Live Like Phil Robertson: Be as Bold as the Bible
Condolences and tributes have been pouring in since the death of Duck Dynasty patriarch Phil Robertson was announced on Saturday night.
In a statement released on social media, Phil’s son Willie and daughter-in-law Korie wrote on behalf of the entire family:
“We celebrate today that our father, husband, and grandfather, Phil Robertson, is now with the Lord. We are grateful for his life on earth and will continue the legacy of love for God and love for others until we see him again.”
Nearly 12,000 friends of Focus on the Family commented on the ministry’s post from President Jim Daly lauding the founder of Duck Commander, the hunting supplier.
“We mourn his passing but celebrate his liberation from this world and all its challenges, including his Alzheimer’s disease,” Daly wrote. “Phil helped build a sporting empire and ‘dynasty’ that seemed to focus on duck calls and other hunting products. In reality, Phil was more interested in calling all of us sinners to forge a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He saw the family of faith in the Lord as the one true dynasty that would never falter or fail.”
Fans and friends have reacted with sadness and reflection, but in a recently unearthed video clip, Phil Robertson made clear he didn’t want or expect tears over his passing.
“When I die, don’t cry. Dance, sing — but don’t cry when I die. When I die, you say, ‘He made it, because I watched him as he walked through the years’ — don’t cry.”
The affection and outpouring for Phil was driven by a variety of factors, including his steadfast faith and unapologetic profession of the Gospel, along with his willingness to speak truth in a woefully confused culture.
Back in 2013, Phil was “suspended” by the A&E Network for remarks he made in an interview with GQ magazine.
“What, in your mind, is sinful?” asked the reporter. Robertson replied:
“Start with homosexual behavior and just morph out from there. Bestiality, sleeping around with this woman and that woman and that woman and those men. 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. Don’t deceive yourself. It’s not right.”
Of course, Phil was simply quoting the apostle Paul’s admonition to believers in Corinth.
A&E’s decision to shelve the reality television star was entirely symbolic. All of the show’s episodes for the season had already been filmed. It was the equivalent of suspending a Major League Baseball player for the month of December. Two weeks later, the network lifted the ceremonial ban after getting inundated with complaints and after Phil Robertson said what every Christian already knew.
“I don’t worry too much about people hating or insulting me,” he later said. “I’m a sinful man, and I’ve made a lot of mistakes. People have reason to hate me. All I did was quote a passage of Scripture from antiquity. They’re mad at me, but I’m really just quoting what God said, so He’s the one they have a problem with.”
Phil’s sustained popularity can be attributed to his willingness to speak up and not back down in the face of criticism. He didn’t care what other people thought of him, so long as he was living in a manner that pleased and brought honor and glory to God.
The weak and wobbly of culture put a lot of stock in what other people think of them. Some might even believe the Lord needs better public relations and so they set out to soften what they believe are His sharp edges. It’s unnecessary and a fool’s errand.
Phil Robertson’s bluntness and courage will be missed, but his witness can still teach long after his departure. Phil’s life demonstrated that change is possible. Addicted, unfaithful, and miserable, the founder of Duck Commander turned his life over to the Lord in his late 20s. Because he was willing to change, everything began changing for him.
The arc of Phil’s 79-year life also reminds us that Christians can be as bold as the Bible and as a courageous as Christ.
