Duck Dynasty, Evangelicals, and Media

This post will be painfully (thankfully?) short. I’ve read many of the articles already written about the Duck Dynasty hoopla (I believe that’s the word of the day).  For the record, I have never watched the show. I read parts of his interview and I am in the opinion that his words were crass in regards to homosexuality. As far as his thoughts on African Americans, they seemed incredibly naïve but I don’t believe racist. But that’s not what I’m writing about; I am thankful that evangelicals are addressing the issues that matter to the American culture in the media, even if the uproar seems misplaced.

One argument I’ve seen is that in a world where women are being sex-trafficked and Christians are being persecuted, we should be ashamed that we are wasting time and energy on Duck Dynasty, an issue that affects mostly our leisure activities and remote controls.  I agree with this general assessment. I think there will be a day when we see clearly the evil that surrounds us and we will be brought to our knees in prayer. I think we can be blind to the horrors around us because we are so distracted by stuff (television, leisure, etc.).  I am, however, thankful that media would include evangelicals in the conversation.  If our society is going to be in an uproar over something and gospel-centered evangelicals are asked to be on panels and provide op-eds, I am more than thrilled.

I imagine there will be future analysis over the Duck Dynasty controversy. (He is back on television, is that because millions of viewers sent a message to the network? Was it all just a ratings boost? etc.) I do hope that when the next controversy rolls around and the media is in need of a voice, we are there. It is an opportunity to be salt and light and share Christ to a broken and fallen world. That is what I saw as I watched the news coverage and I found myself praising God.  If this is what the world is talking about, I hope that we will be eager to shed true light on these issues. I can almost guarantee that a month from now Duck Dynasty will be but a distant memory—controversy lasts only a few weeks. But we will still have women being sex-trafficked and Christian persecuted overseas. So for those who are eager to see the same passion expressed over these issues, let’s pray for an uproar, but let’s pray that it lasts longer than a few weeks.

 

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