Phil Robertson’s Death Bears Witness to Christians’ Resurrection Hope
Phil Robertson, patriarch of the Robertson family, founder of Duck Commander and star of Duck Dynasty, passed away on Sunday, May 25, at the age of 79.
Phil was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease last December and also suffered from a blood disease that left him in a lot of pain.
The businessman turned preacher and evangelist is survived by his wife, Kay Robertson, his four sons, Al, Jase, Willie and Jep, and his daughter Phyliss.
The Robertson family said in a statement after Phil’s death, “We celebrate today that our father, husband, and grandfather, Phil Robertson, is now with the Lord.”
The family quoted from 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14, in which the Apostle Paul writes:
“Thank you for the love and prayers of so many whose lives have been impacted by his life saved by grace, by his bold faith, and by his desire to tell everyone who would listen the Good News of Jesus,” the Robertson family continued, adding,
As a younger man, Phil struggled with alcohol abuse, leading to deep problems in his marriage to his wife, Kay.
But Phil’s radical transformation bears witness to the work of Christ in his life.
After a preacher shared the Gospel with Phil, he yielded his life to Christ and his life was changed. Thereafter, Phil constantly focused on Jesus Christ in his public appearances and speeches, and his marriage and family were redeemed and restored. This is clearly portrayed by the love the Robertson family members have for each other today.
Since his death, members of the family have issued many loving reflections about Phil.
In a pensive and heartfelt post on Facebook, Al Robertson paid tribute to his father, saying, “The man who raised me, trained and disciplined me, accepted me, loved me, and partnered with me in sharing the gospel of Jesus has left this life and crossed over to await the Great Resurrection.”
“As he told me over and over in my life – especially in the last few years – ‘Al, the resurrection looms larger every day for us all.’ Indeed it does, Dad.”
Willie Robertson shared, “[Phil] taught me many things in life and most without ever saying a word.”
“Most importantly,” Willie added, “he taught me the value of sharing my faith with others. He was the Real Deal.”
As the Apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the Philippians, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. … My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better” (Phil. 1:21, 23, ESV).
Followers of Jesus Christ do not live as the world does. Indeed, we know that gaining the whole world is not worth losing one’s soul. Instead, Christians forsake worldly pleasures and pursuits, counting it all loss for the sake of knowing Christ – who provides true life, now and in eternity.
Phil Robertson constantly pointed others to Christ and the hope all Christians have in the resurrection.
“If there’s no resurrection, what good would it do for God to remove your sin? If He can’t raise us from the dead, what good would it do for Jesus to die on the cross for us if he can’t give us life beyond the grave?” Phil once asked. “So, the centerpiece for one’s thinking should be … the resurrection.”
In another speech, Phil reflected:
I’m reminded of the Apostle Paul’s exhortation to the Roman church:
“For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living” (Rom. 14:7-9, ESV).
We give thanks to God for Phil Robertson, and the witness of his Gospel-transformed life. We also take great hope that the Robertson family will see him again, and in the hope we all have in Christ, who proclaimed: “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live” (John 11:25, ESV).
Please pray for the Robertson family, and for others to come to Christ through their courageous witness.
You can purchase a copy of Phil’s bestselling books I Could Be Wrong, But I Doubt It or Happy, Happy, Happy.
To speak with a family help specialist or request resources, please call us at 1-800-A-FAMILY (232-6459).
Related articles and resources:
Duck Dynasty’s Phil and Al Robertson Offer Jesus as the Answer to Culture
Hunting for Hope and Happiness
Celebrating Christmas as a Family
Finding Peace of Mind in Christ
Embracing God’s Grace for a Past Abortion
I Could Be Wrong, But I Doubt It
Willie Robertson Reveals How Single Gospel Conversation Changed ‘Duck Dynasty’ Family
Duck Dynasty Film ‘The Blind’ Hits Home Theaters After Record-Breaking $16.8 Million Release
Phil & Jase Robertson Win K-LOVE Fan Award for ‘Unashamed’ Podcast
Photo from Getty Images.
