Promoted from the diaries

We are just into the first full day of the A&E / Duck Commander controversy and already weak-kneed “Christian leaders” are lining up to apologize for Phil Robertson and what he said.  These perfectly manicured, soft-spoken, self-appointed Christian spokesmen – often with hair that can withstand gale force winds – are only too happy to jump in front of a camera or on the radio waves to soften the plainspoken Word of God.  These well-groomed and often academically titled men almost seem offended that a mere rustic – more resembling of John the Baptist or an Old Testament prophet than the hipster pastors and bloggers of today – would dare to boldly proclaim the Word of God to the liberal media complex.  Thus, instead of supporting Mr. Robertson and boldly proclaiming the Word of God, they scuttle about and curry favor with the press by attacking the messenger, the message, or both.  It is worth taking a look at some of their arguments because we need more boldness, not less.

First, there are those who think that Mr. Robertson went too far by using words like “vagina” and “anus.”  They allow that Mr. Robertson sounds like the Apostle Paul but that one did not have to cover the ears of young children listening to the epistles of Paul.  They seem to forget that God often utilized even more graphic language and actions in confronting His people with their sins.  They forget or ignore the fact that God instructed Hosea to marry a harlot as a visual demonstration of the spiritual adultery committed by Israel or that Isaiah was told to walk naked and barefoot for three years as a visual image of future judgment.  Besides the prophets, certain portions of Scripture are a little uncomfortable to read in mixed company.  My personal favorite is how Rachel sat upon the household idols of Laban in the middle of her menstrual period.  Did that passage in Genesis leave any doubt about how God feels about idols?  I still blush when reading the Song of Solomon and discussing what is actually meant by the “Hills of Incense” or tending your wife’s vineyard.  So, while Mr. Robertson might be a little risque for the church tea social, his use of physically descriptive terms is not outside of Biblical norm.

A second line of argument against Mr. Robertson is that he should not have been so direct and confrontational about sin and the need for repentance.  After all, Jesus was all about love and acceptance – except He was not.  Jesus taught more about the coming judgment, hell, and the need for repentance than He did about love.  He was not afraid to call people out for their sins because a recognition of sin is the first step toward reconciliation with God.  Mr. Robertson spoke true and remained faithful to the Word of God.  Jeremiah warned against those who promised God’s blessing and acceptance without first requiring repentance – a turning away from sin to God.

The third line of  attack on Mr. Robertson argues that he should have never given the interview to GQ in the first place.  After all they contend, GQ is a secular leftist rag which probably planned to entrap Mr. Robertson and lead him to a public crucifixion.  They argue that he should have known that would happen and stuck with more friendly venues like TBN and Larry the Cucumber.  Having read Mr. Robertson’s autobiography, I would bet that Mr. Robertson knew what to expect from GQ and came prepared to be asked some tough questions.  Unlike our man-child president, he was not afraid of the press and he went prepared to truly speak truth to power.  He answered the question really well and even relied upon Scripture to make his point.  Like Jesus, he was not afraid to face those who would seek to entrap him and respond with a “have you not heard” or “have you not read” what the Scripture said.  He boldly carried the Christian message into the lion’s den and was not surprised when the lion snapped.  I would also wager that he is not surprised by the reaction from A&E.  We need more Christians willing to speak uncomfortable truths in and to the liberal press.

Mr. Robertson should be commended and not subjected to a bunch of little yapping dogs who snap at the heels of someone who speaks the Word of God boldly.  Godspeed, Phil Robertson.  May your tribe increase.