Duck Dynasty’s Phil Robertson In The News Again

Once again, Phil Robertson, patriarch of the family whose everyday life is chronicled on the A&E hit Duck Dynasty, is in the news again. He is under attack, by those who think those with opinions that differ from theirs, should be quiet. Why? Because he preached an Easter sermon in which he recited the First Corinthian passage that sets out some of the sins that keep people out of the Kingdom of God. This was the same passage he quoted to the GQ magazine interviewer recently, which subsequently started a firestorm of controversy.

This latest attack on Mr. Robertson stems from a video recording of an Easter sermon he preached that included his remarks concerning the GQ interview he gave and the controversial, to some, remarks he made during the interview. Now, a loud group of people have voiced their opinion that, because Mr. Robertson acts on his beliefs, he is a “bigot”, a “racist”, a “stupid redneck”, and other such colorful adjectives. Apparently they would have Mr. Robertson act against his beliefs while they themselves retain the right to live according their beliefs. Many of Mr. Robertson’s detractors, and detractors of Christianity in general, seem to think that only they have the right to voice their beliefs.

Some of Phil’s Motives

So, why does Phil Robertson insist on speaking out against sin, such as homosexuality? Why would he keep taking a stance that invites such vitriol? It’s probably because:

1. He truly believes God exists. This would make us accountable to God. As our creator, He has the right to set the standards by which we should live. He even defines what ‘love’ is. We would do well to live by His definition of the word; our definitions are so varied and fluid it is often difficult to recognize it.

2. He truly believes the Bible is God’s written Word. God has communicated with us clearly through a book called the Bible. It shows us a worldview where God is the ultimate Creator, worthy of our worship, obedience, and praise.

3. He truly believes that God says certain things are sinful. The Bible contains, among other things, instruction on how we are to live. God tells us that some things are wrong and some things are right. It is the height of arrogance when we think we have the right to alter God’s standard of conduct to suit ourselves.

4. He truly believes that, because of sin, people are headed for eternal punishment. The Bible tells us that, without God’s provision of forgiveness, we are all headed for judgment and an eternity of torment, separated from God (II Thessalonians 1:9).

5. He truly believes that God has provided the means by which we can be forgiven and not have to face an eternity of punishment. Romans 10:9 says, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” (KJV)

6. He truly believes God wants him to share the news of God’s offer of forgiveness. Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus instructs His disciples, which would include us, to, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” (KJV) It is our responsibility, as followers of Jesus Christ, to share the hope of the Gospel of Salvation with everyone we can.

7. He truly believes that it would be unloving, and a sin, for him to not speak out for God. Mr. Robertson believes that it would be incredibly unloving to keep quiet about God’s saving plan and to let people go off to an eternity of punishment while he remains silent. It would be like your doctor, who knows you have a deadly, yet curable, disease, simply remaining silent about it, telling you everything is all right, and not offering you the cure. Is that love? Hardly. When one has the cure for the disease (sin) it is the loving thing to do to point out the fact that you have a disease and that there is a cure available.

Conclusion

Phil Robertson believes that God is the only hope for the world. He is so convinced of this that he feels that it would be sin if he did not share the good news of God with a lost and hurting world. Mr. Robertson loves people so much he is willing to weather the insults and venom hurled at him from an angry, God-rejecting world simply because one person may hear the message and become a forgiven follower of Jesus. This should be the goal of all true believers. Keep up the good work, Phil.

Guest Post By: Robert Driskell

Robert received a Bachelor of Arts degree in both Pastoral Ministries and Biblical Studies from Mid-America Christian University in 1995. He is convinced that the hope of the world lies in men and women having a saving relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ. Robert believes that the Bible contains the truth that God wants us to base our lives upon. He is passionate about understanding the Bible and helping others do the same. Only when one views life through the lens of the Bible can one arrive at a worldview based on truth. Robert is happily married and lives in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.