| By Jamali Jack (Kingstown Church of Christ, SVG) On Tuesday April 8, 2014, a 22 year old sophomore at the University of Massachusetts, Derrick Gordon, announced his sexual preference and became the first active Division 1 athlete in the United States' National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) to openly identify himself as a homosexual. Gordon follows a trend where a few high profile athletes and individuals seek societal acceptance for their lifestyle. |  |
Some mainstream media outlets and corporate interests have done their best to capitalize on (i.e profit from) this somewhat fashionable trend. One such attempt at monetization is Nike's 2012 shift in their Be True Campaign. An official statement from the company reads as follows: "With the introduction of the original BE TRUE campaign in 1985, some of the most storied programs in collegiate hoops finally had the footwear that allowed athletes and fans to show their school colors. BE TRUE 2012 celebrates the achievements of the New York City, San Francisco and Portland communities as progressive leaders of LGBT life with city-specific footwear releases and accompanying hat and tee. "
Nike has in essence hijacked something as pure and essential to collegiate team sports - the desire for identification and solidarity with ones school colors - and used it in support of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. Rather than being true to your institution and the sport, Nike promotes self-centeredness in athletes (and by extension the general public) by encouraging them to be true to themselves. As a former student athlete, I find this highly offensive, selfish, and destructive. As a media/communications analyst, it is quite obvious that this is the expected result of misdirected political-correctness in a morally inept corporate culture. Most importantly, as a Christian, it is important that we be reminded of a certain fundamental truth that cannot be compromised in the face of societal pressure. That truth - LET GOD BE TRUE.
#TRUTH: The Bible is unmistakably clear concerning its stance on sexual expression. From the beginning (Matthew 19:4-5), it is intended that, within the context of marriage (Hebrews 13:4), a husband (man) and his wife (woman) would be able to express their God-given sexual desires in a healthy and mutually satisfying way (I Corinthians 7:2-5).
#TRUTH: All forms of unrighteousness, including sexual deviance are condemned by God. Paul in I Corinthians 6:9-10 states, "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God." The phrase "abusers of themselves with mankind" is a translation of the Greek word arsenokoites. It is defined as a sodomite: abuser of (that defile) self with mankind. Other translations render the word as homosexuals.
#TRUTH: God is willing to save all sinners. So much did He love the world that He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for the atonement of our sins (John 3:16; I Timothy 2:4; II Peter 3:9). Again, after listing a host of sinful acts which would result in our eternal separation from God, Paul in I Corinthians 6:11 continues, "And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God."
Any sinner (homosexual or otherwise) who is willing to repent of (i.e turn away from) their sins and be obedient to the call of the gospel (Mark 16:15-16) can find salvation in Christ that is offered by the only true and living God. As Christians, we must extend this invitation by being unconditional in our love to all sinners, but at the same time be uncompromising in our stance against all sin. In doing so, we do not become true only to ourselves, but to the one who Himself is the embodiment of truth (John 14:6).
For what if some did not believe? Shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? God forbid: yea, LET GOD BE TRUE, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged. - Romans 3:3-4
Nike has in essence hijacked something as pure and essential to collegiate team sports - the desire for identification and solidarity with ones school colors - and used it in support of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. Rather than being true to your institution and the sport, Nike promotes self-centeredness in athletes (and by extension the general public) by encouraging them to be true to themselves. As a former student athlete, I find this highly offensive, selfish, and destructive. As a media/communications analyst, it is quite obvious that this is the expected result of misdirected political-correctness in a morally inept corporate culture. Most importantly, as a Christian, it is important that we be reminded of a certain fundamental truth that cannot be compromised in the face of societal pressure. That truth - LET GOD BE TRUE.
#TRUTH: The Bible is unmistakably clear concerning its stance on sexual expression. From the beginning (Matthew 19:4-5), it is intended that, within the context of marriage (Hebrews 13:4), a husband (man) and his wife (woman) would be able to express their God-given sexual desires in a healthy and mutually satisfying way (I Corinthians 7:2-5).
#TRUTH: All forms of unrighteousness, including sexual deviance are condemned by God. Paul in I Corinthians 6:9-10 states, "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God." The phrase "abusers of themselves with mankind" is a translation of the Greek word arsenokoites. It is defined as a sodomite: abuser of (that defile) self with mankind. Other translations render the word as homosexuals.
#TRUTH: God is willing to save all sinners. So much did He love the world that He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for the atonement of our sins (John 3:16; I Timothy 2:4; II Peter 3:9). Again, after listing a host of sinful acts which would result in our eternal separation from God, Paul in I Corinthians 6:11 continues, "And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God."
Any sinner (homosexual or otherwise) who is willing to repent of (i.e turn away from) their sins and be obedient to the call of the gospel (Mark 16:15-16) can find salvation in Christ that is offered by the only true and living God. As Christians, we must extend this invitation by being unconditional in our love to all sinners, but at the same time be uncompromising in our stance against all sin. In doing so, we do not become true only to ourselves, but to the one who Himself is the embodiment of truth (John 14:6).
For what if some did not believe? Shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? God forbid: yea, LET GOD BE TRUE, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged. - Romans 3:3-4
ADDITIONAL READING ON CHRISTIAN COURIER
Are You Homophobic?
Straight Talk About Homosexuality
The Sexual Orientation Controversy
Are You Homophobic?
Straight Talk About Homosexuality
The Sexual Orientation Controversy
