Questions of transgenderism have already for a time been a challenge that has often caught ministry leaders off guard and unprepared. But there is another new phenomenon on the horizon that requires our prayerful attention, and that is the explosion of new terms that young people are using to describe and curate their sexual and gender identities.

In this follow-up conversation with Dr. Mark Yarhouse about the book he recently co-authored entitled “Emerging Sexual Identities,” Mark helpfully explains the new terms people may use to describe not only their sexual orientation but also their gender identity, their romantic feelings, their sexual attraction, and their sexual behavior — and the ways in which these terms might be mixed and matched with a high degree of specificity to create what he calls “micro-minoritized identities.” In addition to orienting us to this emerging language, Mark offers advice for parents, pastors, and youth leaders regarding best practices to embrace and common pitfalls to avoid as we seek to minister to young people exploring emerging sexual identities. Mark offers a strong encouragement to help bridge the gap between the language of the Bible and the language of our culture in order to promote a robust outreach and discipleship effort within our respective ministries.

Dr. Yarhouse is a clinical psychologist who specializes in conflicts tied to religious identity and sexual and gender identity. In particular, he assists people who are navigating the complex relationship between their sexual or gender identity and Christian faith. In addition to being the author of “Understanding Gender Dysphoria” and “Emerging Sexual Identities,” Mark is a Psychology Professor at Wheaton College, and he runs the Sexual and Gender Identity Institute and the Mental Health Collective.

The Sexual and Gender Identity Institute, Wheaton College

Emerging Sexual Identities: Navigating the Landscape with Today’s Youth by Mark Yarhouse and Julia Sadusky

Understanding Gender Dysphoria: Navigating Transgender Issues in a Changing Culture by Mark Yarhouse

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It is incredibly heartbreaking to hear someone say that they feel like they are trapped in the wrong body. As Christians, we want to respond in love and guide people in ways that will honor God and contribute to their flourishing. But we often struggle to know what to do or say.

In this episode, Dr. Mark Yarhouse defines terms such as gender dysphoria, gender identity, and transgender identity, he presents a series of different frameworks for addressing gender dysphoria concerns, and he offers an integrated model for Christians. This conversation is filled to the brim with thoughtful and actionable advice for pastors and parents, for pediatricians and educators, and for the good friends and colleagues of those struggling with gender identity.

Dr. Mark Yarhouse is an author and psychology professor at Wheaton College in Wheaton, IL, where he runs the Sexual and Gender Identity Institute and the Mental Health Collective. Dr. Yarhouse is a clinical psychologist who specializes in conflicts tied to religious identity and sexual and gender identity. In particular, he assists people who are navigating the complex relationship between their sexual or gender identity and Christian faith.

The Sexual and Gender Identity Institute, Wheaton College; Wheaton, IL

Talking to Kids About Gender Identity: A Roadmap for Christian Compassion, Civility, and Conviction by Mark Yarhouse

Emerging Sexual Identities: Navigating the Landscape with Today’s Youth by Mark Yarhouse and Julia Sadusky

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Many of our most deeply cherished values and strongly held commitments did not arise out of ancient Persia, Sparta, or Rome, but they are uniquely and distinctively Christian.

That is the powerful argument that Tom Holland makes in his book “Dominion: How the Christian Revolution Remade the World.” In this episode, we discuss how thoroughly Christianity has shaped Western society — so much so that we tend to take it for granted. With fresh insight and perspective, Tom discusses the radical strangeness of Christianity and the completely unexpected and charismatic figure of Jesus. For those individuals and parts of the world that have grown familiar or bored with the Christian story, Tom makes Christianity an object of curiosity once more.

Tom Holland is an award-winning historian, author, translator, and broadcaster. He is co-presenter of the world’s most popular history podcast called “The Rest is History.” Among many other books, Tom is the author of “Dominion: How the Christian Revolution Remade the World.”

Dominion: How The Christian Revolution Remade the World by Tom Holland

The Rest Is History podcast

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