Duck Dynasty On A&E Is Safe For Christians

These days it is not difficult to find garbage on the television.  It seems

that any time of day one can find a plethora of immorality glorified in

living color.  This is sordid proof that where there is a demand, there

will be someone to meet that demand.  Judging by what is on television

these days, there must be a great demand for explicit immorality; not to

mention the overload of science(?) programming pushing the humanistic

theory of evolution.  One could assess, from the current pop television

lineup, that there is no longer any place for God in our society, at least

when it comes to entertaining television.

Alas, there is a beacon of hope.  *Duck Dynasty*, on the Arts and

Entertainment channel, is a stand out program in a sea of

less-than-family-friendly television programming.  The show centers around

the Robertson family; a family of Southerners who run a multimillion-dollar

duck-call empire.  In the midst of all this televised smut, it is

encouraging to find a television show that depicts a family who, while

dealing with the every day ups-and-downs of life, attempt to publicly

glorify God and worship Him with their lives.

The patriarch of the family, Phil Robertson, came to know Jesus the way

many have before him.  He was living a self-centered life, he became overly

involved with the consumption of alcohol, he found himself losing the

things he cared about, he realized he could not fix himself, and he

surrendered his life to God, trusting in Jesus’ payment on the cross to pay

for his sins.

Since that time, *Duck Commander*, Phil’s duck call manufacturing business,

has grown into a multi-million dollar company.  The company employs almost

all of Phil’s family and their day-to-day life is filmed for *Duck

Dynasty*on the Art and Entertainment (A&E) network.

The show centers around the business of making duck calls.  There are many

hilarious moments from a host of colorful characters.  Sometimes there are

so many antics going on that it is difficult to see how they get any work

done at all.

However, what impressed me most about the show, and keeps me tuning in, is

the family’s in-your-face dedication to God.  When I first witnessed the

family gathered together at the supper table, as Phil Robertson prayed a

heartfelt prayer of thanks to God for the food on their table, I was hooked.

He even ended the prayer with, “In Jesus’ name”, a phrase you almost never

hear on television anymore.  I have since watched twenty-nine episodes and

have become more convinced that the Robertson family’s faith is real and

deeply foundational to their existence.

When the men in the family are not working on duck calls, they tour the

country spreading a strong evangelistic message mixed with hunting tips and

tricks.  The eldest son has been pastor of their local church until

recently, and one of the boys, Willie, spent many years as a youth pastor

and church camp coordinator.

Willie and his wife, Korie, have written a book together (*The Duck

Commander Family*) about their lives.  The book reveals their deep love for

each other, their children (one of whom they adopted), and most of all, God.

It is clear that the duck call business, although a blessing from God,

comes behind their love and devotion to Jesus.  A passage from their book

sums up a big part of their philosophy.  Speaking about the only way to be

truly successful in the world today, Willie writes, “You have to

acknowledge that it is from above.  And you have to have the confidence

that even if you lose it all, things will be okay…Our confidence is not in

the monetary success we have gained.  It is in the One who made us and who

is there for us in good times and bad” (Robertson, p. 119).  You can sense

this attitude as you watch the show.

One of Phil’s catch phrases is, “Everybody’s Happy, Happy, Happy”, and it

is clear, when watching this family, that they believe the only way to be

happy is to have a saving relationship with God through faith in Jesus

Christ.

Conclusion

The final scene of most every episode, where the family is gathered around

the table for dinner and Phil prays, is a very encouraging sight on

television these days.  Christians need to support programming like this.  No

matter what your views are on hunting or long hair and beards, you will

catch yourself laughing (even if you do not want to) and being encouraged

in your faith at the same time.

Guest Post By: Robert Driskell

Robert received a Bachelor of Arts degree in both Pastoral Ministries and Biblical Studies from Mid-America Christian University in 1995. He is convinced that the hope of the world lies in men and women having a saving relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ. Robert believes that the Bible contains the truth that God wants us to base our lives upon. He is passionate about understanding the Bible and helping others do the same. Only when one views life through the lens of the Bible can one arrive at a worldview based on truth. Robert is happily married and lives in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Additional Resources:Robertson, Willie & Korie.  *The Duck Commander Family*.  Howard Books,

2012.photo credit: InAweofGod'sCreation via photopin cc,www.youtube.com