All About GOD - Growing Relationships with Jesus and Others
Is Glenn Beck a Christian?
Brothers and sisters, this is an up-to-date firestorm controversy that I need your help on. Glenn Beck was recently joined by several Evangelical well-respected leaders in a sort of Evangelical rally at the Mall this last weekend. I am pasting a tape of his apparent testimony and I'm sure you have already seen much of the coverage of the rally. Evangelical leaders are greatly divided over the issue of whether or not to support him in his effort to get a Spiritual revival started in America. I am asking for your advice in this matter.
Remember, Glenn Beck is a declared Mormon. Take a look at the video if I can get it on. If not I will past the link and ask someone to put it on. Thanks and God bless you.
Roy
Remember, Glenn Beck is a declared Mormon. Take a look at the video if I can get it on. If not I will past the link and ask someone to put it on. Thanks and God bless you.
Roy
Views: 1088
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by RoyW on
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Rita,
There are two leading Evangelicals in our nation that I have a lot of respect for. They were both invited to stand behind Glenn Beck at his recent rally. One consented while the other did not. He felt that since it was a religious event more so than a political rally, it would be improper for him to do so. One is a friend. I agreed with him that we need more information than what Beck has given us to know if he is truly a Christian or not. The other Evangelical has openly acknowledged Beck's salvation.
I have great respect for both of these men. I do not want more divisions but here is one that is truly developing. First, I think we need to pray. I pray that Beck will denounce his Mormon beliefs. But, if he doesn't, I pray that the Evangelical community will rally around God's Word acknowledging the true nature of our Lord Jesus Christ. I personally cannot accept his testimony of salvation without knowing he rejects the Mormon doctrine concerning the nature of Christ.
Roy
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Permalink Reply by Rita Cullimore on
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Quot of David
"Glenn sounds like he has had an experience with God, but I have not found him saying that Jesus is his Lord and savior, but only God knows his heart. I hope he is saved. I do pray God will lead him to a healthy place to fellowship in due time."
David, maybe you need to hear Glen's confession again. I think you missed something the first time around. Glen did confess Jesus as his Savior.
41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. 42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. 43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
The Holy Bible : King James Version. electronic ed. of the 1769 edition of the 1611 Authorized Version. Bellingham WA : Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1995, S. Lk 23:41-43
The thief on the cross didn't renounce his life of thievery yet Christ said he would be in paradise with Him that very day. He simply said he was receiving his just reward in the crucificion.
I didn't hear Glen speak one word on this video to say anything, negatively or positively about the Mormon religion. But he did make his confession. I don't expect the Holy Spirit to be less on him than on you or me. The Holy Spirit will correct Glen where he errs.
Until Glen beck shows me that he is playing both sides, I will believe he is a Christian.
We are always so busy taking the speck from another's eye that we miss the log in our own.
Judgment is Mine, sayeth the Lord...
The comments posted under this topic are judgment...not discernment.
Blessings,
Rita
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Rita,
The question we are dealing with is probably a much greater one than Glenn Beck. Is everyone that names Jesus as His Savior Christian? That would mean that all Mormons are saved for they do claim Jesus as their Savior. You are picking out one Mormon that we all like very much and saying you believe He is a Christian. But, so far, as far as I know, he has not done anything more than what his church already does. Is the church going too far by demanding that the Mormons accept the doctrine of the Trinity (this is a major difference)?
Are you prepared to say that the Mormon faith is Christian since they do say they accept Jesus as their Savior?
Roy
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Permalink Reply by David Velasquez on
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Rita,
You are absolutely right, I actually watched the video I am placing below, that is title Glenn's testimony and I did not hear him confess Christ as Lord and savior on that one, but he did on the one Roy placed here.
I really hope that he gets exposed to the false teachings of the Mormon Church. May our Lord guide him to all truth and a healthy church, because His conversion experience sounds legitimate. I believe God is able to save even in the midst of horrible doctrines who He calls. To the Mormon Jesus is radically different tho. I do not know much about this person, so I really have no comments about him.
Thank you for pointing it out sis. Love you and be bless.
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Roy,
What I am saying is what I HEARD out of Glen Beck's mouth was his confession of Christ, a confession that i will honor.
Rita
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Rita,
Here is a post from a former Mormon on their 14 articles of faith. According to him this is number 1.
The Fourteen Articles of Faith
1 - God was once a man who lived on another planet
This is the most important teaching of Mormonism. Nothing else comes close to it. We believe that God was once a mortal man on another planet who progressed by living in obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel he had on his world, then he died. He became a resurrected man and evolved to become a god. He is still married now (some early leaders say he is a polygamist) and created this world. We worship only the one true god, which is really one god among millions or billions or more. We believe that we will follow in God's footsteps by becoming perfect and we too will become Gods and Goddesses creating spirit children and peopling other worlds. The Mormon TV commercials showing family togetherness is the foundation for life in the next world - as a family - as gods.
Reference: Journal of Discourses Vol. 6 Page 4, 1844. Joseph Smith speaking:
"...you have to learn to be Gods yourselves, and to be kings and priests to God, the same as all Gods have done before you, - namely, by going from one small degree to another..."
Reference: Journal of Discourses Vol. 6 Page 275, 1852. Brighan Young speaking:
"After men have got their exaltations and their crowns - have become Gods..."
In number 3 on the origin of Christ he writes from Brigham Young:
Brigham Young speaking in the Journal of Discourses Vo1 15, Page 770 1853, "Now remember from this time forth, and for ever, that Jesus Christ was not begotten by the Holy Ghost... if the Son was begotten by the Holy Ghost, it would be a very dangerous to baptize and confirm females, and give the Holy Ghost to them, lest he should beget children..."
http://www.exmormon.org/fourteen.htm
Now, there are a lot of Mormons who say that they don't believe these things. Maybe there is a movement within the Mormon faith to come away from these teachings from Satan.
Now, this is from their website. None of the above is mentioned in their section on the doctrine of Christ:
Faith in Jesus Christ
A firm belief that Jesus Christ is our Savior inspires us to follow His teachings.
We often hear the phrase, “Seeing is believing.” If we take this idiom literally and only believe what we see, what would happen if we went blind? Wouldn’t we be able to believe anything, or know for sure that anything exists? We would be able to know the existence of things, but we’d have to rely on other senses. We can know that Jesus Christ is our Savior, too, though we can’t see Him, by exercising our faith. Faith is a spiritual sense that tells us when something is true even if we can’t see it, hear it, touch it, smell it, or taste it. Faith in Jesus Christ is a firm conviction that He is who He says He is and that He will help us when we need Him.
He is the Son of God, “The way, the truth and the life,“ and our Savior. Think of your closest friends. Do you trust them? Do you believe they will do what they promise? Why? Just like faith in our friends or family, faith in Jesus Christ comes from experience.
If we try to do something He teaches and it makes us happy, our faith in Him will get stronger. As we continue to live according to His words, we will feel our confidence growing until it becomes an active force in our lives, helping us make good decisions and deal with our challenges (John 7:17). Faith in Jesus Christ isn’t a simple declaration—it is a source of power we must renew every day by studying His words, praying, and by trying harder to follow His example as we interact with the people around us.
http://www.mormon.org/jesus-christ/
Should we as Christians demand that they denounce the doctrines of the Mormon church as listed above? Is there a movement within the church to somehow walk away from the lies of Joseph Smith and Brigham Young? What a blessed day that would be.
Roy
Roy
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Permalink Reply by JB on
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This is not directed toward any particular one on this forum. I just have two cents [sense] I wanted to spend.
Why not: before we get into condemning or trying to figure out with our finite minds: what it takes to be a Christian, and see what the Word says it takes to be saved!
Romans 10:8-11 (KJV)
8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Hebrews 11:6-7 (KJV)
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Luke 9:49-50 (KJV)
49 And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, “because he followeth not with us“.
50 And Jesus said unto him, “Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us“.
Or does it say we have to belong to a certain group, sect etc?
Or do we have to confess that we are not of a certain group?
It sounds like all we need to do is confess Him as Lord and believe in our hearts that God has raised Him from the dead.
Why do we have to add anything to it?
Also,
Ephesians 2:8-10 (KJV)
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Why do we have to get so religious about these things?
Acts 23:9 (KJV)
9 And there arose a great cry: and the scribes that were of the Pharisees' part arose, and strove, saying, “We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God“.
Will our decision; whether or not he is a Christian: have any effect on his relationship with God; or ours?
I would think this could be very confusing to a new comer to this site: trying to find his way to salvation through Christ.
Saying ; What must I do to be saved??
Joe
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Joe,
Are you saying that the doctrines of Christ and God are not that critical? Why would it be important to spend hours and hours of time studying His Word to declare to the world Jesus as He has been presented to us by the Holy Spirit. Is that first chapter in John important or is it not that important?
Here are some things that we know:
1 Jn 5:18-21
18 We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the one who was born of God keeps him safe, and the evil one cannot harm him. 19 We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. 20 We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true — even in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.
21 Dear children, keep yourselves from idols. NIV
Either Jesus is the true God or He is not. I am not ready to say that this doctrine is not all that important. I think it is the most important thing we believe. He is more that the Son of God, He is God the Son. I believe this is a very critical doctrine.
Every verse you have listed above is very important, but without knowing who Jesus really is, I think of little effect.
I do not believe you have to belong to a certain group but you do have to believe in Him as the ETERNAL God, a critical part of the Godhead. Is that right or not?
Roy
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Permalink Reply by Richard L. Broch, Sr. on
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Lively discussion, Roy. I`m really impressed with all of the interesting viewpoints, particularly those illustrated with Scripture, from the Brothers and Sisters. We all have our interpretations and opinions, which have been going on since year one. And that`s o.k. as long as we agree to disagree. As much as I`d like for it to happen - everybody doesn`t see things my way.
So, let me add my two coins to this situation.
Actually, I don`t agree completely with many of the "name" evangelists circulating today. Most points are trivial, but some issues are close to being doctornal. But, I`m not going to dismiss them out of the Body because,"We must all appear before the judjment seat of Christ; that everyone may receive the things done in his body, according to that he has done, whether it be good or bad."(2 Corinthians 5:10).
A spokesperson for Christ that doesn`t meet Biblical standards according to my interpretation does not receive any monetary support from yours truly. I pray for all Christians everywhere as we are instructed.
Any evangelist or church leader who wants to blend the Word of God and politics into some kind of palatable menu is not going to cook for me. Glenn Beck didn`t ask me to appear at the rally (actually that possibility was zero), but if he had , I would have pressed home John 3:16 because of the tremendous opportunity that was there. It was not designed as a political statement. There were no signs displayed; no marked governmental criticisms, nothing like it for a long time, if ever, in this country.
Finally, I don`t believe that signs and labels necessarily reveal the true person. There are valid, bonifide followers of Christ Jesus
in various denominations, groups, tribes, and gatherings around the world. Why they don`t make their position crystal-clear is beyond me. They will have to explain it to the Lord though.
So, to sum it up regarding my feelings about the Glenn Beck issue - I`m not "throwing in" with him, (I don`t do it with any other human being, in terms of being a follower). My heart is not there, so my money won`t be either. I will pray for him. And mostly I will be watching........ watching to see how God leads in all this.
Grace and Peace.
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So, did anyone catch Fox News Sunday with Chris Wallace? It was hilarious. Beck said some things he shouldn't have said then he went on to say, " 'Racist' was — first of all, it shouldn't have been said. It was poorly said. It was — I have a big, fat mouth sometimes and I say things, and that's just not the way people should behave."
The man just doesn't hold much back. I would really like to get him into the fold of the church. But again, that is up to God. People either love him or hate him. He doesn't leave you wondering where he stands. I have a feeling that because of the firestorm with the Evangelical ranks, he will be addressing the problem.
About the rally: some say that the rally had around 300,000. If so this would be on the largest rallies in recent history held on the Capitol grounds. Napolitano of Fox News claims Beck's rally "largest gathering in American history, largest political gathering in 40 years."
Some estimates were much lower depending on whether or not the news agency wanted to diminish the seriousness of the people's uprising to recent socialistic movements within our government.
Whatever your feeling is on recent events, there are a lot of people very upset in our country. We may be entering an era where people are not nearly as concerned about doctrinal differences as they align themselves together for the common good. This can either be a good thing or a bad thing. The call is to bring America back to the faith of our fathers who founded our country.
Do you love America? America is in serious trouble. What will be the result of this movement which seems to be bringing together those who are very patriotic remains to be seen. Is it that the political left underestimated the wrath of those people who feel their country is being taken from them.
Was America once a Christian nation? There certainly were many among those who founded our country who claimed Jesus as their Savior. At one time Americans revered the Word of God. It was on every teacher's desk in America. Today, children get into trouble for wearing a verse on their t-shirts that display verses on them.
If God is using Glenn Beck to answer the cries of many who long for a return to honor in our country, I am happy. I will continue to pray for him to fulfill whatever it is God is using him for. I do hope to be soon able to call him my brother.
Roy
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David,
You are amazing. Thank you for putting this up. What a reflection of one that God is using for His purpose. As I listened very carefully to his words, I realized he doesn't even realize what is happening. I think God is using him because he literally is not afraid to say anything. Then, like the racist remark, will retract something that perhaps he shouldn't say. This is what is wrong with American politics. That is also why so many were attracted to Palin. There is a void in our country that people don't even understand. For decades we have been taught in our nation's classroom (and I know I always go back to this but I really thing this is a key point to our problem) that God is not a reality, than man does not have a purpose, and that we are just a bunch of mistakes (that is the ultimate doctrine of evolution) that are groping around trying to find our way. I think finally people might just be getting tired of that nonsense that has been shoved down our throats for years. I get sickened by all our Christian religious leaders that don't seem to have enough gumption to stand up and speak against what is wrong with our country. I am sickened by our mega churches that are not speaking to the problems of our nation.
Did I miss something or is not our Bible one that speaks to a nation? Where are all our Christian leaders? Maybe these guys who are aligning with Beck are not compromising their Christian beliefs but realize the Christians are not doing the job. How is it possible that we who are the great majority have been stared down by a small minority that call themselves scientists but are nothing more than wolves in sheep's clothing? We send our children to an institution that has been redesigned over the last few decades to destroy faith in God. Yes, I praise God for every Christian school teacher out there. But how do we think we are not going to pay a price by supporting a system that supports only the anti-God faith and refuses to acknowledge God in anyway. In my town, teachers are not even allowed to use the word Christmas.
I listen to pastor after pastor after pastor who have their ducks in a row when it comes to theology yet refuse to speak out against this atrocity out of fear that it might offend someone in the church. No wonder God had to raise up a Mormon. There are many things wrong about our country (and the greatest problems are not economic), but who is speaking up? It is a Mormon and I say God bless him for doing so. He will not change in any way my beliefs. I just don't see where he can do a lot more damage than what is already been done. God just might be stepping out of the Christian church because they are so unwilling to be salt and light in their communities. When is the last time you heard a sermon on the evils that are coming into our homes through the medium of television?
We get so concerned about offending someone that we hesitate sometimes to speak the truth. Speak the truth in love. Someone mentioned on a post that they didn't want to offend me. Listen, if I'm wrong or heading in the wrong way, please offend me. I'll get over it.
There are some wonderful souls out there that are not afraid to speak the truth and I commend them for that. However, most Christians I come into contact with have become so loving that they hesitate to speak truth to avoid offending someone. I don't think that is love as much as it is this new toleration theology that has hit America.
Pastors, when you get up and hit on Mormonism (that's one that we are not afraid of), also hit on what is going on in our schools and what is coming into our homes through TV, magazines, etc.
If your theology isn't changing your culture, there is something wrong with it.
God help us.
Through grace alone,
Roy
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