The polarising effect of Bruce Jenner's interview with Diane Sawyer in which he opened up about his transgenderism and his transition to becoming a woman has sparked different reactions from the public and the Christian community has not been spared conflict on the issue.
Recently, conservative Christian writer and commentator Matt Walsh penned a scathing post entitled "Bruce Jenner Is Not A Woman. He Is A Sick And Delusional Man " published on The Blaze.
In the article, Walsh criticised the former Olympian for planning to undergo a sex change procedure.
"Yes, in the unhinged mind of popular culture, a man puts on a pantsuit and suddenly he's a brave, strong, courageous, amazing, historic, legendary, superhero warrior savior. He went from a D-list reality TV celebrity to Jesus Christ, and all because he said he wants to be a she. This is demented. The whole thing. All of it," he wrote.
He further cited that the issue of transgenderism is unacceptable because it questions the wisdom of God to put a female soul in a male body.
"He created us. And if God exists and created us, then He is both all powerful and omnipotent. And if he is both all powerful and omnipotent then it is impossible for Him to accidentally put a soul in the 'wrong' body. Impossible. It cannot happen," he said.
Walsh also cast doubt on the motivations behind Jenner's public declaration of his new gender and whether it was connected to a boost in his popularity as well as television and book deals.
Other Christians have offered a more compassionate response to Jenner's transgenderism.
In a separate post entitled "Dear Bruce Jenner: Jesus Loves You and Cares For You," preacher Jarrid Wilson assured Jenner that there are people in the world who care for his well being and try to understand his difficult position.
"God loves you whether you choose to transition or not, and I pray for the hearts of those who are calling you a 'sick and delusional man' for they know not what they do. Their fear of the unknown leads them to say and do childish things. This is a new and complicated conversation that people are scared to have. Why? Because they don't know enough to wrap their heads around it," Wilson said.
Wilson admitted that he too finds it difficult to fully understand the issue of transgenderism but he believes that God would want his children to follow his command to Love Thy Neighbor. In his view, that means giving love and grace to a community that is facing a 40 per cent suicide rate. Besides, he said, the issue entails a complex discussion which only God's wisdom could answer in due time.
In a recent radio interview, the two expressed their opposing views on the subject. Walsh remained firm in his stance and said Christian leaders should stand up for the truth instead of compromising the meaning of God's word.
"And I think we've gotten to that point in our culture, which is a very dangerous, evil place, because Christian leaders haven't not stood up and said, 'This is wrong' and just laid out the truth."
Wilson did not dispute the fact that Christians should stand for the truth, but he maintained that there should be a genuine understanding of the issues they engage in.
"I also believe when it comes to an experience or a circumstance — when somebody says they are transgender I definitely believe that there is a personal and relational understanding that needs to take place when you are trying to talk to somebody about, let's say what you perceive as truth or what somebody else perceives as truth, instead of wadding it up in a ball and throwing it at their face," he said.
