The Robertson family, including the entire Duck Dynasty cast, recently issued an official statement supporting patriarch Phil's beliefs and Biblical values, in light of the recent controversy over comments he made in an interview with GQ. While the Robertsons call Phil's remarks "unfiltered" and "coarse," they most certainly stand behind him and the Bible.
Phil Robertson and his faith in Christ were flung into the spotlight Wednesday evening, around the same time that he was in church praying with the White's Ferry Road Church of Christ congregation. The "Duck Dynasty" patriarch received major backlash for his comments about homosexual practice, after being asked by the interviewer what he considered to be sinful and listing homosexuality among others in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10.
Phil bluntly told GQ that he didn't understand the logic of the practice, but made it clear that God will be the Just Judge of all and the Forgiver of those who have placed their trust in Christ. He recently shared his testimony on I Am Second, rejoicing in the fact that he too had once been a drunkard and fornicator, but had repented and received the grace of God when he trusted in Christ, Who had paid for it all with His blood. This Gospel is, in essence, what the 1 Corinthians passage entails:
"Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God" (English Standard Version).
The tightly-knit Robertson family supported Phil and God's word in their statement Thursday evening. "We want to thank all of you for your prayers and support," they began - "The family has spent much time in prayer since learning of A&E's decision. We want you to know that first and foremost we are a family rooted in our faith in God and our belief that the Bible is His word. While some of Phil's unfiltered comments to the reporter were coarse, his beliefs are grounded in the teachings of the Bible. Phil is a Godly man who follows what the Bible says are the greatest commandments: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart' and 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' Phil would never incite or encourage hate."
Gay-rights activists are outraged by Phil's comments, and the A&E Network responded quickly by suspending Phil from the "Duck Dynasty" show "indefinitely." Conservatives around the nation, including Sarah Palin and Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, are in disbelief that Phil has been put on hiatus for his faith in Christ and his adherence to the Bible's teachings.
The Robertsons expressed their disappointment that Phil has been suspended from the show on grounds of his faith, and say they are discussing the future of "Duck Dynasty" with A&E. "As a family, we cannot imagine the show going forward without our patriarch at the helm," they said.
