UPDATE: A&E has lifted their suspension of Phil Robertson – no surprise here. The Robertson’s released this statement to Fox News:
“The family is excited to keep making a quality TV show for our dedicated fans, who have showed us wonderful support. We will continue to represent our faith and values in the most positive way through Duck Dynasty and our many projects that we are currently working on. The outpouring of support and prayer has encouraged and emboldened us greatly.”
Much has been written regarding the fallout and many good points have been made. Most of us are tired of hearing about it however, this debate is way too important to dismiss.
I submit to you the biggest reason these public squabbles rarely get resolved: we now have a clear cultural, moral divide in America and both sides cannot coexist peacefully any longer. There is too much at stake.
Though I agree with Phil Robertson’s views of the Bible and sin, I wish he would have answered the question on homosexuality with more tact in the GQ interview. Regardless, what did we learn?
In one corner of the public battle are those that believe in the Bible as well as America’s founding principles of Christianity; in the other corner are those who not only oppose us, but claim they are offended (threatened) by the presence of practicing Christians. The minority has the loudest voices and the support of Hollywood, the mainstream media, and government. Because of this ungodly alliance, we sometimes think conservatives and people of faith are now outnumbered.
Nothing could be further from the truth. Less than 4 % of the U.S. population is LGBT (Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender), and in a recent census of American citizens, less than 1% were verifiable same-sex couples. Moreover, about 73% of the media favor same-sex marriage while over 75% of Americans support Christianity.
This lopsided dichotomy was revealed a few years ago during the attempted intimidation of Chick-fil-A after the CEO had the audacity to say he runs his company on Christian values and believes in marriage between one man and one woman. Gay activist groups cried “hate” and after the intense, media-trumpeted backlash (bullying), millions of Americans supported Chick-fil-A by eating at their restaurants and rallying on social media.
You may also remember in 2009, Miss California, Carrie Prejean, was asked a question about legalizing same-sex marriage during the Miss USA competition. One of the judges, homosexual activist, Perez Hilton, viciously attacked Prejean and later admitted she would have won the Miss USA crown had she not answered the question in support of traditional marriage. What an interesting twist to ‘judge ye not.’
In the Duck Dynasty controversy, we again witnessed the political and public pressure by homosexual activists from GLAAD (Gay and Lesbians Alliance Against Defamation) and the Human Rights Campaign to not only force suspension of family patriarch Phil Robertson, but also insist he undergo sensitivity training and tolerance education.
Often ignored when discussing Robertson’s interview is the fact he also referred to many other sins even heterosexuals commit (1 Cor. 6:9-10). We all sin and fall short of God’s glory, and every one of us needs forgiveness. To Robertson, sin is sin no matter who you are, but opportunistic activists cried fowl.
The LGBT community claims it’s all about love and equality, but if you don’t agree with or approve of their lifestyle, they often resort to hateful attacks and refuse to permit speech that opposes homosexuality. This is totalitarian intolerance.
If we love someone, we’ll tell them the truth. If we believe Jesus is the only way to salvation (Acts 4:12) and we fail to warn others, we don’t really care about them. The way Christians demonstrate their love for non-believers is by addressing sin so they can repent and receive the grace God offers which leads to everlasting life (Ephesians 2:8).
One major issue at stake here is the First Amendment: Do all Americans, including Christian conservatives, still have legal speech protections or not? I purposely mention “conservatives” because there are far too many liberal Christians as well as those who profess Christianity and fail to accept the Bible’s authority or strive to live in obedience to its precepts. Some of these folks don’t think we should speak openly about our faith or quote certain Scriptures. Thanks to the emergent church, Christianity has been watered-down.
The foundational issue is whether or not the Bible is a divine source of inspiration and truly God-breathed (2 Tim. 3:16). Are there moral absolutes or not? God’s truth never changes and cannot be altered or adapted to a compromising culture.
The reason sin has become such an explosive topic is many Christian and religious leaders don’t teach or preach the undiluted gospel – the whole counsel of God – as much as they used to and therefore, many Christians don’t talk about sin; especially homosexuality.
How selfish of us who believe the Bible if we don’t share with non-Christians the only good news that can save them! Ironically, sin is the reason God sent His only Son, Jesus, to be sacrificed for us. He was brutally tortured and crucified and we don’t talk about WHY He had to die? Sin separates all mankind from a holy God.
Did you know originally, A&E’s plan for Duck Dynasty was for viewers to laugh and mock a family of ‘backwards’ Christian rednecks? Instead the show became the most popular cable program in history averaging 14.6 million viewers. The very plan that backfired ended up making them millions. A&E knew what they were getting with the Robertson’s.
Sadly today in culture, evil is considered good and good is considered evil (Isaiah 5:20), and activists will no longer tolerate those who say their behavior is sinful. Some believe we’ve reached a tipping point.
As for the media in America, they freely give liberals a platform, but rarely report the whole story. For example, are they not being hypocritical by refusing to mention the intolerance of Islam toward both gays and Christians? Muslims hang homosexuals. They also burn Christians, and destroy their churches & villages; and gay activists are bent out of shape when someone warns them about their sinful behavior?
We cannot remain neutral any longer. The lines have been drawn in the sand. This present darkness is not about Duck Dynasty, A&E, the Robertsons or Hollywood. It’s not even political, it is spiritual and the battle has just intensified. Take up your positions or hide under a table.
Author Michael Brown suggests:
“Those of us who agree fundamentally with Robertson make clear that: 1) We are unashamed of our belief in Jesus and in biblical morality. 2) We stand against the mistreatment of all people, including gays and lesbians. 3) We will not support the radical redefinition of marriage, regardless of the cost involved, nor do we see cultural capitulation to gay activism as inevitable.”
This never would have been a debate 50 years ago, so what changed? God, or America? Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). We’ve reached the point where activists are forcing conformity and calling it tolerance. I believe this is good for a comfortable Christian church.
Know this: God is at work orchestrating events and warning us to understand the times.
The problem has been diagnosed. The moral decline in America is evidence we cannot rely on church leaders because people are obviously not getting the message. If Christians fail to speak about the Bible, Jesus Christ, and the issue of sin; our society will only grow worse, the battle more intense, and the hostility more volatile.
One thing is certain: silence never saved anybody.
David Fiorazo is the author of ERADICATE: BLOTTING OUT GOD IN AMERICA
Eradicate: Blotting Out God in America 
Little Richard once said of homosexuals, “Get ’em saved and let God work the rest out.” My main interest for decades was cult research. I learned that when speaking with, or debating cult members, we could get lost in the details and side issues. I finally learned that I needed to keep the discussion focused on who Jesus is. If they have Jesus wrong, it doesn’t matter what else they believe.
I believe, after reading the entire content of Phil’s interview, that editing, and the media’s focusing only on select statements, that the message of Salvation in Christ alone was the point.
Dealing with homosexuality without first bringing them to Christ, is somewhat pointless. Insisting people, who are committing sin, to act morally in the way we wish they would won’t get them to heaven. Convincing or forcing someone to act morally or stop whatever sin isn’t Salvation.
We are all henious sinners. It wasn’t our good or moral works that won us Salvation. It is faith in Christ alone through His taking on the punishment for ALL our sins. His Free Gift of Salvation is offered to all, if we only believe.
Out of thanksgiving and/or simply obedience, we clean up our lives, try to obey the Commandments of God…all with the aid of the Holy Spirit in us, and God’s Word, but our good works aren’t what gains us favor with God, it is our Faith in the Finished Work of Jesus Christ.
Haven’t we all been told that when we turn to God through Jesus Christ, “God accepts us as we are?” We are forgiven through God’s grace and mercy, not because we try to act moral.
We have to lead others to Christ. We are not called to make people act moral. That comes through the Work of the Holy Spirit in our lives after we are saved.
Christ alone, Scripture alone, through Faith alone. We can’t add one thing to this. Christ, Scripture and Faith plus anything negates the Gospel.
“Get ’em saved and let God work the rest out.” I like that.
Excellent points, Steven, and I absolutely agree. I do however, believe the debate has erupted in part, because of our silence in culture. Another problem is our own hypocrisy; we have conformed to the world rather than making disciples and building believers. What ever happened to sanctification? If Christians are not taking their faith seriously, why should an unbeliever accept what we share with them (the gospel) if many of us are not living what we say we believe? This is one reason I wrote ERADICATE. Why does America look the way it does when the majority claims or professes some form of Christianity? Another issue is follow-up with new converts. Too many are falling away and resorting to their old ways because their foundation was built upon sand and their conversion was treated as a statistic. As much as I agree with your comments, there is so much more work to be done in addition to getting them saved. Thanks, Steven.
I appreciate your position, and the work you do. I speak up about social and political issues often. You are absolutely right about sanctification. Sanctification, that Work of the Holy Spirit happens when we steep ourselves in Scripture, seek God’s will in prayer and live a live of thanksgiving for the Salvation we have received, through Christ. Obedience to God’s Word should be on our minds in everything we do. We obey God’s commandments out of thanksgiving for what God has done, and who God is, not to garner any favor.
The balance living in a society such as we live in is a daily struggle. As a “pilgrim” I try to “touch this world lightly” always being mindful of where our true home is.
My point was to contrast leading the lost to Salvation in Christ, vs trying to get through to the lost by criticizing their immorality. The sactification your mention is the process that deals with those issues.
I provided a sound system for an anti-abortion rally outside an abortion clinic a few years ago. I listened as a speaker went on and on, screaming “These are Hitler’s ovens!”
Everything she said was right. Everything every speaker said was right. But who did they convince? Who’s mind and heart did they change? With this horrible thing, abortion, we need to win hearts and minds, and it happens one heart at a time, through the Love of Christ as we lead them to Christ.
One heart at a time. I know gays who have come to The Lord, and they ended their homosexual practices when the truth of Scripture sunk in. Would that gays could be led to The Lord corporately, but that is unlikely to happen. It will take more than criticizing their practices and behavior to lead them to Salvation in Christ.
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Why is it as Christians we keep talking about everyone elses sin but not our own? Just an idea, but the next time a public Christian figure gets asked a question about a topic that is a hot button in society, how about they say something to the effect of their own sin and struggles? How much more effective could the cause of Christ have been if Phil Robertson replied to the interview with something about what he struggles with instead of getting pulled into a debate. Is it really still about our right to speak? Is that what Jesus did? No, we shouldn’t be completely silent, but are we really dumb enough to keep getting pulled into these areas of debate when we don’t have the courage to speak about our own sins (including this new one we are developing “entitlement”). How about the next time a Christian is cornered about what the Bible says about a sin they aren’t committing that they respond with a Scripture that addresses a sin they are committing. You know, “well, I know what the Word says about (homosexuality, aborotion, etc), but to be honest, I’m more concerned with what the Word says to me about my sin of (fill in the blank) because I’m trying to be a representative of Jesus Christ and this is what He is addressing in my life.” They debates are used to taunt us and take us off course. I don’t want to focus on “my right to free speech” I want to focus on “my Savior”, who quite often, tells me to keep quiet. We can best address our moral decline in America by addressing our moral decline within ourselves, Christians included. Just a different point of view.
Thanks for the comments, Kit. You may have missed Robertson say in the interview that he struggled for years with sin and the whole “sex, drugs, & rock and roll” lifestyle. We’re not focusing on free speech – that’s just a symptom of the problem, but we can’t ignore the issue either. Activists are warning Christians and trying to silence us. Remember the religious leaders in Jerusalem threatened the early church and demanded they not mention Jesus Christ or preach in his name any longer? What did they do? “And when they had summoned them, they commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4:18-20) We believe, therefore we speak in order to obey Jesus’ command to make disciples.
Phil in the interview did speak of his own sinful past, his salvation, and what Christ did in his life. The statements the media jumped on were responses to specific questions asked in the interview. He clearly included himself in the list of sinful behaviors he quoted from Scripture. Phil speaks frankly and doesn’t mince words. He never has. If asked, he responds honestly and in a rather stark manner. The media selected certain statements, and took them out of context to a great extent. He also spoke of his love for all, and the love of Christ for all. The media left those parts out.
When media starts determining visual content and remarks, and corporations/business is so paranoid of always sidestepping what they consider UN-politically correct, and trashing peoples’ lives in the process (whether through character-assasination or via financial ruin) then all I can say is THIS IS DEFINITELY NOT WHAT THE PILGRIMS HAD IN MIND COMING TO AMERICA! Foreigners GO HOME; you seem to be messing up a whole lot with UN-American ideologies of yours; oh no, that is Americans doing it themselves it seems………. welcome to America!
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Duck & Run? Never…. I’m a Sinner & so are You
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[…] DUCKing the Issue of Sin: Should Christians Be Silent? (blottingoutgod.com) […]
Love the plain speaking of Phil much more than the cowardly weasel words of most spokesmen for Christianity. The issue first and foremost is the veracity of the Bible in what it condemns as sin. Homosexuals and their enablers hate that the Bible condemns them and hate those who believe and preach the Bible. If we don’t stand on the Word of God, homosexuals won’t get saved (Steven Dallman) no matter how eloquent our words about Jesus. Jesus saves from the power and consequences of sin. Homosexual behavior is sin. Any who deny the Bible list of sins are not and will not be saved.
I appreciate your comments, Kurt, and agree with you. I think one of the big problems is too many Christians shy away from quoting Scripture or from public debates because they don’t know how to address (warn, discuss, confront) others regarding sin without feeling or thinking they are being judgmental or hateful. The Left has done an effective job of redefining tolerance and putting Christians in their place so to speak. Because of our past silence – especially church leaders – we’re seeing the perverse, negative effects in entertainment, public debate, and our laws (redefining marriage). Stay strong, brother…
Brother David – I strongly disagree with your statement “Because of our past silence – especially church leaders -“!
Will each and every preacher/leader/teacher also be responsible before THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY? Yes – just as each and every one of us are – individually! (Gal 6:6-7)[KJV]
We need to remember that the real responsibility lies directly on the shoulders of each and every one of us that are truly converted followers of The LORD Jesus Christ – starting with me! Joshua stated his personal position “but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” (Josh 24:14-15)[KJV]
When we each sincerely pray unto GOD for Him to open our eyes (Ps 119:18) – and sincerely repent (II Chron 7:14)[KJV] – and read, study and learn the Holy Word of GOD (2 Tim 2:15)[KJV] – then and only then will He cause our personal faith to increase.
But – how many of us are willing on an ongoing daily basis – to make the sacrifice of time and effort to not just read or listen to the Holy Bible – but to really personally study, and Biblically meditate upon the Word of GOD so that we may be given understanding by GOD about that which He has written? It takes time and real effort on our part! (Is 28:8-10 / Rom 10:17)[KJV]
The Biblical ignorance of most of those that call themselves ‘christians’ in “Amerika” is staggering.
My understanding is that the LORD GOD always places over us those in authority that we are worthy of – which tells us that we are personally now living in times of great jeopardy! (Luke 17:1 / Ps 12:8)
Thanks for taking the time to comment, Nick. That was simply a generalization of the silence of too many church leaders, not all of them obviously. The point made over and over in ERADICATE is every one of us – individual Christians – are responsible to live, speak, and affect our culture for Christ. We’ve got a long way to go as a church and there is currently no sense of urgency on our part. You mention sacrifice and that is exactly what it will take for us to turn back to God and pursue Christ, sanctification, holiness, and live lives glorifying to Him. God will not withhold His wrath and judgment for much longer and perhaps He has already removed his hand from America. Stay strong and keep fighting the good fight of faith!
[…] DUCKing the Issue of Sin: Should Christians Be Silent? […]
Jesus predicted that just before His return as Judge, there will be a strange, dangerous fad – a spontaneous global steamroller notable for its speed, violence, and impudent in-your-face openness. In Luke 17 He called this worldwide craze the repeat of the “days of Lot” (see Genesis 19). By fulfilling this worldwide mania that’s secretly coordinated by unseen spirit beings, gays are really hurrying up Christ’s return and making the Bible even more believable!
They’ve actually invented strange architecture: closets opening not on to bedrooms but on to Main Streets where kids can see naked men having sex in “Madam” Nancy Pelosi’s San Francisco Brothel District. We wonder how soon S.F.’s underground saint – San Andreas – will get a 10-point jolt out of what goes on over his head (see the dire prediction about cities in Revelation 16:19, and Google “Obama Supports Public Depravity”).
What’s really scary is the “reprobate mind” phrase in Romans 1:28. A person can sear his conscience so much that God finally turns him over to S, the universal evil leader whose unseen agents can give a “possessed” person super-human strength that many cops with tasers have trouble subduing!
Remember, gays don’t have to stay bound to their slavery. Their emancipation is found in a 5-letter name starting with J (no, not James or Julia). As soon as they can find out the all-powerful J name, gays will really start living! (Google “God to Same-Sexers: Hurry Up,” “USA – from Puritans to Impure-itans,” and “The Background Obama Can’t Cover Up.”)
Was Jesus silent about gays? Google ” ‘Jesus Never Mentioned Homosexuality.’ When gays have birthdays….”
[…] Ducking the Issue of Sin: Phil Robertson, Duck Dynasty, A&E, and the LGBT movement […]