I am not going to take a lot of time to address this story, especially when time is so short and the wife has a long list for me to accomplish before Christmas. However, I feel it is imperative that I at least say something.
Last night I spoke to my congregation about John the Baptist from Luke 1:17, which says:
“And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
Before the well-known and beloved Luke 2 story that tells of the shepherds in the field and the birth of Jesus, Luke tells us of one who was to come before in the spirit of Elijah, preaching truth, not holding anything back, in order to prepare the people for the coming Messiah. John the Baptist was this man, the last of the Old Testament prophets, full of boldness and fire.
Therefore, it may only be a coincidence, but I find it completely ironic that just before Christmas, when our hearts should be prepared to celebrate the coming of God to earth in human flesh, we have a man (as John MacArthur described John the Baptist) “fearlessly and faithfully proclaim[ing] divine truth in the face of ruthless opposition.” And they’re wanting his head. His name is Phil Robertson.
Phil Robertson of “Duck Dynasty” fame, a committed Christian, is being blasted and hung out to dry by the media, vehemently attacked by the gay and lesbian groups, and treated like an ugly step-child by many in the church who wish to coddle the liberal left. But what I see in Phil Robertson is the rare spirit of Elijah that points its finger in the face of a degenerate culture and says, “thou hast sold thyself to work evil in the sight of the LORD” (1 Kings 21:20).
The gay and lesbian advocacy group (GLAAD) has come out and said, “Phil and his family claim to be Christian, but Phil’s lies about an entire community fly in the face of what true Christians believe…” But it is obvious that GLAAD has no idea what “true Christians” believe, nor do they understand the type of people Jesus himself held in high esteem, for it was John the Baptist of whom Jesus commented: “Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist…” (Matthew 11:11; Luke 7:28).
So, if Jesus thought that much of John the Baptist, it would be safe to assume that Jesus, the loving Savior of the world, would have approved of John’s words. What then were some of the things John said?
“ In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” – Matthew 3:1-2
“For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias’ sake, his brother Philip’s wife: for he had married her. For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother’s wife.” – Mark 6:17-18
John was bold enough, just like Elijah before him, to declare that there is such a thing as sexual sin, to say it to the face of power, and to do it even in the face of execution. What did Phil Robertson say?
(Paraphrasing 1 Corinthians 6:9-10) “Don’t be deceived. Neither the adulterers, the idolaters, the male prostitutes, the homosexual offenders, the greedy, the drunkards, the slanderers, the swindlers…they won’t inherit the kingdom of God.”
Sounds like old Phil is more in line with Elijah, John the Baptist, Paul the Apostle, and Jesus Christ than GLAAD would like to admit. And if Phil Robertson must suffer persecution because of his personal beliefs, he is better off in the long run, for sure.
“Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” – Matthew 5:11-12 KJV
His reward will far exceed any paycheck Ahab&E is willing to pay.
Related articles
- Phil Robertson off “Duck Dynasty” indefinitely (cbsnews.com)
- GLAAD slams ‘Duck Dynasty’ star Phil Robertson for ‘vile’ remarks (mrt.com)
- Duck Dynasty’s Phil Robertson suspended by A&E for comments on homosexuality (conservativeread.com)
The Recovering Legalist 
Clearly, gay people do not know what a Christian is. Since it makes them uncomfortable with themselves they vilify. It is they who are living a lie.
Gay people don’t _care_ what a christian is.
They care that some people, in the name of their religion, vilify them.
Stephen, thank you for your comment. As long as I receive comments from the other side of the fence that are free of vulgarity, then I am more likely to accept them.
I would like to reply, however, to the broad, blanket statement you just made. Gays don’t care what a Christian is? If that is so, then I find it hard to understand the accusation by GLAAD that Mr. Robertson does not know what it means to be a Christian. Why does it matter so much that the LGBT lifestyle is accepted within the Christian church? No, I think it is quite clear that they DO care what a Christian is, for they insist on a redefinition.
Although I’m not sure Phil spoke in the best wording possible, he certainly didn’t mistake what the Bible says and therefore no matter how he said it the opposition would find a reason to speak as they do. The constant mission to remove Christ from the world will never happen. But convictions will always happen. And I thank God that I am counted among those who are in a true living pursuit of others even knowing I, along with other Christians, am not perfect nor expected by God to be … for He is perfecting us.
I believe, God will work through and bless those who are not afraid to speak truth in Love. He also works through others, but those who speak in love are better heard.
But… may we never forget that no matter how much love we speak through and live out the opposition will hear what they want if they are not open.
By this:
The constant mission to remove Christ from the world will never happen.
I meant that it will never be successful. My brain gets ahead of my fingers. 😉
GLAAD represents no-one but themselves. But they are entitled to their opinion about what constitutes a christian. As for me, I am indifferent. Believe in Santa Claus if you must.
Indeed, gays (a generality, of course) don’t care what a christian is. Some are christian; most (I would venture) not. They only care when christians attempt to take away their rights. Other than that, do as you please.
Gays don’t care.
Taking away rights is a completely different issue. Unless, of course, you’re referring to A&E’s response to Mr. Robertson. Phil Robertson, as a Christian, was only stating his views. He wasn’t silencing anyone else’s.
I refer you to Prop. 8.
He is entitled to air his views; his employers are entitled to fire him for airing offensive views.
His belief in Santa Claus or references to what Santa Claus is reputed to believe is not a defence.
Get over it.
And your reference to Santa Claus is an obviously purposeful insult to Mr Robertson’s (and my) faith, which gains no points in the arena of ideas. So, I will begin to get over any more of your comments by trashing them.
Ah, but you well know, that is actually the point: reference to faith is no defense. You just don’t like it.
Your second sentence makes no sense. But I’m guessing you intend to censor me. As is your right. And A&E’s.
Defense? No, it’s just that you are an atheist with a desire to offend. It’s easy for you. All you have to do is hurl offensive slurs at Christians, knowing full well you can get away with it. No problem. And, yes, I may censor you. But, as you pointed out, that’s my right. And if you choose to never tune in again to this blog, then that is your choice, also. I don’t do this for money, so losing viewership will not hurt my bottom line. A&E, on the other hand, should reconsider.
Changing the subject, I see.
Which is a decent strategy when you have comprehensively lost.
I’m off to buy an A&E subscription. Happy holidays!
Yes. You changed the subject. Got it.
When I look into Phil Robertson’s comments (http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/chi-duck-dynasty-phil-robertson-sounds-off-on-gays-20131218,0,6319736.story ) I see two that relate to homosexuality and none that insult them. He points out that according to the Bible homosexuality is a sin like bestiality and any other form of sex outside of a heterosexual marriage. He then quotes the Bible (1 Cor 6:9) directly. He also points out that he agrees with that stance. He finishes with a rather odd, but frank, assessment of his preferred sexual interface (for lack of a better way to put it).
No one ever accused him of being shy about speaking his mind, but why are homosexuals and A&E accusing him of attacking them. At no point does he say that they are bad people, they are demonic. Where is this “vile and extreme stereotype” that is being pushed according to GLAAD. How is he lying “about an entire community fly in the face of what true Christians believe”. He simple quotes the book that the religion has canonized as their guide.
If someone told me that because I wear pants the tooth fairy wouldn’t come and visit me this would not be an insult to me. I do not believe in the tooth fairy. No problem. Why is it that when someone tells someone who believes that the Bible is wrong that a passage in the Bible disagrees with that person’s lifestyle choice it makes them angry or insults them? Why does it make someone angry to hear a quote from a book they do not believe in? They don’t believe in the words in the book. They don’t believe in the consequences of the book. Are they also concerned about being on the naughty list from Santa?
Finally, how on earth can one who prefers the less often chosen sexual interface be upset that someone else expresses that he prefers the more often used?
Thank you for your well written piece. I thought the same thing, bold is what we need to be in these times. Even when our livelihood is at stake.