The Duck Dynasty Controversy

The following notes are from our Saturday Morning Men's Ministry Bible study of January 10, 2014. If you would like to listen to the entire Bible study, you can find it at our website under the Bible Study Archives menu.

1. Background of Phil Robertson, from the book Happy, Happy, Happy...

Youth – Phil Robertson and his family grew up in poor circumstances. But he has many happy memories of hunting, fishing, and playing football.

College – Phil received a scholarship to Louisiana Tech to play quarterback. Before he finished, he quit football so that he could spend more time hunting and fishing. The second string QB who took over was Terry Bradshaw, who played for the Pittsburgh Stealers.

S.A.D. – Phil slowly descended into a lifestyle of sex, alcohol and drugs. His wife, Kay, left him with their children.

Conversion – Phil eventually realized the destructive nature of his lifestyle. He begged Kay to let him come back. She allowed this on one condition – that he talk with her pastor. The pastor was busy that day, but Kay insisted because a soul was at stake. The pastor led Phil through a study of God’s word. Phil often refers to his conversion as the time when he “repented.” He also stresses the importance of studying God’s word.

Hard Work – In order to take care of his family, Phil began working as a commercial fisherman. When a friend noticed how good he was at calling ducks, he called Phil, “The Duck Commander.” That was the beginning of an idea that would eventually become a multi-million dollar business – making duck calls. But it was not easy in the early years.

The T.V Show – A & E approached the Robertsons with an idea for a reality show. Phil didn’t think it would work because all the reality shows he had seen show people who were having problems. Phil told A & E: “We’re not messed up!” Eventually he agreed to the program providing he would always be able to end the program with a spiritual lesson and prayer.

2. The Controvesy – Phil paraphrased 1 Corinthians 6.9-11 in an article published in GQ magazine. His paraphrase was coarse, but not necessarily in conflict with what the Bible says. Some members of the homosexual community were greatly offended and called for his suspension. He was suspended, but after a tremendous outcry from fans, he was reinstated. The controversy raises some important questions to which Christians who still believe the Bible need to respond.

3. The Bible condemns homosexual behavior in Leviticus 20, Romans 1, 1 Corinthians 6 and 1 Timothy 1. When it does so, it always includes homosexual behavior along with other sins such as adultery, idolatry, greed, etc. Why is there such an outcry when the Bible condemns homosexual behavior but not when it condemns adultery and pornography? The reason for this is that most people see adultery and pornography as choices that people make. But they do not think homosexual behavior is a choice. This, however, is a very controversial issue. There is no proof that homosexual behavior is determined genetically. However there are many studies that are trying to determine if same sex attraction is influenced by nurture. As Christians living in a fallen world we understand that there are many things that might cause people to suffer from various temptations. People struggle with heterosexual lust, anger, a proclivity to addictions, depression, etc. This does not mean that we should accept these behaviors but rather seek God’s help to overcome them.

4. This is exactly what the Apostle Paul was saying when he wrote to the Corinthians church: “But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6.11). Our confidence for ourselves and for all is that God, by His grace in Christ, has forgiven us of our sins of every kind, and that He will help us to resist those temptations.