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# Evangelization and the Failure to Understand Gender "Ideology"
- URL: https://matthew-d-burkholder.ghost.io/evangelization-and-the-failure-to-understand-gender-ideology/
- Published: 2023-10-24T15:45:14.000Z
- Updated: 2023-10-24T15:45:14.000Z
- Author: Matthew D. Burkholder
- Tags: Politics, Theology, Evangelicalism, LGBTQIA+, #Migrated-1787946130805, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-08-28 15:42

Not surprisingly, considering their moniker, evangelicals have historically emphasized the evangelization of culture. Those within a culture are divided into the saved and the unsaved. The duty of every evangelical is spiritual activism to discover the unsaved and direct them toward salvation. In effect, the priority of relationships is spiritual destiny. Conversations are often carefully crafted to direct the subject towards Christ and salvation. And perhaps the biggest demographic on the receiving end of this endeavour is children.

Children are taught to accept Christ as their saviour almost as soon as they form basic thoughts. Christian education, homeschooling, Sunday school, Bible camps, and Christian media form the Christian identity early on in life. Evangelical children are often isolated from the world and taught to be suspicious of things outside an evangelical Christian worldview. If they are in the world, they are not to be of the world. And, of course, Christianity *shou*ld be a unique force in the world that shines light into the darkness of marginalization and loneliness. However, evangelical Christianity tends to emphasize what we should not do instead of what we should do beyond the one task of evangelization. Once evangelized, avoid swearing, drinking, and having sex outside of heterosexual marriage, and you're good. This leads to introspective passivity and an identity defined by personal piety rather than other-focused activism.

So what is my point? First, it is difficult for evangelicals to not see the world in terms of conversion. Of course, they will imagine their children being indoctrinated with a particular ideology *because that is exactly the ethos of their identity*. Ironically, evangelicals think children should not carry the heavy weight of self-determination while at the same time burdening them with images of eternal torment if they don't ask Jesus into their hearts. The lack of self-awareness is stunning.

The foundation of modernity is built on the concept of radical autonomy and personal agency. The movement allowing children to explore and define their gender is built upon this cornerstone. In other words, the modern mind is *horrified* at imposing one particular ideology onto another person. And while there are certainly philosophical and theological problems with endowing the human individual with an almost divine-like autonomy, this is not the fight evangelicals are waging. They simply do not understand the culture they are fighting against. Accusing educators of indoctrinating children with rigid gender ideology makes no sense. The movement emphasizes fluidity and autonomy. But in an evangelical bubble, the world is a place where strict identities are delineated, and people are converted.

Secondly, because evangelism leads to personal piety, evangelicals struggle to see the bigger, other-focused picture. So far, the emphasis has been on protecting and protecting "my" child. My child is being indoctrinated. My child has the right to learn or not learn what I want my child to learn or not learn. I will determine what is best for my child. My child matters most. As if the entire education system comprises people who look like my child or, sadly, who should look like my child. And yet, children who have different experiences exist and deserve to feel accepted and safe. And newsflash evangelicals, a great many of your children are currently struggling with their gender and sexuality, and you better believe that they are listening to how you are talking and acting and are *terrified*.

All I ask is this. Dear evangelicals, please spend even five minutes imagining the experiences of an LGBTQIA+ child. If you can't, is it because you don't believe they exist? Have you considered that right now they might feel this war is being waged against them? Either against their existence or their security.? Have you asked not only what is best for your child but other children as well? And finally, have you considered that not everyone in society is out to convert others?