By Rebecca Johnson // News // EEW Magazine Online

While no Christian is perfect, Ephesians 5:4 does condemn “filthiness” coming from a believer’s mouth, which is what makes a newly-leaked recording of sixteen-time Grammy-winning artist, songwriter, and producer, Kirk Franklin, so shocking.          

A viral, explosive, 41-second audio clip of the 51-year-old swearing and verbally abusing his son is making its rounds on the Internet. And it has left fans and ministry supporters torn, divided, and struggling to process the not-so-Christlike side of America’s most celebrated, self-proclaimed Jesus freak.  

No one, other than firsthand witnesses to the hellish relationship the dad has with his 32-year-old son Kerrion Franklin, could imagine the Christian celebrity calling his own seed the N-word, “B*tch *ss,” and ordering him to get his “skinny motherf*cking *ss out the G*ddamn way before I put my foot in your *ss...” 

The use of this type of incendiary language in a parent-child relationship, despite the shortcomings or imperfections of the child—even an adult child— is a classic example of verbal abuse, as it demeans, emotionally harms, and threatens the one on the receiving end. 

“I will break your neck, N*gga!” Kirk can be heard yelling. “Don’t you ever disrespect me!” 

The heated exchange, posted on Instagram by Kerrion, gives the public a glimpse of the private character, behaviors, and issues of Kirk, the public figure, revered globally for uplifting the masses through his award-winning music. 

In 2020, Kirk was featured on the Oprah Winfrey Network as part of a Black fatherhood special titled, “They Call Me Dad.” The one-hour inspirational program gave viewers an inside look at the special bond dads have with their children and showed famous Black fathers away from the spotlight being loving dads. The episode featuring Kirk highlighted his tight relationship with his youngest son, Caziah Franklin, who was leaving home for college. But the beautiful bond shared between Caziah and Kirk is nonexistent between Kerrion and Kirk. 

“For many years, we have had a toxic relationship with him as a family,” a somber-looking Kirk said in an apology video posted on his official Twitter page Saturday, March 13, hours after the audio was shared on social media. 

“We’ve tried for many years through counseling, through therapy, to try to rectify this private family matter,” Kirk continued.

Though the global superstar did not share the greater context of the ugly, cringe-worthy conversation, Kirk did admit that he had an “argument,” “felt extremely disrespected,” “lost my temper,” and “said words that are not appropriate.”  

It is worth noting that while Kirk did “sincerely apologize” to his fan base for the disgraceful words he uttered in anger, he did not apologize to his son Kerrion. 

“This is why I’m done. No father should speak to their children like this,” wrote Kerrion in the caption alongside the audio clip he publicly released Saturday, noting that he received “no apology,” and “no compassion" from his father.  

“I don’t think I’ll ever trust my father to be alone around him ever again,” continued the estranged son, adding, “I didn’t want to do this.” 

Public responses to the controversial clip have been mixed, with some condemning Kirk, others offering prayer, and still others saying the musician does not owe the public an explanation or apology. 

“If this is how you are when you lose your temper, then it’s not the first time you've done this or the first person you've done it to,” said one follower in Kirk’s comment section. “Don't listen to people telling you that this was okay or that you didn't owe anyone an apology. This is not okay.” 

Another said, “His public platform was not built on integrity and character but built on his faith and love for Jesus. He is a flawed human being as we all are. I'm sure he has repented in line with his faith and love, and it is up to us as Christians to forgive and support a brother in Christ.” 

To conclude his apology video, Kirk confessed, “I’m human, and I’m going to make mistakes, and I’m trying to get it right.” 

The “Good Words” podcast host, whose use of bad words has garnered much criticism, ended the video with a plea for prayer.

Because Kirk gives hopeful messages, teaches grace and compassion, and has publicly criticized leaders he views as abusive and manipulative, any evidence that he is being abusive and manipulative to his own flesh and blood behind closed doors is both shocking and disappointing, and serves to undermine his ministry platform.