Tuesday’s post was pretty adamant that Glenn Beck is not a credible leader for evangelicals. Today I want to focus on why were some of our evangelical leaders present at the Glenn Beck rally.
A bit of my context first. When I first heard about Beck, I thought two things: “That’s the last name of one of my favorite professors, I should give him a call”. And second, “Wow, this guy is getting a lot of attention.” A short while later, I tuned in and thought, “Well, he’s got charisma, he’s entertaining but no one is going to take this guy seriously.” There was a brief moment that I thought that his show was a spoof on the Colbert Report spoof. A spoof on a spoof – that could have actually had the potential of being somewhat cool but I soon realized that I was completely wrong. But even worse, I was even more mistaken on how seriously people were taking him.
Fast forward to this Resorting Honor rally in DC where thousands of evangelicals gathered. For me it was jaw-dropping and not in the good way. Not only were people listening to this guy, but they were evangelicals. I began realizing that there were people I appreciated and in a few instances, even admired that liked Glenn Beck! But I am not sure what could have prepared me for when I learned of the number of evangelical leaders that shared the stage with him on that day.
James Dobson, John Hagee, Jerry Falwell Jr. – it was like a mini-conference of has-been and wanna-be pastors and leaders. I guess it figures they would end up at an event that began with word, “Restoring”. Beck even had a name for them – the “Black Robe Regiment” because historically, preachers who fought for morality wore black robes or something. Oh yeah, I think I remember Jesus wearing one for the sermon on the mount. Let me look it up in Matthew 5 (insert the sound of pages turning here), yep there it is, “Then Joseph Smith asked Jesus to take the stage. He entered in with his blonde hair parted, Birkenstock sandals, and of course, his classic black robe. His thunderous voice filled the air as he shouted, “Blessed are you who are tired of these liberals taking over Israel! It’s time to fight back and reclaim what was ours from the beginning …” (I’d go on but I’m sure you have heard this story countless times).
The humor keeps me sane and I have to say this reminded me of those one day mini-concert events that had a series of one hit wonder bands and a classic old band that should really just retire opening for a current headliner but they weren’t even the same genre of music. It was like Smashmouth, Papa Roach, Chumbawamba and Chicago opening up for … Justin Bieber or something. Really – how in the world can Hagee, Dobson and Beck share the same stage?Where was Kirk Cameron? And how in the world did Albert Pujols get mixed up in this? (Has he learned nothing from Roger Clemens? Stay away from Capitol Hill Albert!)
The ironies were even more staggering. None of these men are known for their ecumenicalism. Anything that poses a threat to their narrow brand of evangelicalism is inevitably struck down. So why am I bothered that some of these men have finally have opened their minds and shared a platform with someone from another faith? For one, i expect a little consistency. But two and more importantly, because I suspect their motivation for being there was to maintain or pursue power in the evangelical world. For whatever reason, Beck is the darling of countless evangelicals and these men want a piece of the spotlight and a turn at the mic regardless of who it’s pointed at. That is not leadership but rather the pursuit of vanity for a counterfeit kingdom with personal agendas.
Harsh – Why else would they be there? Was it because they care about the country and wanted to issue a call for Christian repentance but did not know how to organize a rally? Have they forgotten things like Promise Keepers? Or was it because they are riding Beck’s bandwagon? As always, feel free to disagree.
Keen insight as always, sir. I appreciate your ability to tackle the contemporary issues in American evangelicalism with discernment and poise. Your congregation is fortunate to have you!
Very insightful comments on Glen Beck, both parts 1 & 2. ‘skinda crazy world we live in, no?
Government is so important yet I am growing weary with politics. Much like news, politics carries a high entertainment factor, designed to keep you engaged, but not necessarily providing facts, truth or impartiality. Our society has moved into functioning and reacting on an impulsive/emotional level.
Rick Warren summed it up best in a tweet: “If every believer gave as much time & energy loving others to Jesus as many give to politics America would be transformed”
Let’s hope Pujols learned his lesson from all this. He is hitting just a shad over .100 since being there.
Conversation I had with some other Christians I know the day after the Washington rally:
Christian 1: “You should have seen it! Glenn Beck was wonderful. He had all these ministers, and now they want to turn the nation back to God.”
Me: “Don’t ministers normally want to turn the nation back to God?”
Christian 1: “Yes, but they want . . . I guess you could say ‘revival.'”
Me: “But Glenn Beck is a Mormon. He’s not really someone I want to listen to on matters of theology.”
Christian 2: “But he says he’s born again.”
Me: “I don’t know about that, now…”
And the discussion continued, with the others gushing as though he were a prophet and me winding up being written off as someone who apparently doesn’t want to turn the nation to God.
I still don’t know how that happened.
I enjoyed your take on the Glenn Beck Rally. I used to watch Glenn Beck and thought he seemed like a nice guy. He talked alot about his struggle with alcohol and his belief in Mormonism. Then he became involved with the “evangelical movement” and he changed into someone I don’t recognize. The fact is, I don’t recognize friends in my own church. I feel invisible. They just assume that because I am an evangelical, that I agree with the “road” they have taken at this time in history. All one has to do is listen and you can hear the voices of “hate”, judgement, and discrimination” that are becoming louder and louder from evangelicals. Even worse than that, is the “silent agreement” that is coming from its leaders.
Didn’t you leave out the part in Matthew 5 where Joseph Smith and Jesus lead a powerful rendition of “God Bless America”?
Totally agree: far too many Christians (many of them being Christian leaders) are motivated by pursuing or maintaining power. Bad news.
@Christopher – thanks brother – know that I appreciate that.
@Brian – didn’t see that Warren tweet but I agree with that. (I end up only appreciating half of his tweets). Interesting about your weariness though, I would have thought that you would have been already wearied by it all. You must have more patience than the rest of us.
@DL – wow, I did not know that. If that’s true, then why are you so bad a fantasy baseball? lol.
@Shannon – Shannon!! Hey sorry for losing touch but thanks for commenting. I have a few of those conversations but you are much more polite however. I think I would have lost it “a born again Mormon???” LOL – WOW, I thought I was finished with the Beck stuff but I may have to google that. (I really can’t stop laughing.)
@Janice – I really appreciate that, especially since it seems you caught him in the beginning. So you became frustrated as he wandered into evangelicalism. I hope there are many more Fox News watchers like you.
@Chris – Brilliant. As if studying in the land where my parents were born and raised wasn’t enough, with that comment, you just became my favorite ….
I think our relationship would be a lot more interesting if I would disagree more often with your posts.
Alas, I agree with the way you have approached this.
First time reader of your blog/Beck post, thought it had some funny thoughts. Since it is 2:45 am I will keep this short and to the point. I disagree with your negative take on Beck, I am thankful that whether you agree with him or not the man brings the facts to the show to back up his thoughts. I believe the reason that there were over a 100,000 at the Washington Rally and that his show connects with so many people is that he is teaching us our HISTORY of how our country was founded and how far off the path we’ve come from that. Please give the guy his due at least on that! I know he is a Mormon and know that is very scary belief system yet don’t see him advocating their views. Were all on the path and our knowledge of God evolves over time and hope he comes to see having 19 wives and all the other wacked beliefs of Mormons needs some changes.
Hey Kevin,
Sorry it’s taking me a bit to reply but thanks for reading.
I appreciate your take on him. Do you really feel that Beck is there to instruct us on our country’s history? To me, he really comes across as an entertainer who is angry at the same things that his targeted demographic is angry at. This is not to say that he doesn’t believe in what he’s saying (I’m sure he does for the most part) but he’s not trying to instruct is my point. Honestly, I think there are much better sources if one wants to really learn our country’s history.
But please understand my main concern lies with the evangelical attention he has received. Again, thanks for reading and commenting.
The below link has an interesting discussion about Beck’s revision of history.
http://www.patheos.com/community/jesuscreed/2010/09/15/becks-black-robe-brigade/
I have yet to see a Christian review of Beck’s lack of integrity and his fear mongering while demonizing President Obama. It is one thing to disagree with Obama’s policies, but Beck is not an example I want for my children. Beck’s behavior is not something Christians should promote