Thank you so much for this! As a trans Christian I've really been struggling with what to think of the body; a low view felt wrong because I really do care, but a high view felt wrong because I have so many problems with it. I know why they do it but it's a pet peeve of mine whenever people are defending trans people they basically treat gender as pointless and I'm really glad you didn't do that. The idea that sex passes away and the identity remains is honestly one of the most beautiful things I've heard; trying not to cry in the middle of a data structures class I'm ignoring to read this
But do we minimize the Incarnation by minimizing maleness and femaleness. Does not our flesh also inform part of who we are? Or are our bodies merely temporary vehicles that we abandon when we get to where we are going? or is their an essential tie to our enfleshed existence?
Not minimizing the Incarnation at all. Our flesh absolutely informs who we are, but as it is it needs redeeming and Maximus is saying the male female division is one of the things being redeemed. Certainly we would not say that someone born with a congenital heart defect being healed is minimizing the incarnation.
Colten, thank you for this. I listened to it as I drove home from church. I wrote that dissertation almost twenty years ago now, and particularly in this moment it's incredibly heartening to discover that it's being read in a way that can meet this moment. Peace and appreciation to you.
Thanks Colten. Totally agree on your logic here. I was thinking of writing a similar piece, although not couched in the church "fathers" but in scripture itself. I think there's a lot of scope to do that (and I may still). Thanks again for this important piece. We need to combat oppression of trans people, and using a Christian framework is essential (given that much oppression is done by people who perceive themselves as Christian).
Thank you so much for this! As a trans Christian I've really been struggling with what to think of the body; a low view felt wrong because I really do care, but a high view felt wrong because I have so many problems with it. I know why they do it but it's a pet peeve of mine whenever people are defending trans people they basically treat gender as pointless and I'm really glad you didn't do that. The idea that sex passes away and the identity remains is honestly one of the most beautiful things I've heard; trying not to cry in the middle of a data structures class I'm ignoring to read this
Im trying not to cry reading your comment!!! Thank you for reading and sharing your reflection. <3
Love this Colten
Thank you, brother!
very thought provoking.
But do we minimize the Incarnation by minimizing maleness and femaleness. Does not our flesh also inform part of who we are? Or are our bodies merely temporary vehicles that we abandon when we get to where we are going? or is their an essential tie to our enfleshed existence?
Not minimizing the Incarnation at all. Our flesh absolutely informs who we are, but as it is it needs redeeming and Maximus is saying the male female division is one of the things being redeemed. Certainly we would not say that someone born with a congenital heart defect being healed is minimizing the incarnation.
Thank you for this. Well argued and much appreciated.
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Hey Colten, I just read this and wanted to say that although I deeply disagree, it was very well written, thought through and argued.
It is great to see a really solid argument made from this perspective.
Absolute wisdom
Colten, thank you for this. I listened to it as I drove home from church. I wrote that dissertation almost twenty years ago now, and particularly in this moment it's incredibly heartening to discover that it's being read in a way that can meet this moment. Peace and appreciation to you.
Thanks Colten. Totally agree on your logic here. I was thinking of writing a similar piece, although not couched in the church "fathers" but in scripture itself. I think there's a lot of scope to do that (and I may still). Thanks again for this important piece. We need to combat oppression of trans people, and using a Christian framework is essential (given that much oppression is done by people who perceive themselves as Christian).