David’s Soul is an animation I made in the later half of 2022. It follows a female from childhood to adulthood where she, in the course of her life, decides to take surgical and lifestyle changes to appear male. Rather than create the animation with pre-determined themes, this was the result of things I’ve been wondering about, and doing research on so I can learn / understand them better. Some of these thoughts I chronicle in this animation are the Biological basics, Folau’s fervency, She-shepherds, and the Trans tragedy.
Biological Basics
Transgender ideology is a loose term that captures the idea that people have ‘gender identity’ that is (or can be) different from their biological sex. This means that a woman can have her gender identity as male but be biologically female. To match her gender identity, she can decide to take surgical and lifestyle changes to appear male. This is known as transitioning. The belief behind transitioning is that a woman really can become a man, and a man a woman. Those who believe this idea explain that a woman who decides to transition to appear as a man was never really a woman, but really a man “born/trapped in a woman’s body”. Therefore, the changes she undergoes are only righting a wrong. They are remedial.
I don’t agree with this idea at all. I believe the Bible is clear when it says God created human beings as either male or female. Regarding the distinction between gender identity and biological sex, I don’t believe such a distinction exists. This is because the Bible always addresses males as boys/men/fathers/kings, and females as girls/women/mothers/queens, and that pattern and precedent is what I believe reflects God’s good and perfect design. Regarding (gender) identity, I believe that all people are created by God, and that we all ought to find our identity in Him, not elsewhere. He Himself has invited us to “Taste and see that the Lord is good“.
Folau’s Fervency
Another thought that inspired this animation was Israel Folau. He is an Australian professional rugby union player. Most notably, his contract was terminated by Rugby Australia in 2019 because he had shared on social media that, among others, those who practice homosexuality will not inherit the kingdom of God, but rather are doomed to hell for eternity. What he shared was straight out of one of the letters Paul wrote to the Corinthian church. With such an amazing track record of professional rugby playing (including having the most tries scored in Super Rugby history, 2019), I was sad to see that the Sports body had put him out of work because he expressed his beliefs publicly. This was around the same time I had watched Dr David Mackereth as he shared updates from court. Why was a Doctor with 26 years of loyal professional practice in court? Because he had declined to use transgender pronouns as part of his work, and had subsequently been sacked.
I agree with both Mr. Folau and Dr. Mackereth’s opinions. This is because these are not their wise opinions, but the truth of God as captured in the Bible. Around that same time, I had stumbled upon some videos of men and women in sports. They had some clear results that brought to light the large difference in biological development and composition of males and females, especially after puberty. In my opinion, this further testifies of the truth that the Bible teaches, that only men and women exist, and that one cannot become or ‘transition’ into another.
She-Shepherds
The issue of women preachers has not been an issue up until in recent history, when women were vying for ‘the same rights’ as men. However, by rights, they meant roles. Growing up, I did see a number of women preachers on TBN and even in the Anglican church in which I was raised. It seemed ‘fine’ to me. Later on, I sat under the preaching and teaching authority of many a woman on Sunday morning. It was only after I became a Christian that I had the chance to hear from God about the matter.
Recently, I moved to a new place and had found a wonderful small, loving church to fellowship with. A few Sundays in, the pastor invited that Sunday’s preacher and it was his wife. I left the service and hosted the pastor and two other gentlemen the next Sunday, to talk about why I had left the service the previous Sunday. They shared with me that men and women had equal standing in the eyes of the Lord, and the Spirit gave gifts to both, regardless of gender.
I agreed. I also added that while God created male and female equal, He created each with their distinct role to play as Paul explains in the book of Ephesians. Both roles are to bring glory to God in their unique ways. I would compare this to richer music coming from combining different instruments rather than two of the same instrument. Commanding women not to preach or have authority over a man did not demean the women, it only made clear the areas where both men and women were expected and encouraged to serve God in the church on Sunday. We disagreed on that (and tongues) so I am currently searching for a new church.
As a side note, I disagree with the way Mr. Gray uses the scriptures about David & Saul. I believe the Bible is teaching about God saving Israel in the face of enemies too powerful to defeat. Relating it to the coming of Christ, it is an excellent picture of how Christ defeated sin, our enemy that we could never have defeated.
Trans tragedy
One of the most heart-breaking parts of the research was when I looked into what actually happened during a surgical transition. Some people choose not to have what is called gender-affirming surgery. Those who choose to have surgery can either work on their upper body (top surgery), lower body (bottom surgery), or both.
For females, ‘top surgery’ involves cutting off healthy breasts, as well as reshaping and repositioning the nipples to look ‘normal’, like a man’s would. This procedure is not reversible, so if she decides she wants her breasts back, she would have to opt for implants at best.
As if this is not pain enough, there is bottom surgery that involves two more phases. The first phase, which is optional, is surgically removing her perfectly healthy uterus and ovaries. After this, she can never bear children anymore. The second step is cutting meat off her forearm or bum, shaping it into a phallus, and surgically attaching it to her groin. It hurts just to type these words. I can’t imagine what she actually goes through.
Other surgical augmentations available are facial reconstruction, a fake Adam’s apple, and similar cosmetic surgeries.
Assuming she doesn’t opt for any surgeries and can hide her breasts with clever clothing, there are male hormones (Testosterone) that are prescribed to her to help her appearance have more masculine features. She gets beards, chest hair, and the most-craved deep(er) masculine voice. While taking Testosterone is as easy as getting an injection, smearing a lotion, or wearing a fake tattoo, she will not never be able to reverse its effects on her body.
My biggest disagreement with the trans idea is that changing appearance does not make us better humans. It does not wash away the childhood trauma, the awkwardness of developing bodies, the rejection from romantic interests, and most importantly the guilt of our own sin. Only Jesus Christ offers us the way out of all these sins of others, and of our own. Only Jesus Christ asks us to come as the wretched, as the worthless, and cry at his feet for salvation. Only Jesus Christ can give that salvation, that freedom from the bondage of sin. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened…” He beckons to us, “…and I will give you rest.“
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