chapter, this book is ideal for individual reflection, for small-group and congregational study, or for families to read and discuss together.
In addition to the thoughtful discussion questions found at the end of each chapter, the author has provided session introduction videos for group and individual use. These can be found on the WJK YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/NLMFVideos
Reviews
"No Longer Male and Female may well be the finest book available for church leaders, congregants, parents, and anyone seeking to better understand gender identity and gender expansiveness. With the mind of a scholar and the heart of a pastor, Will Brown weaves together thoughtful biblical reflection, personal experience, and gracious wisdom to help people of faith grow in both understanding and compassion. This book is essential reading for anyone who desires to be better informed and more fully prepared to affirm and care for all God’s children."—Brian Henderson, Executive Director, Association of Welcoming & Affirming Baptists
"If you are trying to figure out how to think about transgender, gender-expansive, and nonbinary people in relation to the Bible and the Christian tradition, read this book. At once biblically rooted in addressing theological questions and pastorally sensitive to lived experience…this book will be a gift to parents of gender-expansive children, a useful text in the seminary classroom, and a must-read for churches committed to supporting queer and trans people."—Cody J. Sanders, Associate Professor of Congregational and Community Care Leadership, Luther Seminary, and author of A Brief Guide to Ministry with LGBTQIA Youth, Updated Edition
"Brown meets readers where they are, modeling the Christian practice of continuously evolving in our understanding of Scripture and the world around us while simultaneously making clear the biblical call to show up in love and care for our transgender and nonbinary siblings. This book will undoubtedly be a valuable guide for those who are unsure where to begin."—Jamie Bruesehoff, author of Raising Kids beyond the Binary
"A winsome and effective Christian treatment of how to understand, love, and include transgender people in churches. This book could become the go-to guide for pastors."—David P. Gushee, author of After Evangelicalism
"With a father’s devotion, a pastor’s heart, and a scholar’s biblical insight, Brown helps readers unpack difficult questions, navigate ambiguity with grace, and see their neighbors through the lens of Jesus’s greatest commandment: love. This is the resource I have been waiting for—a thoughtful, trustworthy guide that I will gladly place in the hands of parents, grandparents, loved ones of gender-expansive persons, church leaders, and small groups seeking a more faithful conversation about gender and belonging."—Mark Feldmeir, Senior Pastor, St. Andrew United Methodist Church, Highlands Ranch, Colorado, and author of Life after God
"Brown’s voice is conversational, approachable, and authentic, grounded in faithful biblical interpretation and holy wrestling with Scripture. As a biblical scholar, a minister, and a parent of nonbinary children, I enthusiastically welcome No Longer Male and Female as an important resource toward more fully loving and understanding our queer loved ones and community members, in dialogue with the Spirit’s leading of the church in our time and place."—Amanda C. Miller, author of Voices of Resistance
"With the insight of a scholar, the skill of a pastor, and the heart of a parent, Brown invites readers to see these questions in a new light. This book is an invaluable resource for allies seeking to deepen their understanding and for those with questions about the language, ideas, and experiences that are shaping these conversations."—Josh Scott, Pastor, GracePointe Church, Nashville, Tennessee, and author of Cross-Examined