George Orwell, author of the dystopian novel Nineteen Eighty-Four, ominously wrote: “But if thought corrupts language, language can also corrupt thought.” Orwell captured this idea well in his book with the concept of ‘Newspeak,’ a fictional controlled language of simplified words, grammar, and vocabulary designed to limit people’s ability for critical and innovative thinking. Orwell understood well how words and language profoundly matter because they can influence our thoughts, ideas, and actions. As we say here at Summit Ministries: Good ideas often have good consequences, and bad ideas have victims.
But what does this have to do with sex and gender, and whether they refer to the same thing? Well, the very question concerns the meaning of two popular words related to identity: sex and gender. How one answers the question can have a significant impact on his or her worldview.
Some people (Christians and non-Christians alike) view sex and gender as essentially synonymous. From this perspective, gender can be used as a way to talk about someone’s biological sex. For example, we have ‘gender reveal’ parties to see if a baby is a boy or a girl. Even Merriam-Webster lists sex as a viable synonym for gender. This is the understanding many of us grew up with and could be seen as the traditional point of view.
Another perspective distinguishes sex and gender as referring to different things. Sex, in this view, speaks of biological categories of human beings. A person’s sex would be either male or female and is typically referencing “chromosomes, gonads, sex hormones, and internal reproductive anatomy and external genitalia.”1 Gender, then, is “the psychological, social, and cultural aspects of being male or female.”2 Gender identity would be how one experiences herself or himself as male or female, including how feminine or masculine one feels. Gender dysphoria is when someone experiences distress, inner anguish, or discomfort from sensing a conflict between their gender identity and their biological sex.
As you read this, I’m sure you have some opinions on which view is correct! You may even think there are some clear agendas behind each perspective—perhaps overall restrictive and outdated on the one hand or overly subjective and progressive on the other. But before planting your flag, consider some crucial advice:
- Make sure you understand the words you’re using and why. If you think sex and gender are synonymous or you think they should be distinguished, ensure you have a grasp of what you mean and how that comes across to others.
- If you are engaging with someone else, especially if they have a different worldview, make sure you are not speaking past each other. Too often, we use the same vocabulary but with different dictionaries. You could both be using words like gender, sex, gender identity, dysphoria, and others, yet they could mean entirely different things.
In conversations around people’s identity, including sex and gender, it is crucial to understand what you mean by sex and gender. Are they interchangeable concepts and words? If so, why? If not, why not? In addition to knowing your position, take the time to learn what others around you mean by sex and gender. Seek first to understand, then to be understood.
As you consider whether sex and gender are the same or different sociologically, from a religious perspective, and in the way our culture defines and uses words, remember to ask good questions of yourself and others. Of yourself so that you are consistent in your thinking and speaking, and of others, so you are not talking past each other in a conversation. Words matter and how you use them matters
Our goal as Christians is not merely to win arguments over someone but to winomely speak the truth, genuinely listen, and love them well.
Confused by today’s messages about gender and identity? You’re not alone and Summit is here to journey with you to help your kids embrace God’s truth and champion a biblical worldview.
Check out Raising Gender-Confident Kids: Helping Kids Embrace Their God-Given Design by Dr. Jeff Myers (Summit Ministries) and Dr. Kathy Koch (Celebrate Kids Inc.). The book is a practical, biblically grounded guide to help parents navigate today’s gender confusion.
Also, be sure to check out Summit’s latest podcast, Upside-Down Parenting, where we explore what it looks like to raise your kids according to Jesus’ transformative, upside-down, countercultural way of life.