"Duck Dynasty" stars Willie and Korie Robertson were recently interviewed by Fox and Friends about displaying their faith in the entertainment industry and the success of "God's Not Dead," the first film that they have played a minor role in.
The Robertson family has been vocal about their faith both on and off the air. While they feel their calling is to draw the secular world to Christ and thus don't "preach to the choir" much on the show, they are much more evangelical in real life. Several members of the family tour the nation preaching the Gospel at local churches and gatherings, and patriarch Phil Robertson had baptized around 300 people in the river by their home before "Duck Dynasty" ever aired.
"God's Not Dead" is a movie about a college student whose philosophy professor challenges to prove the existence of God or face a failing grade in his class. It has become the highest-grossing independent film of 2014, and recently won the KLOVE TV/Film Impact Award as well. The movie stars Kevin Sorbo as the professor, and Willie and Korie Robertson make a short appearance in the film playing themselves.
When idea was first mentioned to the Robertson couple, they were a little hesitant about acting in a film without having had any prior experience in the movie industry. When they realized they would play themselves, they gladly consented. "We wanted to be a part of it and we were happy to put our names to it, and ... are totally surprised and very pleased [with its success]," Korie says. When they finally sat down to watch the movie, they were pleased with its message.
"We were thrilled with how it turned out ... I think faith-based movies in the past have been ... kind of cheesy," says Willie - "We thought this was really put together well, and I thought it did tell a great story."
The movie centers on defending the Christian faith in the midst of persecution and on being used by God to further His kingdom. Actor Kevin Sorbo has said that he believes that God can use the film to help turn atheists to Christ. "I think a lot of people are looking for hope ... that there's something bigger than ourselves and there's a chance for something greater than what's going on right now in this world," says Korie.
"With the violence that we see against Christian people not too far from this country, where they're being hunted down and literally killed ... I think we should all examine [the genuineness of our own faith]," says Willie, alluding to the persecution of Christians in the Middle East and around the world.
