Facts and Faith
In my daily quest to be a better person, my mind sometimes
dives deep into some subjects, one thought leading to another sometimes getting
so off track that I can’t remember why I ended up where I am with my current
thoughts. Peggy says that I am an
example of extreme ADHD, yeah, that sounds like a good excuse to me. But, while driving across Arkansas this week,
I kept wondering why people were or are surprised at the comments of Phil
Robertson, the Duck Commander. There is
no shortage of his views and core beliefs on YouTube with video of him telling
why he believes the way he does. But,
not to argue the points of his statements, I ended up thinking about my own beliefs
and most importantly WHY I believe what I do.
I am not a preacher, only a Christian, who believes that
people should know what I stand for. The
Apostle Paul teaches this as to encourage us to not be ashamed. A tenet of my beliefs is taught in the children’s
song, to let my ‘light shine’, not ‘hiding it under a bushel’ of shame in
public.
First, I must provide some background. I was raised in Bigelow, AR, with one brother,
and parents who were married until I was 20 and my brother 16. My parents taught me about the importance of
community service, helping others, bringing honor to my family through good
behavior and actions, and teaching me the Bible, especially with emphasis on
treating others as I would want to be treated.
We attended church as devoted members who planned events around church
activities. We felt that our church was
the best way to support our community and keep our family strong.
I asked the lord to forgive my sins and come into my heart
at the age of 12. From then on, I had a
heavy conscience, which I believe was the Spirit of God, leading my actions
when I would let it. And I stress that
last point, it’s a choice to listen and follow.
A lot of the time I haven’t. But
as one of my best friends, Chris Carden, pointed out to me, ‘we might be
sinners, but, we can’t say we haven’t been told’.
I went on to graduate from Central Arkansas with a degree in
Public Administration, with the hopes of working in public service (which didn’t
work out, at least like I expected it).
All throughout my education, I was an avid questioner of fact. I would love to debate any point about
authority, justice, regulations, daily life, and history.
There was never a day that I didn’t think about the
Christian perspective during these debates in class. It was so prevalent in my papers that I would
get points knocked off on each of them for being argumentative and subjective
and not so objective. But I couldn’t
help getting in my shots to make a point, no matter what it cost me. In reality, I wasn’t doing it on purpose, it
was in my fabric.
From the time I could understand what I was hearing, I was
listening to the guidance of people who loved me and loved Jesus too! But, I was an able debater, even so able that
I could take the antagonist view in debates with subjects that questioned the
balance of justice, and in the most heated debates, social injustice, while
studying the issues of the 60’s through the late 80’s, when I was in college,
and win those. I was taught to be
objective, which is to say, totally understand why your opponent in the debate
takes a certain stand.
In the case of Phil Robertson, he loves to come off as a
red-neck white trash backwoods southern country good ole boy. Thing is, this is probably a very accurate description
of him. But, add the education, and you
have to discredit all the claims that he’s not smart enough to ‘avoid’
controversy with his selection of words.
I personally believe that he knows what he’s doing, which brings
me to my personal thoughts. I couldn’t
get the teaching of Paul, in his letter to the Galations, out of my head. Galations 6:1 reads, ‘Brethren, even if
anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in
a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not
be tempted’.
Two key words caught my attention, even and gentleness. Even is used as to say unfortunate and
sad. We should never want controversy,
but if it is necessary, the second word, gentleness, should be the tone. Cynics about the Duck Commander controversy
seem to attack every aspect of his interview.
They are totally ignoring what the basis for his statement is, The
Bible.
People, as Christians, freedoms guaranteed by the
Constitution, does not excuse our unwillingness (Refer to Dr. Bill Brown about
sins of omission, sermon in 1982 at Bigelow Baptist), to speak to our brothers
and sisters in Christ. Be gentle, get
along with each other, don’t judge, but at the same time you have the
responsibility to ‘call out’ your brother, when done with love and as Paul
writes, with ‘a spirit of gentleness’.
What cynic can attack those values?
Non-believers that’s who! Christ’s
teachings and the further word spread and taught by Paul are not intended to
make sense or appeal to non-believers.
Non-believers live life based on fact. That’s their peace. Knowledge is key to their security. Having it all figured out is their
comfort. I sometimes fell victim of that
line of thinking. But, for the believer,
of which, one I am, there is faith.
Faith and grace is all I need. My
faith, and God’s grace!
Paul goes to great length to explain that no amount of works
can provide you with the happiness only known to those who know Christ as their Savior. You can be of any faith and know the love of
Christ, but life everlasting is only through him. I know that there will be some
who will un-friend me from Facebook because of this post. That’s fine, just like Phil, and A&E, you
have the right to do or say anything that you want. But I stand firm on the teachings of my
parents. I choose to love everyone, be
nice to ones I come into contact with, and help those who I can, and hopefully
through me a little love of Christ can be seen.
If I ever become involved in such a situation that is similar to Phil
Robertson’s, I hope to follow the admonishment of the Apostle Paul, and
approach it with a spirit of gentleness and love, and never try to judge
anyone. I know some of you will see me
as a hypocrite, that’s deserved. Please
forgive me, I am a sinner.
This Christmas season, please remember even the cynics
acknowledge the fact that if not for Christ we would not be having Christmas,
and that’s because of generations of faith that’s been tried, tested and found true for
over 2000 years.
Love to All,
Merry Christmas,
Don
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