Couldn’t one just believe, non-biblically?
It seems to me that I disagree mostly with Beck on doctrine, not on the basics about Christianity.
First, Glenn Beck has communicated the Gospel on his radio show and television program. The Gospel he proclaimed was NOT consistent with the teachings of the Mormon church. From what I heard, his understanding was consistent with Evangelical doctrine.
Second, I believe there is A truth and his name is Jesus Christ. This gives me hope when I see an ecumenical gathering. Such gatherings give me pause because, like Dr. Mohler, there is a risk the Gospel will be watered down to accommodate the largest number of people. However, truth is truth and the Truth is the light of men so I am confident it will win in the end. That gives me peace.
There were many speakers at the rally who expressed there faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior. I did not hear one sentence that communicated a Mormon understanding of Jesus and the Bible.
We used to have a generic civil religion in America, based on an undefined commitment to the country’s Judeo-Christian heritage, under a very big tent. Minimally, that’s what people want to see again. Protestants, Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, Jews, Mormons, etc., etc., can and should work together on that and save the debates about heresy and aberrant theology for another day. If we don’t, we will soon be living under something very different.
the Mormons have some weird ideas, but how factually correct about theological details does one need to be in order to be saved?
I mean, what was the theology of the paradise-bound thief on the cross next to Christ?
Glen Beck was raised as a Roman Catholic as I recall. I believe that he knows and understands Chrisianity perfectly well. I would not be surprised that his conversion to Mormonism is as much to help his recovery from alcoholism as anything else. I really don’t understand the fear/distrust of Mormons that seems so prevalent.
In fact, they're more likely to be repelled by them.
What people do want, is a Savior.
If the Gospels tell us anything at all, it's that Jesus didn't save people by out-arguing the Pharisees (though he could do that, too, when circumstances called for it).
He saved people by being among them, sharing their lives and troubles, and by loving and healing them.
Perhaps Dr. Mohler should stop loving the sound of his own voice, and start trying to reach non-Christians in the same way Jesus did.
Theology is by nature, ambiguous. Beck was aiming for a higher goal, establishing common ground on the moral level that cuts across most religious sects and dogma.
I’ve heard Beck say that he became a Mormon just because of his wife - that that was her faith.
And yes, it’s troubling that Beck’s faith deviates a lot from the Bible, but as others have noted, he hasn’t incorporated any tenets of Mormonism, so far, into his speech.
I just pray that the many evangelicals with whom he’s surrounded himself will ultimately show him the truth of the gospel, and that he and his family will accept that truth.
....Mohler, one of the nation’s pre-eminent evangelical theologians, found that Beck's rally cries were resonating with many Christians.
"What concerned me about that event on the mall was not so much Glenn Beck and the politicians in the program; it was the picture of those religious leaders standing together," he said Tuesday on The Janet Mefferd Show....
...."The bottom line is...we've been used and we've allowed ourselves to be used at times by politicians and others who co-opted God talk," he said Tuesday on The Janet Mefferd Show....
....Americans from across the country converged on the National Mall on Saturday for the "Restoring Honor" rally led by Fox News commentator Beck. Reports indicate that the event drew anywhere from 87,000 to 500,000 people. Beck, a Mormon, was joined by a diverse group of religious leaders – including evangelical Christians – as he called on America to turn back to God....
....During Saturday’s three-hour event, over 200 religious leaders stood behind Beck, linking arms at certain points. Dr. Richard Land, a well-known Southern Baptist, and Bishop Harry Jackson of Hope Christian Church in Maryland were among the conservative Christians standing there.
Ping for later
Didn´t I also see John Hagee among that group?
Good grief. I think they’re stretching really hard here to find something to be “concerned” about.
Yes, it is important to understand the Christian Christ and Mormon Christ are not the same deities....his comment that the (Becks) language is there but the definitions are not is accurate.........It is not unusual for counterfeit religions to utilize Christian language to attract the unsuspecting. There is a natural attraction and familiarity which most are at least acquainted with, which can put a false front on most any false religion and many do use it...because it works that well to deceive.
It is generally not until one goes deeper into these counterfeits that the truth can be seen of their true beliefs...often by this time the indoctrination/ritual process has pretty much hood winked them and they are not receptive to more than the "group" determines.
Beck will in time come out of this organization as there are true Christians impacting his life. But it is never an easy thing to leave the Mormon faith as they are determined to keep their hold on their membership via the same practices of most counterfeit and false religions.
I understand the Christian communities concern and rightfully so, Beck rides a fine line now and should he use his position to recruit and promote Mormonism he will find the Christian community backing away over time. Currently I think most are in a wait and see mode but putting a 'caution' out there for people to consider there is a line. Hopefully Beck will not cross that line.
I did not see the rally but the concerns are justified if any of the following happened:
1. Did Beck propose to define God for the attendees?
2. Did Beck have officials of his religion there preaching for converts?
3. Did Beck and the religious leaders with him urge followers to create a new, inclusive faith to blend all the diverse faiths into one powerful church?
4. Did Beck give short shrift to any religious leader who disageed with his theology?
5. Did Beck condemn anyone who doesn’t believe as he does to Hell?
6. Did Beck utilize mind-altering methods to proselytize?
If not, then it wasn’t a religious ecumenical meeting and wasn’t a threat to any specific religion. If it was a general call for each person to commit to God as he or she conceives God, then I don’t see why people feel threatened by that. Something good happened here and I see far too many trying to tear it down. If it energized people to start thinking of how God might bless this nation to come through its difficult times, I don’t see that as evil.
But maybe that’s just me. I can certainly hear a call to holiness, whether it comes from the Pope, or a Muslim imam, or a Rabbi or an evangelical preacher, or a Buddhist monk. But I would then find holiness as I understood it in my own religious beliefs, not in that particular “caller’s” belief. Are we so unsure of our own beliefs that such a call would be threatening? As posters on similar threads have pointed out, God uses many means to bring us to holiness. If he can use a donkey as a mouthpiece, why not a talkshow host?
I work with Muslims with whom I strongly agree regarding technical requirements. We strongly disagree regarding religion.
That is how I feel about Beck. We agree on many political issues. But when it comes to religion, I am Christian while he is Mormon. They are no more the same than Christianity and Islam are the same, though they use similar language to Christianity to fool the ignorant. But ignorance can be cured. Mine regarding Islam was after 9/11 and it was regarding Mormonism back in 1980.
I’m glad Dr. Mohler is speaking up. I see this as a trial of God’s people, a temptation to follow a false gospel. I believe Mr. Beck is using the language of evangelicals to garner their favor, and with it their power, be it through popularity/listeners/viewers, or financial gain, or some other endeavor. I do agree with much of Beck’s stated political philosophy, but as Mohler pointed out, agreeing on political philosophy doesn’t give anyone automatic credibility when it comes to spiritual matters.
In sum, his goal appears to be man-centered rather than God-centered. I understand why. He has compassion for people and doesn't want to see them suffer. But, ultimately, everything is about God's glory and 1,000,000 years from now, the only things that happened on earth that will matter are those things with eternal consequences.
ping
**”Despite the pre-rally discussions of Beck’s Mormonism**
I wish all the media would get it correct. Beck is a Catholic, a lapsed one, at that, but, nevertheless a Catholic.
His wife talked him into joining the Mormon Church (guess who has the strong arm in that family? <sarc off)
The problem is the seeker friendly, prosperity churches that never teach the gospel or scripture..so the members are theologically, scripturally ignorant of the gospel or people that are willing to compromise their faith for politics sake..
God is jealous for His name ..and has no patience for false gods..