The Reality of the Duck Dynasty Controversy

I hadn't planned on writing a blog this week since it was Christmas week, but decided that I would weigh in on the "Duck Dynasty" situation.  Phil Robertson, the patriarch of the Duck Dynasty clan, stirred up a hornet's nest last week when his comments about gays and blacks was published in the GQ magazine.  Immediately there was an uproar.  A&E, the network of the "Duck Dynasty Show," immediately suspended Mr. Robertson from appearing in any new programming, in effect moving the star from the show.  Facebook and Twitter pages lit up with responses, mostly positive toward Mr. Robertson and what he said.  Cracker Barrel, one of the sponsors of the program, immediately pulled all Duck Dynasty merchandise from their stores that contained the picture of Phil.  But, the uproar created caused them to make the following announcement: "We made a mistake, we listened to you, and we apologize.  #DuckDynasty products are back in our stores."

What created the firestorm were, among others, these words from the article: "Everything is blurred on what's right and what's wrong.  Sin becomes fine...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."  

According to Fox News, here is what Phil Robertson said yesterday to a Bible-class at his church, White's Ferry Road Church of Christ: "I am just reading what was written over 2,000 years ago.  Those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom.  All I did was quote from the scriptures, but they just didn't know it.  Whether I said it, or they read it, what's the difference?  The sins are the same, humans haven't changed.  If you give them the bad news, they'll start kicking and screaming. But you love them more than you fear them, so you tell them." 

So, why should Christians be concerned about a television reality show?  It is because a pattern is being set, friends, that is leading down a very slippery slope.  Mr. Robertson's statements about the homosexual community came in a private interview conducted by a magazine.  When asked a question, he was very candid and honest with his reply.  As Mr. Robertson said, "I love all men and women.  I am a lover of humanity, not a hater."  Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California, said, in an article published on the World New Daily website: "We believe in God, the Creator and designer of the world and all of its creatures.  We believe He has provided, as the Bible teaches, an intended design for sex and marriage.  We choose to hold to that, while being tolerant of those who choose to disregard it.  And we will continue to tolerate and even love those that disagree with us.  It would be nice if that were a two-way street." (www.wnd.com/2013/12/duck-censorship-a-warning-to-ministers). The article also quoted Doug Napier, senior vice president of legal for the Alliance Defending Freedom: "America's long tradition of free and open discussion about important cultural issues is the cornerstone of a healthy society.  This move is more evidence of the one-sided censorship of the cultural and political elites outraged by such a basic teaching.  Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson, president of BOND - the Brotherhood Organization of a New Destiny - said, "Robertson expressed his personal views about morality, faith and traditional families.  He didn't make the statements on the show.  He did not condemn or attack gays, nor did he single them out.  In fact, Robertson talked about how his Christian faith instructs him not to judge or disrespect others who don't agree with his beliefs." 

What I find alarming is that if it had been a gay person who had made similar comments about the heterosexual community, nothing would have been said.  There would have been no outrage.  There would have been no media focus.  But, because it was an outspoken evangelical Christian who made these comments, immediately the response is a negative one.  And, really all Mr. Robertson was doing, was commenting on a biblical passage - Romans 1 - where the Apostle Paul addresses this very issue.  And Paul is very straightforward about the subject, as was Mr. Robertson.  But we don't like what the Bible says about homosexuality.  It is not an unforgivable sin, but it is a sin nevertheless.  I share with my congregation those amazing words from Paul to the Corinthians believers.  I urge you to read First Corinthians 6: 9-11 and notice the tense of the verb Paul uses in verse 11 - "and such WERE some of you," implying that they no longer practiced the sins listed above, including homosexuality. 

Friends, the Bible is not a book where we can "cut and paste" those truths that we want to keep and eliminate all the rest.  The Bible is either ALL God's Word or it is NONE of God's Word.  There is no middle ground.  The Apostle Paul reminds us that "ALL Scripture is inspired of God...and ALL Scripture is useful" (2 Timothy 3:16).  The problem today is that so many people do not know their Bible.  Oh, perhaps every home has a Bible, but it usually just sits on a shelf gathering dust.  It is not read daily.  Its truths are not taken to heart and practiced.  And so, when a Mr. Robertson shares with us thoughts about the Word of God, people who do not know the Word take an immediate negative response.

Here is where it can get very scary to those of us who are preachers or teachers of the Word.  If we preach the whole counsel of God from the Scriptures, it is a guarantee that we will offend someone.  Even Jesus while here on earth, when He spoke, people either accepted His words or walked away from those words.  Will the day come when I could be arrested and put into a jail cell because I dared to proclaim God's Word as it should be?  Absolutely...and, furthermore, I don't believe it is that far away.  Sure hope that someone will look after Marlys while I am put away.  I refuse to water down the Scriptures just to save my reputation.  I want to be like Daniel or his three friends.  And I know that most of you do as well. 

Perhaps this "Duck Dynasty" controversy is a wake-up call for us to arouse out of our slumber and realize that a battle is waging all around us.  It is time to put on the armor of God and to get into the fight.  The eternal state of many souls is the prize.  This is not the time to be wishy-washy, but to move ahead in the power of the Spirit.  That is what Jesus came to do that first Christmas.  And that is what He desires that we do today.