The Radical Conversion Experience of Phil Robertson

So everyone on earth has something to say about the whole Phil Robertson ordeal. Even me! And here I want to say one more thing. However, I don’t want to get into a debate of the so-called hypocrisy of the Left or the so-called blind support of Robertson and Duck Dynasty by the Right. What I want to do here is just say a few things about the article itself, written by Drew Magary. It is always important to get a little context to such a vehement debate. You can read it here.

I think the purpose of this article is very straightforward. The author shows that Robertson is not only a man of strong convictions (again…whether you agree with them or not…), but he is a man whose understanding of the world is very black and white, cut and dry, and very simplistic. For Robertson, there is very little, if any, room for grey. Repeatedly, the author inserts quotes from Robertson that reminisce of what he believes to be the “good ol’ days.”

Intermingled with this presentation, the writer interjects his thoughts and opinions, and the writer uses these at times to question Robertson’s worldview. For example, at one point in the article, Magary recounts a rant by Robertson on the theological heritage of America. During that rant, Magary quotes Robertson as he addresses the moral laxity of American society, “Everything is blurred on what’s right and wrong…Sin become fine.” To this, Magary interjects, “What, in your mind, is sinful.”

…and then we read some of the famous quotes….

The final words of the article are particular telling. Essentially, Magary asks if Robertson’s desire for a simple life, driven by Christian principles, is even possible. Tellingly, Magary does not think so, as he resigns himself to the “godless part of America that Phil is determined to save.”

So again, what about this article? What should we be taking away from it? I wish I could say that we should set aside the conversation of Robertson’s supposed bigotry or prejudice, but we can’t. The reality is that his explicit commentary and imagery of the homosexual lifestyle is too much to be ignored. As I have said before, Robertson is at fault for this. He was too graphic to help any conversation that could have been fruitful. But this brings me to the point that I want to talk about just briefly…his roughness, coarseness, and black and white worldview.

The article also talks about pre-Christian Robertson. In particular, Magary recounts the story when Robertson badly beat a bar owner, so bad that he had to flee the state. If it were not for money exchanging hands and the negotiations of Robertson’s wife, Robertson would have likely landed in jail. Robertson also abused his family, pills, and alcohol. He was a mess! So what does this all mean? It means that this man is defined by his radical conversion experience. This is critical, I believe, to understanding Robertson and his worldview.

Through my experiences, I have realized that people who experience a radical conversion experience often view the world in black and white and cut and dry terms. I have had the privilege of knowing a few people like this, one of whom I still know very closely. Furthermore, such people carry with them a history. Indeed, the Bible makes it very clear that Christians are a New Creation upon conversation, but the reality of the human existence is that those pre-Christian experiences have had an impact on our personalities, etc. So, I believe that we should not expect Robertson to be anything but cut and dry, coarse, blunt….and at times vulgar.

Here is the beauty of people like this. The Christian community needs people who have a black and white, cut and dry, and simple worldview. These people have an ability to cut through all the grey and remind us of what matters. Indeed, I would prefer them not to be at the forefront of media blitz, but the Bible is very clear that we are all expected to give an account of our faith. Nevertheless, when the grey becomes so much, that the lines of right and wrong become so blurred that any recognition of them becomes almost impossible, people like Robertson have an uncanny ability to give us an anchoring point…an anchoring point to recalibrate things and reduce the grey.