A new era of acceptance for sexual relativism was inaugurated this week with the announcement of Vanity Fair’s upcoming issue, which will feature a cover story showcasing former Olympian Bruce Jenner’s official reveal as a “woman.”
Transgenderism—like egalitarianism—is ostensibly an emancipation from oppressive traditionalist categories. But it’s actually parasitically reliant upon traditional sexual conventions. Those who attempt to change sexes still feel the need to look and act masculine or feminine. Bruce Jenner’s transformation was not just a change of mind, it involved cosmetic surgery and hormone therapy. He also changed his name to something feminine (“Caitlyn”). Transgender rhetoric may be progressive, but its optics are confusingly traditional.
Witness the new Vanity Fair cover photo: Jenner is presented essentially as a supermodel. The wardrobe (or lack thereof) and composition intentionally accentuate the feminine characteristics Jenner is trying to assume. He is depicted as demure, voluptuous, even seductive (and thus objectified, take note). While this is the antithesis of manhood, it’s also the antithesis of androgyny or the rugged feminism of the modern age. Traditional ideals of beauty and sexuality are in the background here, albeit in twisted form. And far from being seen as objectionable, all this is deemed “heroic” and praiseworthy in the media.
The shape of Jenner’s “identity transformation” is an ironic revelation that human sexuality involves biological, aesthetic, and other natural givens that can’t be eradicated, even by those engaging in self-destructive revolt against divinely-created order. Though we may try to rebel against our Creator and fashion our own reality, we cannot transcend our created nature. We cannot escape living in God’s world and functioning according to the categories He has established.
It is jut an extension of the kardashian events that Americans seem to enjoy, are you helping people overcome that addiction too?
A follow-up I’d like to append: This whole thing seems like a publicity stunt, and it’s undeniable that Jenner has not been shy in promoting and drawing attention to himself. However, if you read the excerpt from the Vanity Fair interview with Jenner, you will see that his motivations seem to go beyond the sensational, aesthetic, or erotic. He believes remaking his identity will give him a sort of new start on life—healing and rebirth. He’s had three divorces, and one of his kids says they hope “Caitlyn” is a better person than Bruce was. Jenner is going down the path of destruction, not redemption, but he and others in similar situations need to know that cleansing and renewal are promised in Jesus Christ—He grants a gracious “new start” to those laden with guilt and sin, to those who will turn to Him in repentance. That is what Jenner truly needs, not a process of self-atonement via external change that is ineffectual to address his deep brokenness and will ultimately leave him empty.
Well said Josh! Unfortunately most unregenerated will fail to grasp the real issues or THE Solution.
I agree with Kevin–well said! May Jenner find real healing and a new life in Jesus Christ. Compassion calls us to seek the eternal well-being of ourselves and others, to offer the truth with love. Obviously, Jenner has not been happy, but was his maleness the cause of his unhappiness? Sin and confusion cause unhappiness and disillusionment.
Our job is not to condemn, but to pray.