I have watched with curiosity while the whole “Duck Dynasty”
hoopla has played out. I still have yet
to read the whole article in question in which Phil Robertson is accused of
being homophobic and racist. I have only
heard and read snippets of the interview, all taken out of context I am
sure. The Robertson family appears to be
a family of strong, biblical faith. I
have seen and heard far more positive coverage of the family than
negative. I am convinced that Mr.
Robertson’s comments have been sensationalized and his intent was not to be
hateful or hurtful to anyone.
That being said, I would like to address the issue of what
he is accused of saying and why I believe as a Christian he should have kept
his mouth shut on such matters when being interviewed for a magazine such as
GQ. In Matthew 7, Jesus told his listeners
not to give what is sacred to dogs. GQ
magazine is not a Christian publication which targets a Christian
population. Why would someone attempt to define what is “sin” with a periodical that clearly is not concerned with the
definition?
Another teaching Jesus gave his followers in Matthew 7, is not
to hypocritically judge others. Why
bother cleaning up your neighbor’s minute mess when you have a junk pile in
your own back yard which needs to be cleaned up? Before a Christian sits down and starts
condemning homosexuality, he needs to make sure the sins in his own life are
not weighing him down. Romans 1:29-32,
gives a comprehensive list: greed, envy,
murder, strife, deceit, malice, gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent,
arrogant, boastful, disobedient to their parents, senseless, faithless,
heartless, and ruthless. I look at this
list and realize there is so much work to do in my own life; I do not have the
time to go around telling others what sins they need to take care of in their
lives. If someone comes to me and asks
for guidance, I am more than happy to point him or her to the One who can
help. Why do we as Christians spend so
much time judging the sins in the lives of others rather than nourishing the
relationships with which God may bless us?
Instead of pointing to a particular group of sinners (by the way, we are
ALL sinners) and saying, “You’re wrong;” we should be introducing them to the
One who has the power to redeem everyone from his or her pain and sin and give
new beginnings.
1 Corinthians 5:9-13, makes it quite clear that judging
people outside of the church is God’s work, not mine. My job is to love those who are outside of
God’s loving embrace. Through my love
they may very well come to know Him who loves them no matter where they are and
who they love. Perhaps next time Mr.
Robertson is interviewed, he will remember all of Christ’s teaching.
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “’Love the Lord your God with
all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the
first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor
as yourself.’” Matthew 22:36-39
