Should Evangelical Christians Attack Glenn Beck?
09/10/2010
So goes the healing at Human Events, an excellent conservative blog. Giles has his opinion and it is in support of Beck -- Giles speaking, apparently, as an Orthodox Christian.
As a retired minister of many years ago, I am fully aware of the differences between Mormon doctrine and Evangelical teaching. . . . . eyes wide open on this issue. BUT, Beck's rhetoric is hardly "standard" Mormon doctrine. Understand that Mormon teaching encourages exclusivity, not ecumenicalism. The Mormon Church simply does not reach out to Islam, Judaism, Catholicism, high church Orthodoxy, Pentecostalism, Evangels, and Fundamentalist but Beck's speech does.
How does a Mormon, Glenn Beck, get away with this, within his own church? Perhaps is it is because there is a difference between secular/political unity per the Constitution and denominational/religious considerations.
This editor, a conservative Evangelical who sees much room for improvement within the ranks of his Christian fellowship, sees Beck as an American brother. Beyond doctrine, he and I share the very same values. My faith as to such things as atonement, the eternal Sonship of Christ, a personal indwelling and the "right" church will be very different from Mr. Becks. But the American Experience is a political reality based on biblical values (whether Judea or Christian), not a Christian reality based upon political necessities.
If it is not, then national unity is not possible.
I remember JFK, back in 1960 and his election to the Presidency. He was the first Catholic. I can still hear the sermons preached declaring a potential Roman Church "take over" of the national political scene. That not only did not happen, nothing that JFK did as president even hinted at the possibility.
To raise the banner of fear over Beck or Mitt Romney (a Mormon, as well) is to pull the same rhetorical stunt as that of the JFK days. It is a little known "secret," but the silence coming from the Huckabee camp, a Baptist minister, is deafening.
We cannot imagine an argument against a Mormon being a political leader and do not support the notion that being a Mormon somehow disqualifies one from participating in the political process. Either we believe in religious freedom or we don't. It really is that simple.
I hasten to add that Beck is very much his own man in all this. I cannot imagine another Mormon giving the same speeches as many presented by Glenn. It is more than interesting that Romney actually "keeps his distance" from Beck, Palin, and the TEA Party folks. Midknight Review will support Romney, should he get the GOP nomination, but during the primary season, we will not. He is not nearly as conservative as we like. He smacks of GOP old school and we are staunchly opposed to that reality.
Understand that the only Republican we will not support, even if nominated, is John McCain. He's not a Mormon and we still don't like the guy.
So goes the healing at Human Events, an excellent conservative blog. Giles has his opinion and it is in support of Beck -- Giles speaking, apparently, as an Orthodox Christian.
As a retired minister of many years ago, I am fully aware of the differences between Mormon doctrine and Evangelical teaching. . . . . eyes wide open on this issue. BUT, Beck's rhetoric is hardly "standard" Mormon doctrine. Understand that Mormon teaching encourages exclusivity, not ecumenicalism. The Mormon Church simply does not reach out to Islam, Judaism, Catholicism, high church Orthodoxy, Pentecostalism, Evangels, and Fundamentalist but Beck's speech does.
How does a Mormon, Glenn Beck, get away with this, within his own church? Perhaps is it is because there is a difference between secular/political unity per the Constitution and denominational/religious considerations.
This editor, a conservative Evangelical who sees much room for improvement within the ranks of his Christian fellowship, sees Beck as an American brother. Beyond doctrine, he and I share the very same values. My faith as to such things as atonement, the eternal Sonship of Christ, a personal indwelling and the "right" church will be very different from Mr. Becks. But the American Experience is a political reality based on biblical values (whether Judea or Christian), not a Christian reality based upon political necessities.
If it is not, then national unity is not possible.
I remember JFK, back in 1960 and his election to the Presidency. He was the first Catholic. I can still hear the sermons preached declaring a potential Roman Church "take over" of the national political scene. That not only did not happen, nothing that JFK did as president even hinted at the possibility.
To raise the banner of fear over Beck or Mitt Romney (a Mormon, as well) is to pull the same rhetorical stunt as that of the JFK days. It is a little known "secret," but the silence coming from the Huckabee camp, a Baptist minister, is deafening.
We cannot imagine an argument against a Mormon being a political leader and do not support the notion that being a Mormon somehow disqualifies one from participating in the political process. Either we believe in religious freedom or we don't. It really is that simple.
I hasten to add that Beck is very much his own man in all this. I cannot imagine another Mormon giving the same speeches as many presented by Glenn. It is more than interesting that Romney actually "keeps his distance" from Beck, Palin, and the TEA Party folks. Midknight Review will support Romney, should he get the GOP nomination, but during the primary season, we will not. He is not nearly as conservative as we like. He smacks of GOP old school and we are staunchly opposed to that reality.
Understand that the only Republican we will not support, even if nominated, is John McCain. He's not a Mormon and we still don't like the guy.
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