"Understanding Gender Dysphoria is a deeply practical and timely book. Many of the variables surrounding the transgender community are nuanced and intense, yet completely unknown to the evangelical world. Mark provides helpful working knowledge of key terms, concepts and relevant issues. And with humility and great care he directly addresses how individual Christians and the broader evangelical church can respond. Although this book is academic in nature, it should be required reading for all church leadership. This is my new go-to book for the Marin Foundation's work with evangelicals on the topic. Mark's research must be paid attention to."
"This new edition of Understanding Gender Dysphoria informs the Christian community about what researchers know and don't know about gender dysphoria. Christians are encouraged to enter this discussion with humility and patience, with ongoing study of both science and Scripture. Mark Yarhouse integrates biblical and theological perspectives with cutting-edge psychology research for the benefit of those experiencing gender dysphoria and those who care for them."
"Understanding Gender Dysphoria is a valuable work for those wishing to engage with transgender issues. It doesn't answer every question that might come up, but it does give readers the tools to come up with their own answers while doing so in a loving and Christian way."
"Mark Yarhouse's Understanding Gender Dysphoria: Navigating Transgender Issues in a Changing Culture is a book that has the potential to change the conversation surrounding transgender, genderqueer and gender non-conforming people and our role in the church. Mark writes from a fairly conservative evangelical perspective, but there is one critical difference between his approach and the approach I usually see from conservative writers: Mark has actually listened to trans people with a view to understanding, and his goal is to help churches provide pastoral care to a group that has traditionally been stigmatized and marginalized."
"Speaking as a pastor to church leaders, I enthusiastically commend my friend Dr. Mark Yarhouse for his unflinching courage, heartfelt compassion, biblical loyalty and rigorous scholarship in addressing the painfully complex and controversial issue of gender dysphoria. This book is an exquisite gift of understanding that I believe is absolutely essential to the church's crafting of ministry to hurting people that reflects the grace and love of Jesus. Unwrap and use it as soon as possible!"
"Mark Yarhouse, a leading expert on human sexuality, brings wisdom and compassion for people and organizations who want to be Christ followers in a complex age. His book unpacks the research and theory on gender dysphoria in understandable ways. This book is required reading for Christians who believe God loves all people and that the church has something to offer all of God's beloved."
"Mark Yarhouse has written yet another important contribution to the church's discussion about LGBTQ issues, this time focusing specifically on questions related to transgender people. This book is informed by studious attention to the Bible, sound theological reasoning and deep psychological wisdom, all of which is sifted through a compassionate heart that wants to see people experience the deep love of Christ. This book is a must read for any Christian who wants to think Christianly about what it means to be transgender. Mark's pastoral posture and commitment to biblical truth is a model for every evangelical Christian."
"Shortly after the first edition of Understanding Gender Dysphoria was published in 2015, I had the privilege of hosting Dr. Mark Yarhouse for a pastors' conference at Irving Bible Church. I desperately wanted to benefit with my colleagues not only from Mark's expertise in the theological and psychological complexities of gender dysphoria but from his pastoral heart in seeking to minister to those on the margins while they grappled with painful questions regarding sexual identity. Mark did not disappoint then, nor will he now in releasing this updated version of his wonderful book!"
"Mark Yarhouse's Understanding Gender Dysphoria is essential reading for Christians today. This updated edition equips people navigating gender identity questions, parents, pastors and clinicians alike to better understand the complexity of this terrain, while grounding all of us in charity, clarity, and compassion. Yarhouse's decades of research and clinical practice integrated with his deep faith and commitment to orthodoxy offer a treasure trove of wisdom for all of us."
"This work is a tour de force. With his unique combination of Christian evangelical theological sophistication, clinical sensitivity and compassion, and scientific acumen and mastery, Yarhouse establishes in this compelling book why he is the most important voice reflecting on the complex challenges of sexuality today."
"This book is a must-read for pastors, educators and those who want to engage the cultural discussion around human sexuality. Yarhouse is a first-rate scholar, educator and therapist who also loves Jesus and Scripture. He deeply cares for people and the church. His approach to this complex topic is not to tell the reader what to think, but to teach the reader, who then can wisely discern how to apply the information to their particular context. This book educates so that people can lead wisely, pastor compassionately and build community that lives out the great commandment to love God and others."
"The second edition of Understanding Gender Dysphoria preserves the creative, instructive, and pragmatic three lens framework of the first but with added nuance and cutting-edge updates on this rapidly evolving clinical and societal area. As cultural tensions around gender issues and transgenderism have increased, the need for a theologically, clinically, and scientifically competent exposition of the related topics has only intensified. Mark A. Yarhouse's text remains the standout Christian resource for this purpose."
"Never losing touch with the human stories that underlie any scientific or clinical discussion of the issue of gender identity, Yarhouse (psychology, Regent Univ.) has written a timely, often trenchant account of the complex cultural and psychological terrain in which the issues of gender dysphoria and transgender circulate. . . . Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through faculty and professionals; general readers."
"I deeply respect the work that Mark Yarhouse has done in this field and have benefited greatly from his thinking."
"Mark Yarhouse is knowledgeable, instructive and compassionate. These attributes are helpful for those working through the topic of gender dysphoria and also to those of us who are new to this conversation. We may not all agree with his final suggestions, but it is worth taking the time to consider the content of this text."
"Understanding Gender Dysphoria is a good introduction to a complex issue, approached through both scientific and theological lenses. . . . It would be an excellent reference for pastors and parents seeking to understand the complex decisions those with gender dysphoria must navigate."
"Understanding Gender Dysphoria is a deeply practical and timely book. Many of the variables surrounding the transgender community are nuanced and intense, yet completely unknown to the evangelical world. Mark provides helpful working knowledge of key terms, concepts and relevant issues. And with humility and great care he directly addresses how individual Christians and the broader evangelical church can respond. Although this book is academic in nature, it should be required reading for all church leadership. This is my new go-to book for the Marin Foundation's work with evangelicals on the topic. Mark's research must be paid attention to."
--Andrew Marin, author of Love Is an Orientation
"Understanding Gender Dysphoria is a valuable work for those wishing to engage with transgender issues. It doesn't answer every question that might come up, but it does give readers the tools to come up with their own answers while doing so in a loving and Christian way."
--J. W. Wartick, Always Have a Reason, July 29, 2015
"Could the timing be better for a book to be released on the topic of gender dysphoria? Were you aware of this term a year ago and what it means? Whatever you knew or didn't know then, now you have an excellent resource in Mark Yarhouse's most recent work on the topic. He has written extensively on sexuality and gender, and in this book her offers a scholarly look at the issue of gender dysphoria. . . . From the first to the final page, Mark Yarhouse writes to inform, educate and challenge readers to be aware and sensitive to this demographic. . . . I cannot think of a more important time than the present to be gathering information on this topic, to help shape your position, refine it or perhaps change it. . . . Yarhouse has presented a thoughtful, scholarly work on this current cultural issue. I cannot stress strongly enough that this book should be read and available to every ministering person what has opportunity to work with people--the church!"
--Kent Miller, YouthWorker Journal, November/December 2015
"Mark Yarhouse is knowledgeable, instructive and compassionate. These attributes are helpful for those working through the topic of gender dysphoria and also to those of us who are new to this conversation. We may not all agree with his final suggestions, but it is worth taking the time to consider the content of this text."
--Stephen T. Beers, Advance, Fall 2015
"Never losing touch with the human stories that underlie any scientific or clinical discussion of the issue of gender identity, Yarhouse (psychology, Regent Univ.) has written a timely, often trenchant account of the complex cultural and psychological terrain in which the issues of gender dysphoria and transgender circulate. . . . Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through faculty and professionals; general readers."
--M. Uebel, CHOICE, November 2015
"Understanding Gender Dysphoria is a good introduction to a complex issue, approached through both scientific and theological lenses. . . . It would be an excellent reference for pastors and parents seeking to understand the complex decisions those with gender dysphoria must navigate."
--Ty Grigg, Covenant Quarterly
"Mark Yarhouse's Understanding Gender Dysphoria: Navigating Transgender Issues in a Changing Culture is a book that has the potential to change the conversation surrounding transgender, genderqueer and gender non-conforming people and our role in the church. Mark writes from a fairly conservative evangelical perspective, but there is one critical difference between his approach and the approach I usually see from conservative writers: Mark has actually listened to trans people with a view to understanding, and his goal is to help churches provide pastoral care to a group that has traditionally been stigmatized and marginalized."
--Melinda Selmys, Patheos, July 3, 2015
