What Does God Think?: Summary Review

What happens when deeply held faith collides with the lived reality of gender? In What Does God Think? Transgender People and The Bible, Cheryl B. Evans takes us on a journey to answer that very question, exploring what the scriptures actually say about transgender people and why there is such tension among Christians. This book matters because it doesn’t just ask if faith and affirmation can coexist—it shows how they already do in many lives.

What is the Book About?

Cheryl B. Evans was confronted with the idea, from others in her faith community, that her transgender child was somehow “not of God.” That painful judgment led her to explore what the Bible really teaches about gender identity, who we are in body and spirit, and how belief, culture and science shape our understanding. In What Does God Think? she invites readers to examine scripture with fresh eyes, especially passages that often get used to exclude rather than embrace, and considers scientific and cultural insights that complicate black-and-white beliefs.

As Evans walks through topics such as the nature versus nurture debate, religious convictions, cultural pressure, and personal stories, she aims to build a bridge of understanding. She doesn’t aim to provide all the definitive answers, but she asks the hard questions: What does “truth” look like in this space? What kind of faith requires humility rather than certainty? And what might it mean to live in love instead of judgment?

Book Details

Print length: 186 pages
Language: English
Publication date: September 10, 2017
Genre: Nonfiction, Christian / Religion / LGBT Studies

Book Author

Core Theme

At its heart, What Does God Think? centers on the theme that identity, love, and faith are not mutually exclusive. Evans argues that many Christians live with a tension: wanting to be faithful to their interpretation of Scripture, while also wanting to be loving and accepting. She explores how culture, scientific discoveries about gender, and personal experiences of transgender people challenge simplistic or binary notions of what it means to be male, female, or somewhere else along the spectrum. She asserts that the Christian tradition has resources—biblical, spiritual, relational—that can affirm transgender persons without denying the convictions of faith.

Another major argument is about humility and the dangers of rigid judgment. Evans shows through both biblical case studies (for example passages about eunuchs) and narratives of transgender people that some traditional interpretations are more influenced by culture than by deep theological reflection. She encourages readers to resist fear, to question “received wisdom,” and to lean into empathy. The message she pushes is that God’s love is expansive, and true faith should recognize the dignity of every person, even when we wrestle with uncertainty.

Main Lessons

A few impactful summary lessons from What does God Think?:

1. Gender identity exists beyond binary boundaries

One of the central lessons drawn from the book is the recognition that gender cannot be confined to a simple binary system of male and female. Society often insists on reinforcing rigid categories, yet human experience proves far more diverse. By highlighting gender as a continuum rather than a fixed dichotomy, the book challenges the deep-seated stereotypes that confine individuals. This perspective allows space for transgender and gender non-conforming people to be seen as whole and authentic, rather than as deviations from a norm that was never universal to begin with.

2. Unconditional love is stronger than human prejudice

The book makes clear that God’s love is not bound by human fear, bias, or tradition. Too often, religious voices have fueled shame and rejection, leaving transgender individuals feeling alienated from both faith and community. Cheryl B. Evans emphasizes that divine love embraces all, regardless of identity, and that this love must not be overshadowed by cultural prejudice. The core message is that human judgment has no power to nullify the sacred worth and dignity of transgender people, whose lives are just as deeply cherished by God.

3. Faith and identity should not be in conflict

A recurring struggle addressed in the book is the tension transgender individuals and their families feel between their faith and their lived identity. Some are told that they must choose between loving God and living authentically, but Evans dismantles this false choice. Through careful interpretation of scripture and discussion of passages such as those concerning eunuchs, she reveals that the Bible contains precedents for inclusion and compassion. This lesson reminds believers that authentic faith should never demand the rejection of one’s true self.

4. Misunderstanding breeds harm but understanding heals

Confusion between the terms sex and gender, or the conflation of transgender identity with homosexuality, has fueled widespread misconceptions. The book clarifies these distinctions, showing that gender identity refers to one’s internal sense of self, whereas sexual orientation deals with attraction. Misunderstandings, when left unchecked, perpetuate stigma and violence. Education, compassion, and dialogue can undo these harms, fostering an environment where transgender people are not merely tolerated but genuinely valued and understood.

5. Scripture must be read with compassion and openness

The text points out that biblical passages often cited to oppose transgender identities require deeper and more nuanced reading. For instance, Genesis is frequently interpreted as affirming rigid male and female categories, yet creation itself reveals a spectrum: dawn and dusk exist between night and day, estuaries lie between land and sea, and countless creatures defy simple categorization. Similarly, humanity too reflects a diversity that cannot be contained within strict binaries. Recognizing this truth allows Christians to embrace scripture as a story of love and complexity rather than as a weapon for exclusion.

6. Exclusion contradicts the example of Jesus

By exploring biblical scholarship, the book reveals that teachings rooted in strict gender complementarity have historically caused harm and perpetuated inequality. Evans invites readers to shift focus from rigid gender roles toward the inclusive example of Jesus, who welcomed those marginalized by society. This lesson reinforces that authentic Christian practice is not about policing identity but about practicing radical compassion, welcoming diversity, and ensuring that no one is denied dignity or belonging.

7. Affirmation transforms lives and communities

One of the most powerful insights is that when transgender individuals are affirmed in their identity, their mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being improves dramatically. Affirmation does not only benefit individuals but enriches families, faith communities, and society at large. Rejecting someone’s existence is a deeper sin than their identity could ever be, and love has the power to restore what prejudice has broken. The book teaches that affirmation is not optional—it is the very expression of God’s call to love our neighbors as ourselves.

8. Diversity in creation reflects divine intention

The final lesson highlights that diversity has always been woven into the fabric of creation. From the variety of species to the uniqueness of each human life, God’s world resists simple categorization. Transgender and non-binary people are part of this divine tapestry, representing another expression of God’s creativity. Just as no one condemns a platypus for not fitting neatly into categories, no one should condemn people whose identities transcend binary boxes. Embracing this truth affirms that difference is not a defect but a reflection of divine beauty.

Key Takeaways

Key summary takeaways from the book:

• Being transgender is often misunderstood through a mix of religious tradition, cultural norms, and limited scientific knowledge—Evans calls us to untangle those threads.
• The Bible has examples and passages (such as stories of eunuchs) that complicate rigid gender binaries and provide room for broader understandings of identity.
• Faith need not demand conformity; a faithful Christian life can include questioning, compassion, and acceptance rather than condemnation.
• Cultural influences (inside and outside the church) play a strong role in shaping beliefs about gender—recognizing that helps to open space for change.
• Empathy, humility, and the posture of listening are essential—especially for those in faith communities navigating relationships with transgender people.

Book Strengths

One of the things this book does exceptionally well is balance: Evans navigates Scripture, science, and personal stories without sounding preachy or detached. Her writing feels warm and conversational, but also well researched, giving readers both theological reflection and practical insight. Her courage in putting her own narrative at the center—of discovering what God thinks through her experience as a parent—lends authenticity. Many readers appreciate how she doesn’t simplify the issues, yet still offers hope and a path for understanding.

Who This Book Is For

This book will resonate most with Christians (and others) who are wrestling with the question of how to reconcile their faith with transgender inclusion—parents, church leaders, LGBTQ+ persons of faith, and anyone curious about what Scripture does or does not say. It’s especially valuable for those who want to move beyond arguments to a more compassionate mindset, but also for skeptics who may be open to seeing faith from a new perspective.

Why Should You Read This Book?

You should read What Does God Think? if you’ve ever felt stuck between belief and empathy, or if you’ve seen how judgment hurts more than it helps. Evans offers not just arguments or proof texts, but a way of seeing transgender people as fully human, fully loved, and fully able to exist within Christian faith. Reading this book can broaden your understanding, soften hardened assumptions, and inspire conversations rooted in care rather than division.

Concluding Thoughts.

Evans’ What Does God Think? Transgender People and The Bible isn’t just another faith book—it’s a heartfelt invitation. It challenges readers to step beyond fear and misunderstanding, to engage both Scripture and science, but also to allow their hearts to grow in compassion. The journey may feel uncomfortable at points, but it is ultimately one that opens doorways to acceptance, healing, and deeper faith.

→ Get the book on Amazon or discover more via the author’s website.

* The publisher and editor of this summary review made every effort to maintain information accuracy, including any published quotes, lessons, takeaways, or summary notes.

Chief Editor

Tal Gur is an impact-driven creator at heart. After trading his daily grind for a life of his own design, he spent a decade pursuing 100 life goals around the globe. Tal's journey and recent book, The Art of Fully Living, inspired him to found Elevate Society.