Thursday, December 19, 2013

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

2 comments:

Fran said...

I am blown away by all of this. Why in the world can someone not say what they believe and not get blown up by people, media, anyone? For the love of Jesus...I want to be like Phil. Be bold people. STand up for the truth. The end. Sin is sin and we are all committing it. Homosexuality just happens to be "the hot topic" of the day. Good grief. I won't apologize for what the bible says. Disagree if you want, but dang...leave me/him alone. And A&E is stupid. They knew what these folks stand for.

Fran said...

Did you read this? http://themattwalshblog.com/2013/12/19/dear-ae-congratulations-you-just-committed-suicide/