Those are some very important questions. At this point a number of evangelical Christian leaders have indeed fully embraced Glenn Beck. Several weeks before the "Restoring Honor" rally, Glenn Beck sought out some of America's most prominent conservative leaders. He told them that he wanted to shift to more of a spiritual message. Beck said that he thought that is where God was leading him.
He wanted to know what they thought.
Instead of chiding Beck for his Mormon theology, most of the Christian leaders that had gathered (including Richard Land of the Southern Baptist Convention and Focus on the Family founder James Dobson) embraced Beck and encouraged him in his new direction.
"We walked back to the hotel after and said, 'That was extraordinary,'" Richard Land is quoted in the Washington Post as saying about the meeting with Beck. "I've never heard a cultural figure of that popularity talking that overtly about his faith. He sounded like Billy Graham."
During the "Restoring Honor" rally, Beck was careful to say that people should turn to God (rather than Jesus Christ), but otherwise his message sounded very much like a Sunday morning sermon.
In fact, Beck is now going out of his way to ally himself with evangelical Christian leaders.
Richard Land (who is perhaps the most prominent leader in the biggest evangelical denomination in the country) was among 200 members of the clergy who accepted an invitation to be part of what Beck calls his "Black Robed Regiment". The "Black Robed Regiment" is meant to be a historical reference to pastors from the Revolutionary War who stirred up opposition against the rule of the British.
But now Glenn Beck is enlisting evangelical Christians in his revolution.
And evangelical Christians have certainly embraced Glenn Beck.
Beck has appeared with prominent evangelical pastor John Hagee, and Liberty University actually chose Beck to address its graduating class a few months back.
The truth is that Glenn Beck is now very much part of the "in" crowd in evangelical Christianity. He has been embraced by top Christian leaders from coast to coast.
In fact, Glenn Beck has been leading the charge in recent days against Barack Obama's Christian faith.
On his show, Glenn Beck stated that most Americans simply do not recognize Barack Obama's Christianity....
"It's a Christianity that most Americans just don't recognize."
And you know what?
Glenn Beck is right about that.
Barack Obama's Christianity does not bear any resemblance to the Bible.
But most Americans would not recognize Glenn Beck's "Christianity" either.
You see, Glenn Beck is a Mormon.
Mormonism is not just another "denomination" of Christianity. It is a bizarre cult that becomes weirder and stranger the more you look into it.
The truth is that if you want to be considered a Christian, there are three core areas of belief that you simply must not mess with....
#1) Who God Is
#2) The Word Of God
#3) The Plan Of Salvation
Unfortunately, the Mormons are seriously in error in all three areas. Their doctrine is full of lies that directly contradict the Scriptures. Let's break down each of the three areas one at a time....
God
*According to Mormons, God has a physical body and so does his wife. They believe that God has a "body of flesh and bones as tangible as man’s."
*Mormons teach that God has not always been the Supreme Being of the universe, but rather that He attained that status through righteous living and persistent effort.
*Mormons reject the Trinity. They believe that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost are three separate "gods".
*Mormons believe that humans can become gods. In particular, Mormons believe that they will become gods someday.
*Mormons believe that Jesus was created by sexual union between God and Mary.
*Mormons believe that Jesus is a "god", but that any good Mormon can also become a god.
*Although some of their leaders now deny this, Mormons have traditionally taught that God was once just like man and that man can someday become just like God. Fifth LDS President Lorenzo Snow declared the following in June 1840: "As man is, God once was; God is, man may become".
*Mormons also believe that Jesus was married. In fact, some Mormons believe that Jesus had multiple wives.
*Mormons believe that God the Father is continually having sex and having more kids. Surrounded by a very large number of wives, God the Father is having little spirit babies which will inhabit the people born on the earth according to Mormons.
The Bible
*Mormons read the Bible, but they believe that there are other sources of divine inspiration as well.
*Mormons accept the Bible as long as it is "translated correctly" and "interpreted correctly" by their leaders.
*The Mormons also believe that the Book of Mormon is scripture. The Book of Mormon was supposedly "translated" by Joseph Smith and published in 1830. Joseph Smith claimed that the Book of Mormon is the "most correct book" on earth. That would put it above the Bible. The Mormon Articles of Faith say the following: "We believe the Bible to be the Word of God as far as it is translated correctly: we also believe The Book of Mormon to be the Word of God."
*The Mormons also believe in "The Doctrine and Covenants". These documents contain a collection of modern revelations regarding the "Church of Jesus Christ as it has been restored."
*Lastly, the Mormons also revere "The Pearl of Great Price". The Pearl of Great Price supposedly "clarifies" doctrines and teachings that were "lost" from the Bible and adds additional information about the creation of the earth. The entries in The Pearl of Great Price were produced by Joseph Smith and were published in Mormon periodicals of his day.
*The other Mormon books seriously contradict the Bible over and over and over. Mormon leaders get around this by claiming that the Bible has been "mistranslated".
Salvation
*Mormons teach that Jesus and Satan were spirit brothers.
*Mormons teach that Jesus and Satan both presented their plans for the salvation of humanity and that Jesus only became the "savior" because his plan was approved and Satan's was rejected.
*Mormons teach that the death of Jesus on the cross does not atone for all sin.
*Mormons teach that salvation can be earned by a combination of faith and "good works" as defined by the Mormon church.
*Mormons teach that there are "three heavens": "Celestial", "Terrestrial", and "Telestial". Everyone except the worst of the worst sinners will go to one of these when they die according to Mormon doctrine. So who gets to go to the highest level? Only good Mormons who get married in the Temple, keep the "Word of Wisdom" and wear their "secret garments" are able to get into the Celestial kingdom.
*African descendants were not granted full Mormon privileges until 1978. Prior to that time it was taught that dark skin was a "curse" placed upon certain spirits, presumably for some failure during "pre-existence."
This is the stuff that Glenn Beck actually believes.
As you can see, it has nothing to do with the God of the Bible.
Mormons reject the real God of the universe.
Mormons reject the authority of the Bible.
Mormons reject the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Therefore, Mormon teaching must be rejected and no Mormon should ever be listened to as an authority on God or on spiritual matters.
Glenn Beck should stick to talking about politics.
When Glenn Beck starts talking about religion, he steps on to very dangerous ground.
The Bible has a term for someone like Glenn Beck who believes pure heresy and yet sucks people in with his smooth words....
"False Prophet".
Glenn Beck is a Mormon.
Therefore Glenn Beck is not a Christian.
Glenn Beck has nothing to say about God that is of any value to any of us whatsoever.
Any questions?
13 comments:
I am NOT a mormon, but I was raised in a mormon family, in Salt Lake City Utah. I attended mormon churches until I was about 12. My parents are mormon, about 90% of my neighbors are mormon. I've never even heard half the stuff you say about mormons, some of what you say is true as strange as it sounds. But I was never taught that god had a sexual relationship with mary or that he has multiple wives. You also speak of "secret garments" I think you mean sacred garments. You are obviously knowledgeable on the subject of mormons but have made an effort to twist what they teach because you do not agree with it. Speaking of "false prophets" how do I know you yourself are not one? All I can really say is that if I was god, I would judge people by there actions and how they treat there fellow man. Not what organization they affiliate themselves with. Isn't that what's really important?
Amen!
READ MATTHEW 24:24 AND MARK 13:22.
I THINK IT IS POSSIBLE GLENN BECK COULD BE A FALSE PROPHET, BUT WE AS CHRISTIANS NEED TO UNDERSTAND THE POSSIBILITY OF THIS AND BE CAREFUL TO WATCH OUT.THE PEOPLE ARE AFRAID OF WHAT IS GOING ON. MOST CHURCH LEADERS REMAIN SILENT IN FEAR OF THE LAW.
BECK IS WAKING UP AND ENCOURAGING MANY TO GET INVOLVED IN STOPPING THE DESTRUCTION OF THIS COUNTRY, EVEN THOUGH HE SAYS HE WANTS TO STAY AWAY FROM POLITICS. HE WOULD NOT BE AS SUCCESSFUL IN THIS MOVEMENT WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF THE "BLACK ROBE BRIGADE". CHRISTIANS THINK IF FUNDAMENTALIST PREACHERS ARE BACKING HIM HE MUST BE OK.
I'M VERY CONFUSED HOW SOMEONE AS INTELLIGENT AS BECK HAS BEEN TAKEN IN BY THE MORMON CHURCH. THEY WERE THERE FOR HIM WHEN HE NEEDED A LIFELINE. I FEAR HE WILL NEVER REFUTE THEM. HOW CAN HE CRITICIZE OBAMA'S RELIGION AND ACCEPT HIS OWN.
2 Cor. 4:4 In their case the god of this world (Satan) has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
THE ABOVE VERSE ANSWERS ANY QUESTIONS ONE MIGHT HAVE REGARDING BECK'S BEING BLINDED TO THE TRUTH. AND NOW HE IS GOING BLIND.
I LISTEN TO HIM ON THE RADIO AND TV EVERY DAY AND AM HAPPY THAT HE IS INFORMING THE ELECTORATE OF THE TRUTH IN WASHINGTON.
PRAY THAT THE LORD WILL OPEN HIS EYES, AND PRAY THAT WHILE CHRISTIANS ARE READING ABOUT HISTORY THEY WILL READ THEIR BIBLE AND TRUST IN GOD, NOT BECK.
JUDY
Glenn Beck’s theology is based on First Century Christianity, not Fourth Century Creeds. For example, the Church of Jesus Christ (LDS) views on Baptism, Lay Ministry, the Trinity, Theosis, Grace vs. Works, the Divinity of Jesus Christ comport more closely with Early Christianity than any other denomination. And Mormons’ teenagers have been judged to “top the charts” in Christian Characteristics by a UNC-Chapel Hill study. Read about it here:
http://MormonsAreChristian.blogspot.com
Those who would denigrate Glenn Beck’s religion, usually have an ulterior motive. 11 of the signers of the Declaration of Independence were non-Trinitarian Christians. Those who insist on a narrow definition of Christianity are doing our Republic an injustice.
YOU MEAN CHANGING THE DEFINITION OF CHRISTIANITY LIKE CHANGING THE DEFINITION OF MARRIAGE?
The Bible states very clearly that there is a broad road that leads to hell and damnation. There is also a narrow road that leads to heaven and eternal life. To understand why we are narrow go to:
http://heaven77.50webs.com/broadnar03.html
I do agree with you that Glenn Beck is not a Christian, and he would better shut up instead of leading people astray. The Gospel is preaching is 180 degree different from the One preached by the Lord Jesus. When he said that: "people should turn back to God", but which One?? If he was a christian, he would have rather say: :"America should turn back to Jesus Christ" for He is God and the Creator of the universe.
What you are saying is that the academics,steeped in Greek learning, who convened at various times during the 4th century, were able to codify "Christianity" through rancorous, politicized debate. And, if one does not agree with their conclusions, he must not be a "Christian". So be it. I do not believe Christ made them the arbiters of His doctrine any more than you. What that means is that it does not bother me if you think I am not a Christian. You and others have equated Christianity to the creeds. Do you understand them? Were they even meant to be understood? For me, the only worthwhile definition of personal Christianity is this: "If ye love me, keep my commandments". That includes the Decalogue, the Sermon on the Mount and whatever else He wants to say, whenever He wants to say it. He is not bound by my interpretation, yours, or anyone Else's. Additionally, the vagaries in translation and selection from Hebrew and Aramaic, to Greek, Latin and English, in what you call the Bible are well known. Hence the interpretive disunity among the Christian sects, with or without the creeds. So, to condemn someone as un-Christian because he does not embrace the creeds or your interpretation of the Bible is intellectually dishonest and, well, un-Christian. I am a "Mormon" without hesitation. My Christianity is not defined by a blog post but how I live. I hope I can measure up to what a disciple really is today.
Most of the things you have written about concerning Mormon beliefs I have heard before from other sources.
bradford,a few things. its not academics in some century its what the scripure says. Truth vs un-truth. Christianity is not love your neighbor, loving your neighbor is something you should do no matter what. Christianity is being a follower of Christ, accepting Him as Lord and Savior. And with that, you know who he is. He is God, the Great I Am (Jn 8:24,58) A saying that is out there among christians is that Christianity is about relationship. 1st ur relatioship w Christ Jesus then ur relationships w people/neighbors. Christianty is ur words is not "how u live", but your relationship with Jesus-The way the truth and light, no man can get to the Father except through Him. JN 14:6
And you are saved through faith, in who Jesus is and what he did for you on the cross. "we saved through faith, and not by works so that no man may boast eph 2:8,9
a good website is carm.com
sorry thats
www.carm.org
also
www.waltermartin.com
THEM. THIS IS WHAT GOD SAYS ARE BY THEIR "FRUITS" YOU SHALL KNOW THE VISIBLE ATTRIBUTES OF A CHRISTIAN.
FROM ALL ABOUT GOD.COM
Galatians 5:22-23, these attributes are: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance. These characterize all who truly walk in the Holy Spirit. Collectively, these are the fruits that all Christians should be producing in their lives with Jesus Christ.
Love - "And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him" (1 John 4:16). Through Jesus Christ, our greatest goal is to do all things in love. "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails" (1 Corinthians 13:4-8).
Joy - "The joy of the Lord is your strength" (Nehemiah 8:10). "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:2).
Peace - "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1). "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit" (Romans 15:13).
Longsuffering (patience) -- We are "strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness" (Colossians 1:11). "With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love" (Ephesians 4:2).
Gentleness (kindness) -- We should live "in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left" (2 Corinthians 6:6-7).
Goodness - "Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power" (2 Thessalonians 1:11). "For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth" (Ephesians 5:9).
Faith (faithfulness) - "O Lord, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth" (Isaiah 25:1). "I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith" (Ephesians 3:16-17).
Meekness - "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted" (Galatians 6:1). "With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love" (Ephesians 4:2).
Temperance (self-control) - "But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love" (2 Peter 1:5-7).
We are in the end time! I have a blog that tracks daily the events leading up to nuclear war in the middle east that will eventually become Armageddon.
Please check it out.
http://theendtimesblog.blogspot.com
I believe that many of your are quite sincere in your confusion over what mormons are and/or what Glenn Beck believes. I would suggest that you study your scriptures carefully (not just read the parts that support your opinion), perhaps even read the book of Mormon (y'know….the source of their religious beliefs) and then, perhaps you should get down on your knees and ask God for some insight and understanding of what you have read. Isn't that what the prophets have encouraged us to do? Isn't that what Jesus taught?
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