Featured Articles
Cuento tan viejo como el tiempo: La verdad sobre el transgénero
Por Lisa*
Mi hermano casado de 37 años con cinco hijos menores de nueve años me envió un correo electrónico hace unos meses anunciando sus planes de convertirse en mujer. Su esposa lo está animando a la transición.
La disforia de género solía estar justo al lado de la esquizofrenia en el DSM-V (el manual de diagnóstico utilizado por los psiquiatras). Esto tiene mucho sentido dado que mi hermano está reclamando que una mujer vive dentro de su cuerpo. Con el fin de dejarla salir, no sólo debe usar vestidos, tacones, y maquillaje, también debe comenzar a tomar hormonas femeninas para transformar su cuerpo en el de una mujer.
El verdadero yo
Lo que me preocupa aún más que el declive de mi hermano en salud mental es que innumerables personas a su alrededor han decidido simplemente “amarlo y apoyarlo” en su “viaje”. Si él estaba afirmando que él creía que un extranjero o un viajero del tiempo vivía dentro de su cuerpo, podrían no ser tan de apoyo. Pero debido a que es 2019 y la negación de la realidad cuando se trata de género es culturalmente de moda, la gente va con él. Están aterrorizados de que los llamen intolerantes. Dicen cosas como: “Si él nos dice que ella es su ‘verdadero yo’, ¿quiénes somos nosotros para discutir”?
Ah, sí… el “verdadero yo”, un mantra de una generación. No importa adónde vayas, no puedes escapar de él. Libros, programas de televisión, subtítulos de Instagram y memes de Internet sugieren que todos podemos alcanzar mayores niveles de salud y paz a través de una comprensión más profunda y la expresión de nuestro “verdadero yo”.
En la época había algo llamado realismo moral, una cosmovisión que enfatizaba el pecado humano y la debilidad. Figuras bíblicas como David y Moisés fueron vistas como grandes líderes que también estaban profundamente viciados. Agustín y los primeros padres de la iglesia hablaron sobre la depravación del pecado y la necesidad de gracia. Entonces alrededor del siglo XVIII el realismo moral encontró a su rival en el romanticismo moral. Románticos como Jean-Jacques Rousseau empezaron a hablar de la bondad inherente del hombre.
Avance rápido a 1946 cuando el rabino Liebman publicó su libro Paz de la mente. El libro instó a las personas hacia una nueva moralidad basada en la idea de que nunca debes reprimir ninguna parte de ti mismo como pecador. En su lugar, debes “amarte” y no tener miedo de tus impulsos ocultos. El libro se convirtió en un best seller del New York Times durante 58 semanas. Los psicólogos humanistas corrieron con él, argumentando que el problema principal para los seres humanos ya no era el pecado, sino más bien el hecho de que no estábamos aceptando exactamente como Dios nos hizo. Esta línea de pensamiento condujo al advenimiento del movimiento de autoestima en 1969. El núcleo de ese movimiento se transformó en lo que el autor Charles Taylor llama “la cultura de la autenticidad”.
La creencia central de la cultura de la autenticidad es la siguiente:
En el centro de cada uno de nosotros hay una Figura Dorada conocida como “el verdadero yo”. Siempre se puede confiar en el verdadero yo. Sabes que lo que estás haciendo es correcto cuando sientes una paz interior (o shalom) dentro de tu verdadero yo. Sabes que lo que estás haciendo está mal si no sientes esa paz.
Debido a que el verdadero yo es inherentemente bueno, no hay pecado que se encuentre en él. El pecado ahora se encuentra sólo en las estructuras externas de la sociedad que buscan reprimir el verdadero yo.
En su libro ‘El camino a carácter’, David Brooks explica que las generaciones mayores creían que el desarrollo del carácter venía luchando contra los deseos del verdadero yo. Rasgos como el desinterés y el sacrificio se consideraban más admirables. Las generaciones más jóvenes, en cambio, creen que el rasgo más admirable es la autoexpresión radical.
Por lo tanto, los pasos hacia la “nueva salvación” que promueven las generaciones más jóvenes incluyen
- renunciar a cualquier lucha anterior que haya tenido contra su verdadero yo,
- dejar que su verdadero yo emerja plenamente sin culpa o vergüenza (ambos son construcciones de sistemas religiosos antiguos y obsoletos),
- • adoptar un nuevo vocabulario en el que palabras como “pecado” y “mal” ahora se refieren a las estructuras externas de la sociedad que te hicieron dudar de tu verdadero yo en primer lugar. (Los nuevos “males” son la religión organizada y cualquier sistema de pensamiento que busque oprimir a los débiles o marginados, como la pobreza, el racismo, la misoginia o cualquier cosa que sea anti-LGBTQ.)
Sin embargo, el filósofo británico del siglo XIX John Stuart Mill dijo que el punto de la vida era luchar todos los días para “sacrificar el verdadero yo en el altar del cuidado y la preocupación por los demás”. Esto se hace logrando una serie de pequeñas victorias internas contra nuestros propios deseos porque sabes que actuar sobre ellas podría resultar en consecuencias negativas para los demás. Incluso si actuar sobre nuestros impulsos no se siente como si estuviera haciendo ningún daño en el momento, podría estar afectando negativamente a innumerables generaciones venideras. Por lo tanto, construimos el carácter por mil actos desinteresados de moderación que nadie ve.
Pero en los Estados Unidos del siglo XXI, esta línea de pensamiento no computa. No aplaudimos a la gente por moderación; aplaudimos a la gente por tirar la moderación. De ahí que los cientos de seguidores de Instagram ahora le den a mi hermano un “corazón” para el anunciado que es una mujer.
El problema lógico con esto es que si un hombre ha de ser “apoyado y celebrado” mientras se embarca en su viaje para convertirse en mujer, ¿no se debe celebrar a todos mientras continúan por el camino hacia su verdadero yo? ¿No debería alentarse a la mujer casada cuando se vuelve a conectar con su verdadero yo en los brazos de otro hombre? Nuestra cultura diría que sí, y los libros escritos sobre esto se han convertido en best sellers.
Si eliminamos el concepto de naturaleza del pecado y reconocemos que todo el mundo es intrínsecamente bueno, realmente no hay impulso contra el que se deba luchar. Nunca. El adicto al porno también puede explorar su adicción. El alcohólico y el usuario de heroína también. ¿Y qué hay del pedófilo? ¿Qué hacemos con el hombre que dice que su verdadero yo se ha sentido atraído por los niños pequeños desde que llegó a la pubertad?
Mi hermano y mi cuñada estarían de acuerdo en que no deberíamos tolerar ningún comportamiento que “causara daño a los demás”. Argumentarían que la persona trans no está dañando a nadie cambiando de género. Así que vamos a considerar ese argumento. ¿Mi hermano, que ha sido hombre durante más de tres décadas, convertirse repentinamente en mujer no sería realmente perjudicial para nadie?
Supongo que eso depende de tu definición de dañino. ¿Es perjudicial interrumpir la salud mental, emocional y física de todos los miembros de tu familia, tanto inmediatos como extendidos, durante meses y probablemente años por venir? ¿Es perjudicial criar a cinco niños pequeños en un estado de confusión psicológica en el que la persona que pensaban que era una cosa es ahora otra, una en la que sus padres se transforman de una pareja heterosexual a una pareja homosexual justo delante de sus ojos? ¿Es perjudicial para un esposo que prometió amar y apreciar a su esposa abandonar todas las responsabilidades como el hombre que pensaba que se casó? ¿Es perjudicial para un padre de cinco años cometer una forma lenta de suicidio cuando comienza a desaparecer y una nueva criatura (completa con un nombre diferente) toma su lugar?
Mi hermano alto, guapo y musculoso comenzó a tomar hormonas femeninas fuertes que lo transformaron en una persona diferente. Su vello facial dejó de crecer. En su lugar, creció pechos. Como parte de su “transición social” comenzó a usar vestidos, pelucas, tacones y maquillaje en público. Tendrá que permanecer con hormonas femeninas hasta el día en que muera. Se niega a responder a su antiguo nombre, Josh. Dice que Josh está muerto. Incluso hubo algún tipo de “ceremonia de entierro” simbólica para despedirse de Josh de una vez por todas.
La mejor manera de describir lo que sucede cuando un ser querido decide intercambiar géneros es la siguiente: es como si alguien asesina a tu ser querido, y entonces el asesino se enoja mucho si no dejas que tomen el lugar de la víctima en tu familia.
Y si realmente creemos que apoyar a la gente en su camino hacia su “verdadero yo” es mejor, ¿cómo crees que nuestra sociedad se verá como una década a partir de ahora?
Bueno, el número de “otros parientes” (personas que se identifican como mitad humanas, mitad de otras especies) está creciendo. Un hombre llamado John que se identifica como un zorro ahora está solicitando derechos legales especiales que se adaptarán a sus necesidades como animal. Sorprendentemente (o tal vez no tan sorprendentemente), un porcentaje significativo de “otros parientes” también identifican como. Por lo tanto, el argumento se hace fácilmente de que, si usted apoya los derechos de las personas transgéneras, usted tiene que apoyar otros derechos de la familia. Después de todo, ¿quiénes somos nosotros para decir cuál es el verdadero yo de alguien? Y al igual que los individuos transgéneros, muchos otros parientes ahora están teniendo cirugía para parecerse cada vez más al animal o entidad con el que se identifican.
Si usted puede cambiar legalmente el sexo biológico en su licencia de conducir, lógica dice que se le debe permitir cambiar legalmente cualquier otro rasgo que te gusta porque USTED y usted solo conocen su verdadera identidad. Así es como terminamos con Martina Big y Michael Eurwen de Alemania. La pareja ha sido sometida a muchas rondas de inyecciones de Melanotan, una hormona sintética que hace que la piel sea más oscura. ¿por qué? Porque, aunque la realidad nos diría que ambos son caucásicos, se identifican personalmente como africanos.
Si Google Martina Big, te darás cuenta de que no parece estar bien. Aparte de los intentos de Martina de volverse negra, también ha tenido 23 implantes mamarios (ahora tiene una talla 32 S). ¿Debería la gente seguir con los delirios de Martina porque sólo ella puede conocer su verdadero yo? ¿O la gente debería tratar de conseguirle a Martina la ayuda de salud mental que obviamente necesita? Hago la misma pregunta a los del círculo de amigos de mi hermano.
Aprovechando el transgénero
En lugar de ayudarlo a obtener ayuda real, la gente continúa “apoyándolo” a medida que se adentra en su delirio. Esto incluye a muchos terapeutas bien intencionados. Pero ¿por qué un terapeuta le diría a un hombre que ha tenido una historia de travestismo que lleve esa compulsión a su extremo más lejano transformando su cuerpo en el de una mujer? Porque hay mucho dinero conduciendo medicinas trans.
Después de que la investigación médica trans concluyó en Europa a principios de la década de 2000, los médicos de esas clínicas se inundaron en los Estados Unidos sabiendo que podían hacer una matanza financiera vendiendo un nuevo “tratamiento” para el problema psiquiátrico de la disforia de género. (Si no has estudiado la historia de la medicina trans, Google Paul McHugh, el médico de Johns Hopkins que estuvo a cargo del primer programa de cirugía de reasignación de sexo en los Estados Unidos.)
Una vez que estudies la historia de la medicina trans, descubrirás que cualquier disidente de la práctica fue silenciado sistemáticamente. Esto incluye a respetados profesores y médicos de la Ivy League como McHugh, quienes dijeron que ir de la manera de un paciente era mucho más dañino que útil. Lo que comenzó como dos clínicas (una en cualquiera de las costas) que recomendó a las personas con disforia de género avanzar más en sus fantasías tomando hormonas entre sexos ahora se ha expandido a 50 clínicas en los EE.UU., todos los cuales están cobrando pagos masivos de seguros.
(Esté atento a nuestro número de marzo para leer la Parte 2 de este artículo.)
*El autor de este verdadero relato, una esposa y una madre, desea permanecer en el anonimato. Se han cambiado los nombres de esta cuenta.
Spirit and Truth Church began as a dream amidst the stormy backdrop of January 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the challenges that the world faced, we found ourselves thriving, anchored by the belief that God’s plans always prevail. As we say on our website, we are passionate about helping people “find freedom in the fullness” of both the Spirit and the Word. This foundational vision has carried us through times of uncertainty and propelled us forward.
Yet, for all our successes, we reached a point where we felt like we were on an island—thriving, yes, but lacking the covering, coaching, counsel, and care that every church needs to flourish long term. In 2022, at the first MOVEMENT conference, God spoke directly to my heart, telling me that Spirit and Truth Church was meant to be part of the Open Bible Church family. This call was a turning point for our ministry. In 2023, I was credentialed through Open Bible Churches, and in February of this year (2024), we became officially affiliated with Open Bible Churches’ Mountain Plains region. Since then, the blessings have been immense.
For all our successes, we reached a point where we felt like we were on an island.
Being part of Open Bible has been transformative for us. We have received so much investment, training, and support. Open Bible has helped us shore up essential aspects of our ministry: leadership, organization, staffing, budget, facilities, and more. Our growth has been remarkable—we’ve doubled in size, growing from 60 to 120 regular attendees in the past year. This growth, I believe, is a testament to both the godly covering of Open Bible and the Spirit-led outreaches we engage in. Our church has a culture of lifestyle evangelism and hospitality where all our members are witnesses and welcomers. In addition, we have forged strategic partnerships with other ministries.
One of the most exciting partnerships we have is with Every Heart Tours, a ministry led by fiery, Jesus-loving college students from Michigan. These students come to stay with us for a week at a time, engaging in outdoor worship outreaches and “prophetic treasure hunts.” If you’re unfamiliar with this term, a prophetic treasure hunt is an evangelistic practice where participants ask the Holy Spirit to reveal specific details about people they will meet, and then they go into the community to find these “treasures.” It’s a beautiful, Spirit-led adventure allowing us to partner with God and minister to people in our city in a unique way. We’ve seen so many lives touched and transformed through these treasure hunts.
What started as a small church plant in Northern Colorado has since grown into a vibrant community reflecting the heart of God for His people.
One of the most powerful testimonies from these outreaches happened this summer (2024). We had a team of prophetic ministers giving specific words to people as we worshipped in Fort Collins Old Town square. We preached the gospel boldly, and by the end of the night eleven people made the decision to be baptized! We walked down to the Poudre River and witnessed the supernatural power of God as they went under the water and came up renewed. It was a moment that felt like the early church, where “the Lord added to their number daily” (Acts 2:47 NIV).
Of course, ministry isn’t always easy. We’ve faced rejection and opposition. But we hold firm to the truth of Romans 1:16: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.” The harvest is plentiful, and we’ve seen this reality unfold before our eyes. As we continue to partner with ministries, step out in faith, and preach the gospel, we trust that God will continue to bring more people into His kingdom.
Our journey with Open Bible has been a testimony to God’s faithfulness. What started as a small church plant in Northern Colorado has since grown into a vibrant community reflecting the heart of God for His people. We remain committed to spreading the good news and making sure outreach and evangelism are at the heart of our ministry. The harvest is ready, Open Bible fam – let’s go bring it in!
About the Author
Rob Bray
Rob Bray is a marketplace and ministry leader with over a decade of experience in both business and church contexts. He is the founder and lead pastor of Spirit + Truth Church, an Open Bible Church in the Mountain Plains Region. Rob has catalyzed successful companies, grown healthy ministries, and spoken at influential conferences, workshops, and events. Rob’s expertise and passion have made him a trusted advisor and coach for leaders and entrepreneurs seeking breakthroughs in multiple areas including life, marriage, and business. Rob and his wife Bethany live on their homestead in Fort Collins, CO, with their six children: Nehemiah, Nora, Noelle, Neely, Nayla, and Nicholas. In their spare time, they enjoy hiking, paddle boarding, and snowboarding.
As we approach another election season, we find ourselves once again in an environment bringing tension, division, and uncertainty to people, including those within the Church. It is during times like this, however, that we as the Church can shine brightly. In the face of debates, advertisements, and news that may stir anxiety, we have a divine opportunity to anchor people to the unchanging hope of Christ.
The apostle Paul instructs us that “our citizenship is in heaven” (Phil. 3:20 NIV), and as followers of Christ, our ultimate allegiance is to God and His kingdom. While politics does have its importance and influence, it is reassuring to know our hope is not based upon human leaders or systems but in the Lord who reigns over all.
In the face of debates, advertisements, and news that may stir anxiety, we have a divine opportunity to anchor people to the unchanging hope of Christ.
There is no question that, as followers of Christ, we should engage in our civic duties with a kingdom-minded perspective and a biblical worldview. We vote, we pray for our leaders, we seek the welfare of our communities (Jer. 29:7), and we engage others with love. And as we do all of this, we hold to the truth that God’s sovereignty transcends the outcomes of elections.
In times that seem unstable or fragile, God’s Word tells us “we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken” (Heb.12:28). We serve an “unshakable kingdom.” Governments change, leaders come and go, and through it all, God’s kingdom remains. It is unshakable, eternal, and built upon His righteousness and justice. No election can alter the reality of God’s sovereignty nor shake the foundation of His authority. It is His church that holds the keys to unlock heaven on earth and bring light to the darkness.
Here is the reality we stand upon: It is God who “controls the course of world events; He removes kings and sets up other kings” (Dan. 2:21 NLT), and “the king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord” (Prov. 21:1 KJV).
Because of this truth, we can embrace Paul’s word to the Philippians: “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:6-7 NLT). Based on this passage, if we are a people of prayer who walk in faith, seek God’s wisdom, and are grateful, THEN we know we will experience a peace that goes beyond natural understanding. I am reminded, comforted, and convinced of this truth, and it is an anchor to my soul.
No election can alter the reality of God’s sovereignty nor shake the foundation of His authority.
This November’s election will be followed in December by the celebration of Christ’s birth. What a perfect time to remember that Jesus is Emmanuel – God with us. This name, given to Jesus, is more than just a title; it is a promise that no matter what happens around us, God’s presence is constant and unchanging.
Whether the outcome of the election brings joy or disappointment, whether policies align with your hopes or create concerns, remember Emmanuel – God is with us. He is present in our churches, in our communities, in our families, and in our lives. He is not distant or disconnected; He is personally and actively involved in the lives of His people. Whoever is elected and however people respond – God still sits on the throne, His Kingdom is unshakable, and His plans are unstoppable. GOD IS WITH US.
Some practical steps for consideration:
- Pray for our leaders, regardless of who they are: Pray for their wisdom, discernment, and a spirit of humility.
- Stay united as the body of Christ: Let a heart of unity, love, and the bond of peace be what others see.
- Keep an eternal perspective: Engage in the political process, but keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.
- Live out the things that will remain: faith, hope and love.
About the Author
Michael Nortune
Michael Nortune serves as president of Open Bible Churches. He has ministered in the local church faithfully for 35 years. From his start as a janitor and groundskeeper to lead pastor of Life Church in Concord, California, Michael has had the opportunity to gain experience in every capacity within the church throughout his ministry. Not only does he have hands-on experience on the local level, but Michael has also led at the district, regional, and national levels within Open Bible Churches. Michael and his wife Julie currently reside in Colorado and love living near five of their six children and their spouses. They also treasure the time they spend with their other daughter who lives in Alabama with their first (but not the last) grandson!
Church planting isn’t for the faint of heart. All church plants require faith, but it takes a special kind of crazy to “parachute plant,” where church planters “parachute” into a new place, starting from nothing with few resources or contacts. After seven years of pouring our hearts and souls into CityLife Church, a parachute church plant in Wilmington, North Carolina, my husband Mike and I were pretty certain God was calling us to do something different. We genuinely believed God was calling us into missions. In hindsight, I guess He was – just not in the way we pictured it.
This time, our “yes” led us into what was at that time the murder capital of America.
Neither one of us had a desire to plant another church, but the thought of doing something new was exciting to us. So, towards the end of our tenure at CityLife, we let the stirring of something new brew within us even though we had no idea what was coming.
During this season, a couple of things happened that God used to speak to our hearts. The Vanartsdalens, close friends of ours at CityLife, came to us with the news that they were moving to help plant another church within Open Bible (read more about their story HERE). As we celebrated what God was doing with our friends, it reignited a feeling within us that we had forgotten. (Never underestimate how your “yes” might affect someone else’s!) That feeling was the excitement and spiritual rush that comes with church planting. Neither Mike nor I expected to feel this again, and we were surprised to find the desire in our hearts to plant another church.
Everything changed after a conversation with our Open Bible Regional Director, Nathan Hagan. When we shared our initial desire with him, he began to brainstorm some different options for us to consider. One idea jumped out to both of us: “If you guys were interested in planting another church in the region, maybe it could be someplace like New Orleans.” Nathan mentioned other places, but the only one we remembered is the one that stuck to our hearts like glue. New Orleans: the word was spoken, and the Spirit responded!
Mike and I decided early on in our marriage that whatever God called us to do, we would say yes. This time, our “yes” led us into what was at that time the murder capital of America: New Orleans, Louisiana. It is extremely hard to uproot your family and your life and move hundreds of miles away to a place where there are no family, friends, or security. Despite these challenges, we sold many of our possessions, took what we could in a truck and trailer, and headed off into the unknown!
As soon as we put boots on the ground, we quickly realized that this city, this plant, and this call would be different from anything we had ever done. Almost immediately after moving, we were met with a triple homicide four houses down from ours, I was violently robbed at gunpoint, and our kids had a gun pulled on them while playing outside in our neighborhood. We faced circumstances that most people assumed we would run from, but when you know the Lord has called you to a land, you must trust that He will protect and prosper you in that land. Suffering is part of the calling; if we aren’t willing to suffer for the calling, we won’t partake of its full blessing. “But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed” (1 Peter 4:13).
To rewind just a bit, when we knew for sure that we were moving, Mike sat our kids down and had them help compile a dream/prayer list of people we’d love to have on our team. Some on the list were Spirit-led, some were hopefuls, but all of them were people we thought might be crazy enough to consider moving with us!
Back before we’d moved to North Carolina for our first church plant, we had told our friends Greg and Tina that we felt they were supposed to come with us. I think Greg laughed at Mike when we first shared this, but they are now the pastors at CityLife! In similar fashion, we had another friend couple in Ohio that we video chatted with as we prepared to plant in New Orleans. We shared the news of where we were moving then asked them to pray about joining us. They agreed to pray, but I’m certain they thought we were crazy!
We faced circumstances that most people assumed we would run from, but when you know the Lord has called you to a land, you must trust that He will protect and prosper you in that land.
It’s amazing to see how God works in lives, stirring people’s hearts to be part of things that take an incredible amount of faith. Here we are two years later, and Pastor Eric and Lindsay Baker are in New Orleans with us putting their hands to the plow! They moved from a one-light farm town to one of the wildest cities in the world. They and their seven kids gave their “yes” to the Lord, leaving everything they had ever known. They have had their car stolen twice, and yet here they remain. In addition to the Bakers, God sent us another person from our dream list without us even having to ask; Mike’s mom, Lynne, joined the team and lives right next door to us now!
Fast forward to present day: we are so excited to see what God is doing at OHR City Church! “Ohr” is the Hebrew word for “light,” and it also means “to bring order amid chaos” (so fitting for this city!). Almost nothing has gone how we thought it would here, yet we believe everything is going exactly how God designed it.
We are currently meeting every Sunday night in our house where we eat, worship, dream, pray, and study the word of God together. While the adults meet in our house, the kids go to Momma Lynne’s house next door! Our team is growing, and we are all becoming a family. None of us knows exactly where the Lord is taking us yet, but everyone is on board to find out!
If you feel God calling you to something, I encourage you to step out in faith and give God your “yes”!
*Want to read more from Mike and Cala Dickey? Read their related article: Five Ways to Support Church Planting
About the Author
Cala Dickey
Mike and Cala Dickey are the lead pastors at the Southeast Region of Open Bible’s newest church plant, OHR City Church, in New Orleans, Louisiana. Before heading down to the bayou, Mike and Cala planted CityLife Church in Wilmington, North Carolina. They are passionate about pioneering and planting churches in areas that desperately need Jesus. The Dickey family is excited for what God is doing through OHR City Church in New Orleans! To learn more, visit Ohrcc.com.
