Is Phil Robertson like ISIS? Hardly ...
(File Photo)
Maybe
he should have said: "The best thing of all would be to lead them to Jesus, but
I have little hope that could happen. So, since it's a war they want, we will
bring the war to them." But that wouldn't be Phil Robertson - nor is it as
catchy as "convert them or kill them." "Read More"
The
moment Duck Dynasty's Phil Robertson said to Sean Hannity, that, with regard to
ISIS, you have to "either convert them or kill them," it was obvious that others
would pounce on those words and claim that he was no better than ISIS.
After
all, haven't these murderous terrorists done this very thing to the Christians
and Yazidis, offering them conversion or death? How is Robertson any better?
A
headline in the UK's Daily Mail asked, "Isn't it ironic, Phil Robertson? Duck
Dynasty star's stance on ISIS is 'convert them or kill them' as terror group
wages bloody religious war across Middle East."
A
caption under the video of his conversation with Hannity was even more direct:
"'Convert them or kill them': Phil Robertson takes radical stance on radical
Islam but fails to acknowledge his solution sounds like the religious war being
waged by ISIS."
Hannity
himself recognized that Robertson's words could be controversial, beginning to
inject the words, "That's going—" before the Duck Dynasty patriarch continued.
Later, Hannity said, "I know they're going to be people that are always looking
to jump on you and say, 'Convert them or kill them.' And they're going to say,
'There goes Phil Robertson again.' I know the media. I know they how act."
But
was Robertson's stance really comparable to that of the radical Islamic
terrorists? Absolutely not, although he could have found a better way to express
himself (in which case, though, he would hardly have been speaking and acting
like Phil Robertson!).
To
put his remarks in proper context, Robertson began by quoting a number of
scriptures, including the highly appropriate verse from Proverbs 8: "All who
hate me [speaking of divine wisdom personified] love death," his point being
that these are evil people bent on destruction and murder.
Hannity
then stated, "I think they are at war with us," and that's what Robertson was
responding to. How do you deal with people like this?
Robertson
described the terrorists as "street thugs on steroids," calling the conflict,
"worldwide gang warfare, but this gang is well-armed and well-organized,"
suggesting that "we're going to have to deal with this group way more harshly
than we have up to this point," which is actually the sentiment of many
respected leaders, not to mention much of the American populace.
Who
among us doesn't want to see these murderers stopped? Who among us doesn't want
to see and an end to their atrocities?
Dr.
Ben Carson remarked that, "I normally encourage conversation and compromise
where possible, but how does one negotiate or compromise with someone who
desires your elimination? Maybe if you meet some of their demands, they will
only dismember you or kill you more slowly." In short, "You don't negotiate with
people whose goal is to eliminate you."
Similar
sentiments were expressed in a petition launched by Princeton professor Robert
P. George, which stated, "It is imperative that the United States and the
international community act immediately and decisively to stop the ISIS/ISIL
genocide and prevent the further victimization of religious minorities. This
goal cannot be achieved apart from the use of military force to degrade and
disable ISIS/ISIL forces" (emphasis in the original).
Signers
of this petition not only included conservative Christian leaders like Jim Daly
of Focus on the Family and Russell Moore of the Southern Baptists, but Cornel
West, "a former Princeton professor, a radical left-winger, a member of the
Democratic Socialists of America and a frequent guest on MSNBC."
This
led to a Daily Caller headline, "The One Thing Cornel West and Ben Carson Agree
On."
Even
Vice President Joe Biden, perhaps reacting to President Obama's much-maligned
public indecisiveness, stated, "They should know we will follow them to the
gates of hell until they are brought to justice. Because hell is where they will
reside. Hell is where they will reside."
It
turns out that Phil Robertson actually responded with more grace than any of
these leaders, actually suggesting the possibility of reaching out to the
terrorists with the gospel:
"I'd
much rather have a Bible study with all of them and show them the error of their
ways and point them to Jesus Christ, the author and perfector of having your
sins removed and being raised from the dead. I would rather preach the gospel of
Jesus to them. However, if it's a gun fight and a gun fight alone, if that is
what they're looking for, me, personally I am prepared for either one."
Perhaps
if he had simply said, "The best thing of all would be to lead them to Jesus,
but I have little hope that could happen. So, since it's a war they want, we
will bring the war to them."
But
that wouldn't be Phil Robertson, nor is it as catchy as "convert them or kill
them."
Still,
the massive, night-and-day differences between Robertson and ISIS are clear:
They offer conversion at the point of the sword; he would offer it freely with a
Bible in hand. They slaughter innocent, unarmed men, women, and children; he is
talking about killing the killers.
I
agree with you, Phil.
Dr.
Michael Brown, a Jewish believer in Jesus, is a biblical scholar, apologist,
worldwide speaker, and activist. He is the host of the nationally syndicated,
talk radio program "Line of Fire," and he serves as president of FIRE School of
Ministry in Concord, NC, as well as adjunct professor at a number of seminaries.
He is the author of 25 books, most recently "Can You Be Gay and Christian?"
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Subject:
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Is
Phil Robertson like ISIS? Hardly
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Date:
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9/5/2014
11:15:01 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time
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Sent
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