The sports apparel giant, Nike, has let its voice be known in the transgender athlete controversies that are storming our land. The company chose to employ a transgender activist in promoting its women’s sports apparel. Not surprising, there were those who called for a boycott of the Nike brand. Nike in response called upon its customers on its Instagram account to “Be kind…be inclusive” promising to delete comments “not in the spirit of a diverse and inclusive community”.
What does Nike mean when it tells its customers to “be inclusive”? Before we answer that question let’s hear from another voice in this matter, the voice of God through his word. The Scriptures remind us that “God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them” (Genesis 1:27). Children are from the Lord for we read further that “The fruit of the womb is his reward” (Psalm 127:3). He causes conception and oversees development. Speaking of Ruth, we read that when Boaz, Ruth’s husband, “went in unto her, the LORD gave her conception” (Ruth 4:13). He reminds Jeremiah, the prophet, “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee (Jeremiah 1:5). And Isaiah testifies that the Lord “giveth breath unto the people upon it [the earth], and spirit to them that walk therein” (Isaiah 42:5).
I am here today as a male by the determinative work of God. He gave my mother conception, formed me in the womb, brought me forth and gave me breath. That is true for every person ever born on this earth. We do not “assign” a gender at birth nor can we choose a gender different than what we were born. There are only two sexes, male and female. God did not make a mistake in my gender.
Now back to the question, what does it mean to be inclusive. It is a much used word today. Though it sounds charitable, it essentially means to embrace falsehood and perpetuate a lie. It means to make room at the table for that which is patently false even in the face of objective and absolute truth. To be inclusive in this context is to willingly lay aside our sensibilities and give credence to a lie.
Furthermore, when we willingly reject that which we know to be true, we sear our conscience and render ineffective our ability to discern truth from error. When we embrace falsehood, we become easy prey to more falsehood. Society functions on truth. We should not surrender it so easily.
Nike has given its voice to this matter, but so has God. There is a story in Babe Ruth folk lore how that on one occasion he was called out on a third strike. Immediately the fans in Yankee Stadium began to “boo” the umpire. Hearing this, the Babe turned to the umpire and said, “There are 50,000 people who have a different opinion about that last call.” The umpire glibly responded, “That is true, but mine is the only opinion that counts!” Be assured that God’s is the only opinion that counts though all others would lead you to believe otherwise. Be careful whom and what you believe.
From the Chaplain 