“Take It Up With Paul?” Texas Democrat Sparks Outrage Over ‘Nonbinary God’ Claim

Texas Democrat and Senate candidate James Talarico is once again facing national criticism after defending controversial remarks about gender, sexuality, and even the nature of God Himself. During recent interviews and resurfaced public comments, Talarico reiterated statements claiming that God is “nonbinary,” that there are “six genders,” and that critics should “take it up with the Apostle Paul.”

The controversy erupted after old clips from Talarico’s speeches and legislative hearings resurfaced online. In one viral moment, Talarico argued that “God is nonbinary,” claiming that God exists beyond male and female categories. In another hearing involving legislation on biological sex and women’s sports, he stated that modern science recognizes more than two biological sexes and even suggested there are six biological sexes.

Rather than fully walking back the comments, Talarico recently attempted to soften the rhetoric while still defending the broader ideology behind it. He admitted that some of his phrasing may have “missed the mark,” but he maintained that his underlying principles remain unchanged.

The remarks immediately sparked backlash among conservatives, Christians, and biblical scholars who argue that Talarico is not merely expressing progressive politics, but openly distorting foundational Christian doctrine.

At the center of the debate is Talarico’s repeated effort to merge progressive gender ideology with Christianity. He often presents his political views through theological language, portraying support for transgender ideology and abortion access as extensions of Christian compassion.

But historic Christianity has always taught something radically different.

Scripture Is Clear on God’s Design

Scripture is unmistakably clear regarding both God’s design for humanity and the way God has chosen to reveal Himself. Genesis 1:27 declares:

“So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”

The Bible does not present gender as fluid, expandable, or endlessly subjective. Humanity is created male and female according to God’s intentional design.

Likewise, while God is spirit and not biologically human, Scripture consistently reveals Him using masculine language. Jesus taught believers to pray, “Our Father in heaven” in Matthew 6:9. Throughout both the Old and New Testaments, God refers to Himself with masculine pronouns and titles.

This is not accidental. Reformed theology has long emphasized that Christians are not free to redefine God according to the mood of the age. John Calvin taught that God accommodates Himself to human understanding through the language He has chosen to reveal. In other words, believers receive God’s revelation; they do not rewrite it.

“Take It Up With the Apostle Paul”?

The Apostle Paul also addressed confusion surrounding gender, creation, and rebellion against God’s design. In Romans 1, Paul warned that societies rejecting God inevitably exchange truth for falsehood:

“They exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator.” — Romans 1:25

Paul further described humanity suppressing truth in unrighteousness and becoming futile in their thinking when rejecting God’s created order.

Ironically, Talarico invoked Paul while defending his views, saying critics should “take it up with the Apostle Paul.” Yet Paul’s writings overwhelmingly affirm distinctions between male and female, biblical authority, and God’s created design.

In 1 Corinthians 11, Paul teaches distinctions between men and women within creation and worship. In 1 Timothy 2, he roots biblical order not in culture but in creation itself. In Romans 1, he condemns sexual rebellion as evidence of humanity’s rejection of God.

Far from supporting modern gender ideology, Paul directly contradicts it.

Progressive Theology Redefines Biblical Language

Many conservative Christian leaders argue that what makes Talarico’s comments especially concerning is not simply his politics, but his use of Christian language to normalize doctrines that contradict Scripture.

Dr. Albert Mohler, president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, has repeatedly warned that progressive Christianity often attempts to retain biblical terminology while redefining its meaning entirely.

Similarly, the late R.C. Sproul frequently warned against reshaping God according to human preferences rather than submitting to divine revelation. The issue is not whether Christians should show compassion. They absolutely must. The issue is whether compassion can be severed from truth.

Biblically, it cannot.

This controversy also reflects a much larger battle occurring inside American churches today. Increasingly, progressive activists are attempting to reinterpret Christianity through the lens of modern identity politics. Issues once clearly settled by Scripture are now being reframed through secular ideologies rooted in relativism and self-definition.

Truth Does Not Change With Culture

Christianity does not evolve according to social trends. Truth is not determined by polls, hashtags, political parties, or campaign speeches.

Jesus Christ declared in John 17:17:

“Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.”

That truth remains unchanged regardless of cultural pressure.

Christians are called to love all people with dignity, compassion, and grace because every person bears the image of God. But love does not require affirming falsehood. Biblical compassion never means abandoning truth.

In Ephesians 4:15, believers are commanded to speak “the truth in love.” Both matter. Truth without love becomes cruelty. Love without truth becomes deception.

The modern push to redefine gender, sexuality, and even God Himself represents far more than a political disagreement. At its core, it is a theological rebellion against divine authority and created order.

The church must respond not with fear or hatred, but with courage, clarity, and biblical conviction.

Because once society begins redefining who God is, everything else eventually collapses with it.

And despite James Talarico’s attempt to invoke the Apostle Paul in defense of progressive gender ideology, Paul’s writings ultimately stand as one of the strongest biblical rebukes against it.