It was inevitable: A&E network kicked Phil Robertson off the Duck Dynasty Show. We shouldn't be surprised. After all, this is the same network that coached the Robertson family to cuss, begin fights, and talk less about Jesus. The producers of the show even cut out portions of the family's prayers when Phil would say "in Jesus name." And despite all this pressure, Phil and his family stayed true to their faith.
The "controversy" that got Phil kicked off the show was an interview he gave recently to GQ magazine. During the interview Phil would say things like, "You put in your article that the Robertson family really believes strongly that if the human race loved each other and they loved God, we would just be better off." When asked about sin, Phil paraphrased Scripture and responded, "Start with homosexual behavior and just morph out from there. Bestiality, sleeping around with this woman and that woman and that woman and those men."
Oh, and by the way, Phil adds himself to the list: he recognizes that God saved him from a life of sin. When he talks about sin, he always talks about God's redemptive love. When he mentions the word judgment, he always adds that he has no desire/intention to judge because that is left up to "the Almighty."
If Phil were sitting across from you now, his desire wouldn't be to judge and make you feel bad, it would be to evangelize and invite you into the incredible experience of God's love.
A&E's agenda is the same as the LGBT community's so Phil's comments caused a stir. Time will tell if the show will continue or, as a sign of solidarity, the family kicks the dust off their sandals and moves on. Here are 5 reasons I'm deeply impressed with Phil:
1. He talks about Jesus: Regardless of what happens with the Duck Dynasty tv show, Phil will use his influence to take glory away from himself and give glory to God. No amount of pressure could water down his witness. Just check out his testimony on the website 'I Am Second':
2. He keeps perspective: In countless interviews Phil pointed out that the tv show was not going to last forever and he knew it. Phil felt blessed to get the spotlight for a short time because it allowed him to share about God's love, as seen in the person of Jesus Christ.
3. He quotes Scripture: When a person quotes Scripture it shows that they are letting God's truths speak for themselves. And those truths are living and active. When a person is seeking out whether God is really who He claims to be, the Holy Spirit will help that person see the invitation is real.
4. He is quoted in full: I don't fully get it. Whenever I hear there is controversy over something Phil said, I expect him to be misquoted. After all, we live in a sound-byte-driven culture of gossip and mixed messages. But because Phil speaks in such a colloquial, down-to-earth way, he is often quoted in full. Whether you like or dislike what he's saying, what you see is what you get.
5. He doesn't judge: LGBT advocacy groups are slinging a lot of mud in his direction right now. They're claiming he likes to hate-monger and would love to see the destruction of all homosexuals. I don't see that in his words (or in the way he lives his life). Phil is not a man driven by hate, he is a man driven by hope.
And it's this last point that has me really thinking... no matter your background, lifestyle, or religious beliefs, doesn't it seem like Phil has been pretty straightforward with his beliefs? Do you get the sense he is a man driven by hate? Do you think the media is being fair to him right now?
I would love to hear your thoughts on the situation. ((Bonus reason 6: the Middle Schoolers in my youth group LOVE Duck Dynasty. There's something about the show that appeals to that age group))
