Thursday, December 19

I have been afforded the opportunity and responsibility of preaching for over 20 years. The good folks at Garris Chapel have been the ears for about 1000 of my sermons. If you ask just about anyone at GC or any other of those places, I would be willing to make you a bet. (Of course, any answer would give me a better chance of winning than being sucked into an "education" lottery) I would be willing to bet that no one can remember a sermon I have ever given on a social issue. Oh, I might use a little sarcastic one liner about politicians or some stupid government policy. But when it comes to individual opinions that amount to just that-opinions, it is not my custom to use God's pulpit to give mine. The truth is, I am probably more moderate and less conservative than some of my folks would like.

But when Phil Roberson of Duck Dynasty fame is not only publicly persecuted, and personally ridiculed, but is expelled from his vocation for answering a question about his belief, it goes beyond opinion giving.

First and foremost, if they didn't want to know, they should not have asked. It is not like you can watch any of the Duck Dynasty shows and not know their opinions on any moral issues. And hello, the show almost always ends with a prayer "in Jesus name." Is anyone surprised at the father of the dynasty's answer and explanation? Frankly, I would have been surprised and disappointed in any other response.

And then there is the issue. Am I talking about the issue of homosexuality? Read Phil's response again. Phil began with "everything is blurred on what's right and what's wrong. . . Sin becomes fine." There, my blog reading friend, is the issue. The issue is sin. And no matter how you spin it, no matter how you rationalize it, and no matter how you excuse it, ol' Phil is right. Don't be deceived. The act of homosexuality is a sin. He could not have said it better or more clearly. It's not right. It's not logical. And they will not inherit the kingdom of God. And for that response, he was persecuted.

By the way, this all started with an article in GQ Magazine written by Drew Magary. When I actually read the article, I was quickly turned off by his writing skills and his style. His writing isn't worth my time. How did he get a job with GQ anyway? Oh that's right. It's GQ.

And one more thing, (I know, this post is getting a bit long) but does nobody not remember that Phil also said in that same interview, "However, I would never treat anyone with disrespect just because they are different than me. We are all created by the Almighty and like Him, I love all of humanity. We would all be better off if we loved God and loved each other."

Again, Phil Roberson is right.