Unless you live under a rock, have been out duck hunting, or are not connected to social media, you have probably heard that the A&E Network has indefinitely suspended Phil Robertson for comments that he made in an interview for an upcoming edition of GQ Magazine. The comments drawing the greatest amount of ire from certain circles are these: “It seems like, to me, a vagina—as a man—would be more desirable than a man’s anus. That’s just me. I’m just thinking: There’s more there! She’s got more to offer. I mean, come on, dudes! You know what I’m saying? But hey, sin: It’s not logical, my man. It’s just not logical.”
Mr. Robertson is right, it is not logical, nor is it natural. Paul, to the Church in Rome, writes, Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. 26 For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; 27 and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error (Romans 1:24-27). These words come under Paul’s description of what is involved when God’s wrath is revealed (Rom. 1:18).
Later, Phil goes on to say, “Everything is blurred on what’s right and what’s wrong. Sin becomes fine.” When asked, “What, in your mind, is sinful?”, he replies, “Start with homosexual behavior and just morph out from there. Bestiality, sleeping around with this woman and that woman and that woman and those men.” Then citing part of 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, he says: “Don’t be deceived. Neither the adulterers, the idolaters, the male prostitutes, the homosexual offenders, the greedy, the drunkards, the slanderers, the swindlers—they won’t inherit the kingdom of God. Don’t deceive yourself. It’s not right.” Wilson Cruz, spokesman for GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation), stated, ”Phil and his family claim to be Christian, but Phil’s lies about an entire community fly in the face of what true Christians believe.” My question to Mr. Cruz is simply, “What did Phil lie about? What untruth did he tell?” Ask any Christian saved out of the homosexual lifestyle, and they agree with the Apostle Paul that they needed to be redeemed from that life. What does Paul go on to say in 1 Corinthians 6:11? And that’s what some of you were, but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and the by the Spirit of our God (emphasis added). Note Paul’s use of the past tense. Some of his readers were that, but they are not that now.
So why is GLAAD so upset? Why the outrage from them, and other like-minded organizations and groups? Because they have been exposed. Because the truth has exposed their futile thinking, and foolish, darkened hearts (Rom. 1:21-22). Despite all of the attempts of the media, TV sit-coms, and movies to promote homosexuality as normal or just another natural expression of love, it is not. Phil Robertson has unmasked what is ugly and wicked. It is the spirit of the age. It is this same spirit that cloaks itself in the language of pro-choice and a woman’s freedom, when, in reality, abortion is the murder and dismemberment of living babies. Likewise, homosexuality may claim to be more than homosexual intercourse, but it is no less than that, and is, therefore, abhorrent and condemnable (see Romans 2).
Phil Robertson is a man who has been washed, sanctified, and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. He knows and professes that homosexuals need the same. In making these statements he stands with the Apostle Paul. He stands with Jesus his King. He stands where all true Christians are called to stand: Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm (Ephesians 6:10-13).
Joe Thacker is the Pastor of St. Mark Reformed Church Brentwood, TN <>
