Westminster John Knox Press publishes ‘No Longer Male and Female’
Will Brown’s book serves as a biblical guide for our questions about gender
“No Longer Male and Female” by Will Brown, published by Westminster John Knox Press, 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, 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?
With a focus 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 here on the WJK YouTube channel.
Download an excerpt from “No Longer Male and Female” here.
"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”
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