Why God is Greater Than A&E: My thoughts on the Duck DieNasty

Have you read the entire article in GQ about Phil Robertson?  Before today I had never read any article in GQ, nor did I know their articles were available online.  But I went to their website.  Ding ding!  That’s more money for GQ, I suppose.  I also suppose the leaders of GQ are excited to be behind the Die Nasty death that may be upon Duck Dynasty.  

Let’s all remember that dollar signs are the goal here.  Phil Robertson wants to make money selling hunting accessories.  A&E wants to make money selling Phil Robertson.  GQ wants to make money writing articles.  This blog entry is evidence that all the above are making more money.  More people today know about GQ, A&E, and Duck Dynasty than yesterday.  

In the midst of all this media mess and money making, some people have gotten their feelings hurt.  Several groups of people were hurt by what Phil Robertson thinks of them.  Some other groups of people were hurt that anyone would be hurt by what Phil Robertson said.  Others are just upset because there is nothing else to read about on FaceBook and Twitter.

First things first, indulge GQ and hop on over to read their article.  Fair warning: the language and topics are rated “MA” to say the least.  (Click here for the article) Regardless, you can’t join the conversation unless you read the article in its entirety.  The article does say some nice things about the man who started the duck dynasty, but ultimately, right from the beginning, the article is written with sarcasm intended to make fun of the unlikely television star and his family.

No matter how you get your feelings hurt in this, it is clear to see that Phil Robertson is not represented well by what he said.  Mr. Robertson said some vulgar things, some hurtful things, some graphic things, and it is crude.  The judgments he offered on certain people groups are overly simplified, and he does not offer grace for the complexities in people’s lives.  

In response to Mr. Robertson’s statements, A&E suspended him.  A&E cannot have Phil Robertson working for them when the viewpoints he expressed alienate so many.  Even with an apology, A&E might not ever let him represent the company again.  Mr. Robertson is simply not fit to represent A&E and their interests.  

And this is why God is greater than A&E.  God is just fine being represented by Phil Robertson.  

Does God know about what Robertson said and how Robertson feels?  Yes.  Does God want Robertson to work on showing grace to others?  Yes.  Does God want Robertson to continue speaking on behalf of the gospel message even though Robertson isn’t perfect?  Yes.  

I can relate to Phil Robertson.  I know that there is messy stuff in my life that needs work.  I am a sinner.  I think of the apostle Paul who wrote, “Christ came into the world to save sinners - of whom I am the worst” (1 Timothy 1:15).  I also know that despite my lack of perfection, God made me His ambassador (2 Corinthians 5:20).

Companies and television stations can’t withstand the burden of sin.  None of us are perfect enough to represent them.  

God is greater.  God doesn’t withstand the burden of sin, He confronts it and conquers it.  God then uses us as His Kingdom representatives to share the great news of the gospel with other sinners.  

In my head the following two ideas are swirling around.  1. We should not be shocked by the actions of A&E.  It’s their company, and they can choose whoever they want as their representative.  They no longer want to make money selling Phil Robertson, and that is their choice.  

2. Christians should not act like Robertson has done nothing wrong.  If we pretend that he has done nothing wrong, we show a lack of ability to think critically.  To say his worldview is perfect is to say, “I am ignorant.”  If we say Robertson is innocent, we are playing into the hands of a non Christian world.  The world wants to hold up Phil Robertson’s sins against his love for the Lord, and laugh at how far short Phil falls from perfection.  The world says, “surely you Christians can’t believe this guy is spreading the gospel when his vision of the world isn’t perfect.”

Instead of claiming Phil did nothing wrong, what if we acknowledged Phil’s shortcomings and showed the character of God through it?  We ought to be shouting at the top of our lungs the good news that God doesn’t require perfection to be a part of His hope.  We can simultaneously be aware of Phil Robertson’s mistakes, and be thankful for God’s kingdom work though Phil.