It’s easy to be overwhelmed by the hyper-sexualization of our society. Often, we see what is happening as new when in actuality it is just re-packaged. Modern-day transgenderism and gender theory are actually ancient Gnosticism just wearing a new shirt.

The hope we have is that Jesus used His church of the first century to rescue lost people out of the folly of these ideas. If we are willing to do what they did we can see what they saw.

In this episode, we are highlighting a message Bryan preached at a recent MFI Canada Conference.

He covers:

-The template of Satan’s strategy found in the garden of Eden

-The re-occurring cycle of God’s judgment towards idolatry.

-The hope of the Gospel to bring people out of brokenness into wholeness.

Government and media have become two of the greatest influencers over culture, and they seem to be pushing a strong message of moral relativism. As followers of Christ, will we let our lives be formed by Scripture and pass our values on to our children? Or will we throw up our hands and give in to ideologies that seek to blur all lines of gender design?

In this podcast episode we talk about:

⁃ How we must always remember that these struggles are not actually against fellow humans, but against spiritual enemies and strategies

⁃ How the church can become a place that celebrates the unique nature of being male and female, understanding not just biological differences, but also physiological differences

⁃ How parents can teach their children a biblical view on gender, while also encouraging compassionate interactions with kids who identify as non-binary

⁃ Practical ways that parents can support their children’s God-given gender design

Download The “Five Ways To Support Your Childs God-Given Gender Identity” Infographic

If you are a Christ-follower, wondering how to raise gender-confident kids - this conversation will be a good place to start. You can find and follow The Union Podcast over on Apple, Spotify, and Google Play.

While you’re at it, if you find this content helpful, would you:

⁃ Send the episode to a friend who you think would appreciate it?

⁃ Write us a quick review in your favourite podcast app? (It helps more people find our content)

⁃ Leave us a comment below and tell us what stood out to you? (It means a lot to us to get to connect with listeners!)

What happens when words that have meant something for thousands of years, now mean something completely different? What happens when they are words like “man” and “woman”? Whats happens when there are criminal charges applied to those who dont think “correctly"? …In many ways, we are about to find out.

In this episode, Bryan sits down with Dr. Iain Provan to discuss the current challenges that face the church regarding gender identity and free speech. Dr. Provan even uses analogies connected to the book, you probably read in high school. 1984 written by George Orwell. The similiarites to our cultural moment are shocking.

Dr. Provan was born and educated in the UK, ultimately completing a PhD at the University of Cambridge. His academic teaching career began in the university world of the UK, prior to his family’s emigration to Canada in 1997. He is the author of many books, essays, and articles, with a particular focus in the last decade on the intersection of Christian Scripture and theology and contemporary culture. He is a Life Member of Clare Hall, Cambridge and the recipient of an Alexander von Humboldt Research Fellowship in Germany. He is also a qualified Provincial B Licence soccer coach and a keen fly fisherman.

For more from Dr. Provan visit-https://iainprovan.ca

In this episode, Bryan & Bonnie continue on in the theme of identity and the complexities of the current discussion around gender.

In this episode we cover:

• Seeing the topic of gender confusion, with a Biblical and historical lens. Seeing that this topic is not really new.

• Recognizing that rigid, cultural stereotypes aren’t placed there by God. There are differences between men and women, and there are unique assignments entrusted to men and women, but there is so much space for individual expression within those assignments.

• Knowing the love of God for the “eunuch” , the one who has had surgical alteration to their body in order to resist their biological gender, and that God has a place of belonging prepared for those who would surrender these decisions to Him.

• For those who are wrestling - God is coming to you. Just like the account of Jacob in the Book of Genesis, God came looking for a lost confused young man who longed to be blessed in who he was.

Many people today feel a huge disconnect from who they are as people and their body. It can feel overwhelming and hopeless. Today we want you to know that there is hope and His name is Jesus.

In this episode, Bryan sits down with Carissa Shockley as she shares her story of how God met her on the road of gender dysphoria and LGBTQ lifestyle , and led her to a place of healing and identity in Him.

Carissa is a songwriter, worship leader, communicator and passionate follower of Jesus, who has a powerful message of hope for all who are caught in the confusion of identity and past shame.

For more from Carissa:

https://www.carissashockley.com/

IG & TikTok: @cls1727

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The landscape around gender and identity has changed significantly in the last 20 years. And with this change, new language has developed to express it. But, it leaves many feel like they are falling behind or that they are at risk of being cancelled if they say something wrong.

If you feel like you’re falling behind, you’re certainly not alone. (And the idea of just doing a broad Google search seems like an exercise in futility.) When I recently picked up the book written by Dr. Mark Yarhouse and Dr. Julia Sadusky, I realized that they had compiled so much of the information we are needing today, while maintaining both a compassionate and logical tone.

We are so glad to be able to bring this conversation with Dr. Sadusky to you today. We talked about:

⁃ Why it is so imperative for church leaders to learn about and approach the topic for the sake of people who are looking for guidance and support

⁃ Some key terms and definitions (like even the difference between gender dysphasia and transgenderism)

⁃ key theories about WHY there has been such a steep incline in the number of young people who are identifying themselves in non-binary terms

⁃ the damaging affect of rigid gender stereotypes that have not originated from God, but from culture

I hope you take the opportunity to learn with us today, for your sake, but also for the sake of growing as a compassionate, truthful witness for Christ in your place to influence.

As you listen, we encourage you to share the episode with anyone that is looking for some answers today on these complex issues.

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Dr. Julia Sadusky is the co-author of “Emerging Gender Identities: Understanding the Diverse Experiences of Today’s Youth” along with Dr. Mark Yarhouse.

Dr. Sadusky is currently a research fellow of the Sexual & Gender Identity Institute in Wheaton, IL. and an advisor to the Center for Faith, Sexuality and Gender. She is a licensed psychologist based in Colorado, where she offers individual, family, couples, and group therapy in addition to consultations for individuals and families around sexuality and gender.

Have you ever felt disconnected from your body?

The truth is you aren’t alone. Many people feel a strong separation between who they are as a person and their body.

In this episode, Bryan sits down to talk with Dr. Gregg Allison to discuss his new book Embodied: Living As Whole People In A Fractured World.

In this conversation we discuss:

-How scripture affirms the belief that we are our bodies.

-What the centuries old worldview of Gnosticism means in relation to our bodies.

-How the message of Embodied and the scriptures speak to the topic of gender.

-How Christians can respond in this conversation, around the notion that there are more than 2 genders.

-How the gospel of Jesus gives hope for those who legitimately struggle with gender dysphoria.

We live in such an interesting yet very confusing time. So much of what the Bible states around morality and identity is viewed as hateful or bigotry. This is the time for us as followers of Christ to be all the more diligent to not just speak the truth but to speak it in love.

In episode 33, Bryan and Bonnie sit down with Carrie Abbott to discuss how you and I can do exactly that. This was an amazing conversation in which Carrie unpacks great insight and wisdom from her years of dealing with difficult subjects with grace and truth.

Carrie and her husband, Greg, live in Washington, US, and are the parents of 5, and grandparents to 10 (and counting).

She is the Co-founder and President of The Legacy Institute which began in 2011. She hosts daily and weekly radio shows, and has authored multiple programs and curriculums that bring Biblical truths about sexual integrity.

You can find out more about her work here- www.carrieabbott.com, & www.thelegacyinstitute.com

Bryan and Bonnie discuss the effect that gender stereotypes have on culture and how we can have a truthful perspective on the beautiful differences between men and women.