Understanding Gender Dysphoria

""Mark Yarhouse has written yet another important contribution to the church's discussion about LGBTQ issues, this time focusing specifically on questions related to transgender people. This book is informed by studious attention to the Bible, sound theological reasoning and deep psychological wisdom, all of which is sifted through a compassionate heart that wants to see people experience the deep love of Christ. This book is a must read for any Christian who wants to think Christianly about what it means to be transgender. Mark's pastoral posture and commitment to biblical truth is a model for every evangelical Christian."" -- Preston M. Sprinkle, president of The Center for Faith, Sexuality & Gender and author of Embodied, from the first edition ""This new edition of Understanding Gender Dysphoria informs the Christian community about what researchers know and don't know about gender dysphoria. Christians are encouraged to enter this discussion with humility and patience, with ongoing study of both science and Scripture. Mark Yarhouse integrates biblical and theological perspectives with cutting-edge psychology research for the benefit of those experiencing gender dysphoria and those who care for them."" -- Jenell Paris, professor of anthropology at Messiah University ""Mark Yarhouse's Understanding Gender Dysphoria is essential reading for Christians today. This updated edition equips people navigating gender identity questions, parents, pastors and clinicians alike to better understand the complexity of this terrain, while grounding all of us in charity, clarity, and compassion. Yarhouse's decades of research and clinical practice integrated with his deep faith and commitment to orthodoxy offer a treasure trove of wisdom for all of us."" -- Julia Sadusky, licensed psychologist and author of Talking with Your Teen about Sex and Emerging Gender Identities ""Shortly after the first edition of Understanding Gender Dysphoria was published in 2015, I had the privilege of hosting Dr. Mark Yarhouse for a pastors' conference at Irving Bible Church. I desperately wanted to benefit with my colleagues not only from Mark's expertise in the theological and psychological complexities of gender dysphoria but from his pastoral heart in seeking to minister to those on the margins while they grappled with painful questions regarding sexual identity. Mark did not disappoint then, nor will he now in releasing this updated version of his wonderful book!"" -- E. Andrew McQuitty, founder of Kaleo Collective and author of Notes from the Valley and The Way to Brave ""Mark Yarhouse, a leading expert on human sexuality, brings wisdom and compassion for people and organizations who want to be Christ followers in a complex age. His book unpacks the research and theory on gender dysphoria in understandable ways. This book is required reading for Christians who believe God loves all people and that the church has something to offer all of God's beloved."" -- Shirley Hoogstra, Christian higher education leader, author, and advisor ""The second edition of Understanding Gender Dysphoria preserves the creative, instructive, and pragmatic three lens framework of the first but with added nuance and cutting-edge updates on this rapidly evolving clinical and societal area. As cultural tensions around gender issues and transgenderism have increased, the need for a theologically, clinically, and scientifically competent exposition of the related topics has only intensified. Mark A. Yarhouse's text remains the standout Christian resource for this purpose."" -- William L. Hathaway, provost and professor of psychology at Regent University