Applying The Bible to Our Culture and World

These are the opinions of Jeff Phillips, pastor of an inner city Southern Baptist church in the heart of the bible belt. These views do not represent Woodfield Park Baptist Church, Ashley my wife, our 3 dogs or 3 cats.







Friday, April 23, 2010

Glenn Beck to Speak at Liberty University

I'm a fan of Liberty University. I believe it to be one of the best Christian institutions of higher learning in our nation. So it was with great interest this morning as I scanned my Facebook page that I saw that Glenn Beck has been invited to speak at Liberty along with Dr. Paige Patterson at the schools commencement ceremonies this year. I often watch Beck on Fox News. I agree with many views that he holds. I realize he is extremely popular with many political conservatives. He is entertaining and informative. But a controversy has broken out. Why you may ask? I thought Liberty embraced conservative views? I thought they would be in accord with Beck on many of his opinions. Why the controversy? Glenn Beck is a professing Mormon.

The debate that is going on takes two points of view. One view sees no problem having a Mormon speak as they feel Beck will challenge them and that we need to have an open mind. The other view is that as a Mormon Beck is a member of a false religion. Yesterday we spoke of the "big tent" philosophy that many who claim the mantle Christian are espousing. This philosophy believes that even if we have fundamental doctrinal differences, even regarding who Jesus and God are, we can come together in Christian fellowship around the things we do agree upon. I believe this approach to be flawed, as I believe Liberty University's decision to bring in Beck is flawed.

There is no debate that Mormon's and those who hold to the traditional, biblical view of Christianity worship a different God and preach a different Jesus. Mormons place equal stature upon the Book of Mormon, an extra-biblical, heretical text, and the bible. The differences are numerous, but among things Mormon's believe and espouse are that Jesus and Satan were brothers; that they are a lost tribe of Israel, even though none of the genetic markers that identify a person as Jewish is found among them; that we will one day all be gods with our own planet to be steward of. This is radically different from what the bible teaches. So why would a self proclaimed Christian university ask someone who follows "another gospel" and embraces "another Jesus," someone Paul says should be "accursed(Galations 1:8-9)," to speak?

That is the question I am struggling with. While I am sure no one in the hierarchy at Liberty believes Mormonism is anything other than a false religion, why not bring in someone who espouses true Christian beliefs to address political issues as I'm sure Beck will. From Fox News Britt Hume would have been an excellent choice. Why open the university, and to a greater extent, all Christians, to the sort of controversy this selection will most certainly bring. No doubt Liberty will receive all kinds of publicity regarding the Beck appearance, but is this the type of publicity they want?

What this decision does is open up the door for non-Christians to bash those who oppose this selection with the labels of intolerant and bigot. And judging from Liberty's Facebook page, many alumni are taking a view that opposes this decision. Even though it will not be the intent, will not the Beck selection offer an endorsement of Mormonism from the school in some peoples eyes. If the speaker were not someone as famous as Beck who was a Muslim, a Hindu, a Jehovah's Witness, a Scientologist who espoused conservative politics would so many Christians be so receptive of the decision?

I have nothing against Glenn Beck. But is it biblical for us as Christians to elevate and give a platform to someone who is a member of what many consider a cult? It is not intolerant to say that one can be saved and right with God only through faith in the Jesus of the bible. We are not bigots because we profess that Jesus is the only way to the Father. Have our political views trumped our desire to exalt Jesus Christ above all others, even our country? I believe Christians should be active in politics, but not at the cost of the cause of Christ. We are not told to win elections or support a particular political party in the bible. We are commanded to make disciples. How can having a person who practices a false religion speak at one of the leading Christian universities in our nation help accomplish this?

I expect alot of media attention for this. The secular media will try to demonize Liberty as they have Beck because of the political differences. The Christian media will rightfully question the wisdom and discernment of Liberty. When the secular media picks up on the Christian views they will use it in an attempt to once again paint all of Christianity as intolerant and bigots. Is this choice really worth all of that?

2 comments:

  1. As an adult Liberty student,I am appalled by the decision to have Beck at the commencement ceremonies. Not only is he a professing Mormon, but he has been on record many times saying he's an entertainer and doesn't care about the division and hatred his words stir up He's an act, a talking haircut that exists to get ratings. For crying out loud, when we was on CNN, he talked as liberal as they come, but quickly changed his tune when the fat paychecks starting come from FOX News. He's a fraud and has no place on Liberty's platform.

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  2. I'm also very dissapointed in the lack of wisdom and discernment the staff at Liberty has shown. I had my differences with Jerry Falwell, Sr. on how he went about things sometimes. I think he became to political towards the end of his life. That political agenda seems to still be very present at Liberty. That said, I could never see Falwell, Sr. asking a Mormon to speak at Liberty

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