Beck, Baptists, and Bandwagons

I heard this past weekend there was a big rally in Washington, D.C., featuring a talk show host.  Sounds amazing, that a talk show host would draw such a big crowd.  I'd expect someone else, but the talk show host is a guy named Glenn Beck.  When I first heard of Glenn Beck, his network was in the process of launching his TV show.  I listened for a second or two, and turned it off.  Since then, I've heard a few of his opinions, mostly as a way of confirming why I turned his show off.  I found his logic more than questionable, his conclusions unlikely, his tone irritating, and his communication style patronizing.  Just me, I guess...

...because lots of religious people (like me) seem to love him, and are following his lead!  In fact, on the video from last weekend's rally, I saw lots of famous preachers standing behind Glenn Beck.  I saw John Hagee, David Barton, one of Jerry Falwells' sons, and a few other familiar faces.  I feel safe guessing that Dr. Richard Land was there somewhere, thinking he was representing the millions of Southern Baptists. (I later checked, and to my horror it is not only true, but he is one of the people out there on the media selling how awesome the rally was. *I give up.*)

I hear Beck is a former Roman Catholic and a practicing Mormon.  I also heard clips of him praying, and preaching about what is right and wrong in churches.  I think he must be a leader of preachers and churches now, rather than a talk show host.

Glenn Beck must have good credentials.  He must have some spiritual gifts and training that have been recognized by churches.  He must have a great Christian testimony and be involved in reaching out to those who don't know Jesus Christ as Savior.  He must have compelling ideas that are truly of God, since he has so many famous preachers standing behind him. 

It may be a matter of debate, but I'd guess none of the above are true. 

What is true is that Christians need to submit their minds to God, and must live and act and have their being in Jesus.  Christians must think, and must rely on their theological grounding and cultural savvy to assist in living out a God centered view of life.  Jumping on a bumper sticker bandwagon is no substitute.  To have a vicarious Christian life is to live on the ragged edge of disaster.

Sincere Christians must ask: Who is driving this bandwagon, and why?  Further, is it not the responsibility of famous preachers to lead Christians and save the world by methods more spiritual than those of Glenn Beck?

I'll conclude this ramble with Matthew 16:23: But He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God's interests, but man's." Not only this but also Romans 12:2:" And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."

God bless- now please go pray and think.

Happy because of Jesus,
Pastor James Jordan