Jase Robertson, Duck Dynasty’s prankster and one of four sons of patriarch Phil Robertson, told a crowd of several hundred people in Warsaw Friday night that he’s proud of the what his family has accomplished.
Dressed in camouflage and wearing his signature black knit cap and sunglasses perched on top, Robertson spoke at a private Christmas party for Wildman Business Group at Warsaw Community Church Friday night.
Wildman’s corporate outlook embraces and encourages Christian faith and sponsors mission work for its employees, and Robertson’s appearance seemed to be a perfect fit for the occasion.
Robertson talked briefly about the show and his long scraggly beard – and of course, duck calls – but spent much of his 45-minute discussion on the subject of his Christian faith and the challenges that come with it. Robertson brought with him on stage a bag filled with a collection of different duck calls – some of which he handed out to audience members – and a Bible.
“Duck Dynasty” is on the tail end of a 11-year run and will conclude next year, and along the way has attracted record ratings on A&E as well as occasional controversy for the casts unapologetic Christian faith.
He expressed pride that the show’s millions of fans can turn to the show and see a family that prays together and have each others’ backs. “That’s why we continue to do this despite strong opposition,” Robertson said. “We’re just flawed bearded weirdos … that’s why we make great TV, but what is in our heart is way more powerful than we could have thought of,” Robertson said.
Robertson threw in dashes of humor as he talked about his family’s history, especially his father, Phil, who he said had not been a good man until he found God.
With a sense of plainspoken southern honesty, Robertson said he has never been drunk or stoned and did not have sex until he was married. He said he understands the pressures young people face when it comes to Christianity, but suggested they need to face it head on.
“Don’t be intimidated. Deep down, the people that are persecuting you – look, they’re scared to die. They got problems. They don’t have a purpose in life. They would like to get their families back together. Jesus Christ is the way to do it.”
Robertson also touched on the debate over evolution and suggested DNA helps prove that there is a higher power. “Who wrote the code? If you have code, you have to have an encoder,” he said.
He also addressed the fact that references to Jesus Christ were being edited out of dinner scenes when the family would pray – a controversy that “blew a gasket” with his father.
“Then he did something one time that totally changed it. You know what totally turned them around? He started praying at the dinner scene and he said, ‘I pray for these bunch of heathens who keep editing out ‘In Jesus’ name,’ and they never did it again,” Robertson said, drawing laughter and applause from the audience.
Ultimately, though, his talk was one of encouragement. “That’s my charge to you. If you haven’t embraced Jesus Christ, look into it.”
