Reconciliation Is Not About Keeping Score, So Don’t

I awoke to discover that neither A&E nor Phil Robertson has changed their position about the core of what was said and apparently each has offered apologies and accepted forgiveness.  Their motives are not ours determine, nor is that a productive use of time.  However, I offer to you that now that they have reconciled we will serve the Gospel well by not using terms like “winners” and “losers” whenever we reference the outcome. Both parties have come together in spite of their differences.

Those of us in Christ been reconciled to God. He forgives and forgets our sins, never to bring them up again.  Just as many of us were a part of the voice that spoke up in support of a bold Christian standing for Truth, let’s be a part of the voice that speaks up for true reconciliation.  No gloating.  No name calling.  Celebrate that people who believe very strongly and very differently can be in a respectful, tolerant (in the truest sense of the word) relationship. 

We have so few examples of what that looks like, let's magnify it when we can.

The Boldness of Phil During Christmas AND Duck Season

The good news is Phil Robertson doesn’t give a flying squirrel what A&E or anyone else thinks of him.  He knows to Whom he is accountable.   

I read the article in GQ.  I also read the post by Dr. Albert Mohler  who believes Phil should have not even done the interview because “GQ…a ‘lifestyle’ magazine for men… is not looking for Sunday School material.” Surely, Dr. Mohler  isn’t suggesting  we’re only supposed to give people what they want, not what they need?  That we need to be cautious about the message we share based on how much harm may befall us?  (By the way, I firmly believe this is what is wrong with the American church in general- consumerism in the pews leads to watered down preaching.) GQ and Phil both knew the rewards and ramifications of this interview.  GQ wanted to sell magazines at best, bait Phil and try to get him fired at worst; Phil’s vision was on something more eternal. 

Dr. Mohler described Phil as “crude” in his language regarding homosexuality.  That may be a bit harsh considering the venue, context and the actual terms to which he is referring.  When we classify words used in medical dictionaries as “crude”, may I suggest we have a problem. The crudeness, numerous uses of profanity and at times bordering on disrespectful tones came from the author of the GQ article, Drew Magary.  He even titles his interview in such a way as to push the envelope, for crying out loud. ("What the Duck?") 

I, for one, stand with Phil.  Al Mohler has a lot more smarts than I do. I've benefited from his wisdom in times past.  There’s no doubt he’d beat me hands down at a game of Bible Trivia.  His reach and impact are greater than mine will ever be.  ( I think two other people besides my immediate family members, under great coercion, even read my blog.)  But I know one thing; my God gave Phil Robertson a platform.  He gave him a date to meet with Mr. Magary to speak some plain Gospel truth.  Phil did “serve the cause faithfully” in my book and he did it in a forum reaching men who otherwise would never have given him the time of day.  He witnessed to his interviewer and offered him truth and love and a desire to call him “brother”. 

A&E, it's time to stand apart from the crowd and allow people the freedom to speak freely without fear of retribution.  Christian, it's time to speak up and embrace the inevitable retribution.

 

After all is said and done, if Phil Robertson, a man of simple needs and great wealth, doesn’t take the opportunity to speak truth plainly when it presents itself, who will?

 

Albert Mohler, "You Have Been Warned - The 'Duck Dynasty' Controversy", Thursday, December 19, 2013. http://www.albertmohler.com/2013/12/19/you-have-been-warned-the-duck-dynasty-controversy/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=you-have-been-warned-the-duck-dynasty-controversy

Drew Magary, “What the Duck?,” GQ, January 2014. http://www.gq.com/entertainment/television/201401/duck-dynasty-phil-robertson  Seriously, this article isslap full of profanity. Proceed with caution.

Photo from GQ http://www.gq.com/blogs/the-feed/2013/12/the-gospel-according-to-phil.html

Not-Too-Last-Minute Gift Ideas for the Unbelieving Reader In Your Life

O.K., so Christmas has been adulterated by materialism and selfishness.  But all is not lost.  If gifts are what they want and you feel obliged, how about spreading the message of the Gospel in a way that is non-threatening?

For the reader in your life who would no more pick up a book on Christianity than build a rocket to the moon:

"Amazing Grace- William Wilberforce and the Heroic Campaign to End Slavery" by Eric Metaxas   

Second only to the Bible, this book profoundly changed my life. It's a beautiful biography that records a lifetime of standing against oppression while being gracious and loving to those who stand against us. It's a beautiful way to share what the Christian life is meant to be without all that "churchy language".  

For the seeker who is willing to open a book with the word "God" in it:

"Loving God", by Charles Colson  gives a solid, yet gentle introduction to what Biblical Christianity is and examples of regular people living it out.  Anyone and everyone can relate to this book. Warning: you may need a box of tissue nearby. 

And last, for the unbeliever who thinks you have to check your brain at the door to believe:

"I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be An Atheist", by Norman Geisler & Frank Turek  

A great resource for presenting the Truth in a rational, reasonable manner to the unbeliever who is willing to "keep an open mind". 

Eric Metaxas has recommended books for the unbeliever on your gift list, too.  Check out his list here.

And if you're still reading this- thanks!  Persistence can be rewarding! The Colson Center is generously giving a $25 gift certificate to one of my blog readers!  Just let us know who you are by either liking/following the blog, or sharing on Facebook! 

And God bless as you consider how to re-claim this season for Christ. 

“The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of the Colson Center. Giveaways are sponsored and paid by the Colson Center unless stated otherwise.” 

"O Holy Night" Reminds Me Of Our Universal Calling

How are Christians fairing in the U.S.?  Here are some headlines to give you a clue:

Home Schooling German Family Fights Deportation

The Religious Cleansing of Bulloch County, Georgia

Judge Rules Baker Must Provide Wedding Services to Gay Couples Despite Religious Convictions 

Veterans Affairs forced chaplains from program for quoting Scripture, praying in the name of Jesus, suit alleges

Student Sues School District for Allegedly Banning ‘See You at the Pole’ Fliers That Included Bible Verses

Military Chaplains Being Censored?

Atheist Group Seeks to Deny Poor Children Christmas Gifts

 *Obama Signs 2013 NDAA: May Still Arrest, Detain [U.S.] Citizens Without Charge

Christians are under attack.  Not just around the world, but here in the States. Laws and "executive orders"  are constantly being put in place to steal our freedom of speech and religion - gifted by God, fought for by our Founders, and guaranteed by the Constitution. At the same time Christians are being hounded and silenced, other world views from atheism to Islam are being tolerated, endorsed and embraced. (Obama Administration Announces Nationwide Muslim Outreach Program For Children Grades K-12 )

The Bible teaches that governments were instituted by God for the purpose of protecting the people and ensuring justice as God defines it. When they do not, it is the responsibility of God's people to step in and act. Read Exodus, Deuteronomy, Esther, Daniel, Isaiah, Micah, and James to see how, among other things, God moves through His people to address earthly authorities and correct oppression.  He calls us to do the same.

We don't discuss this much from the pulpits.  We preach personal spirituality, but shy away from "secular" things. I challenge you to find in Scripture where God gives us one set of instructions for living privately and a different set for how we are to live publicly.  We've bought into the "don't offend" ideal as if Christianity isn't, at its core, offensive to a worldly soul. Maybe we don't discuss it because the problem is too big ("Let's stick to the battles we know we can win").  Perhaps we don't discuss it because we don't want to be seen as alarmists.  There are, after all,  so many other believers in foreign countries going through much worse.  It's not like we're experiencing a holocaust. 

May I share with you an excerpt of the *Reichstag Fire Edict, a decree that suspended sections of the German constitution for the general safety and well being of the people after a national "emergency" took place:

"Restrictions on personal liberty, on the right of free expression of opinion, including freedom of the press; on the rights of assembly and association, and violations of the privacy of postal, telegraphic and telephonic communications; and warrants for house searches, orders for confiscations as well as restrictions on property, are also permissible beyond the legal limits otherwise prescribed."¹

 
This edict set the stage for the Nazi's  to complete their transition to a dictatorship and more boldly persecute those who opposed them, including the Jews and dissenting Christians. The rest, as we say, is history-or at least until the re-write is complete.

My cry is this, church: Learn from the mistakes of the German church. Do not let their failures be in vain. Do not wait until it is too late.  Do not think this cannot happen here. Do not be that naive. Or lazy. Or afraid.  Be informed.  Be bold. Ask questions, study, and talk about it. Everywhere. Preach it from your pulpits. And throughout this time remember God's promises, repent privately AND corporately, and encourage each other to return to holiness with a desperate cry for the power of the Holy Spirit to lead us.

This Christmas as you sing "O Holy Night", let the words soak into your soul...

"Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother.
  And in his name all oppression shall cease. "

Oh, that we would be found faithful to be his hands breaking the chains of the oppressed.



¹(Metaxas, Bonhoeffer Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy, 2010, pg 148)