As you’re about to see, this is exactly what Liberty University (LU) is doing while also defending their decision to have Glenn Beck speak at their convocation this past April 25th, ((http://www.liberty.edu/champion/2014/04/glenn-beck-inspires-at-convocation/, accessed 5/23/14.)) which I covered for you in Glenn Beck Preaches Mormon Theology and “Inspires” Liberty University.

Now, here at Apprising Ministries I’ve talked before about the indisputable fact that Glenn Beck fully believes the doctrine of the non-Christian cult of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the Mormons) (LDS). ((I’ve shown you before  why Dr. Walter Martin, author of the classic textbook The Kingdom of the Cults, labeled the LDS Church as such, e.g. in Mormonism First Attacked the Christian Faith.)) For example, in Apprising Ministries To Glenn Beck I told you that Beck is a baptized and practicing member of the LDS Church. ((Glenn Beck would have to be a Mormon of the highest standing to have had the Temple marriage that he describes here: http://bit.ly/1iDJtgD, accessed 5/23/14.)) Then in The “Jesus” of Mormonism a la Glenn Beck I showed you the Jesus preached by the Mormons, which is the one that Beck believes in.

In fact, you’ll hear Glenn Beck himself tell you that he’s most definitely a Mormon; and one whom you’ll also see, makes no apology for his faith. The point being, it’s well beyond any reasonable doubt that Beck is a devout Mormon; which is actually the key point in all of this. LU is “the largest Christian university in the world” ((http://www.liberty.edu/aboutliberty/, accessed 5/23/14.)) and, as of this writing, is listed on the official website of the Southern Baptist Convention as being “in partnership with the Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia.” ((http://www.sbc.net/colleges/, click Virginia, accessed 5/23/14.))

The issue is not so much whether people of diverse background should speak at a Christian university, that’s for another day; the point here is that Glenn Beck preaches Mormon theology at Liberty University. As we consider the following, now it becomes worth all of this attention because we find that:

Beck preached a sermon at Liberty University on April 25 that was rife with Mormon theology in which he showcased a valuable Mormon relic. During the sermon, Beck asked if Liberty students were willing to give their lives for their beliefs: “What are you willing to do? What is it that means something to you?”

Beck then told the story of Joseph Smith’s death (15:15-16:54), describing Smith as a martyr of the faith. According to Beck, a Sheriff falsely accused Smith of owing a debt for stealing a stove. “[Smith] reached into his pocket and pulled out his pocket watch…he gave it to the Sheriff and said, ‘I owe man nothing.’ They let him go. And they killed him,” Beck said.

Beck picked up Smith’s pocket watch, a Mormon relic, and showed it to the crowd: “This is his pocket watch that he pulled out.” (source)

If there was any doubt as to Glenn Beck’s devotion to the mythology of Mormonism you only need to see that section from the video cited above. In his passionate preaching, to my ear, Beck clearly portrays the vile blasphemer Joseph Smith—corrupt founder of the Mormon cult—as a Christian LU students should admire and emulate. O sure, Glenn Beck’s message was full of conservative values and talk about believing God. The question that needs to be asked is, which God does the Mormon Beck want LU students to seek? He does not worship the God of the Bible. ((As you’ll see in The god of Glenn Beck the Mormon god, who was once a man, bears no resemblance whatsoever to the one true and living God of the Bible, Who is eternal.))

Now you have arrived at the proper place of the battlefield to better view the enemy tactics perpetrated by the bombastic Beck while whining about critics like me. Glenn Beck declares we have “smeared, absolutely smeared [Liberty University], and they’re being smeared by religious people [who] claim to be followers of Christ,” No Glenn Beck, sorry about that; I happen to be an ordained SBC pastor and minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ whom He sent to labor among those who defend His Gospel through our online apologetics and discernment ministries. ((This short piece shows you the gospel of the LDS Church is not the same as that of the historic orthodox Christian faith: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints vs. the Gospel.))

I’m not about to sit idly by while LU leaders—who should know better—bring in false prophets, like you, who are then allowed to try and prey upon sheep belonging to Christ. In his self-serving diatribe below Glenn Beck boasts that, “Now, I’ve read the Bible several times and I just can’t find the place where Jesus hates.” Well Glenn, permit me to give you some of the benefit of my nearly 30 years in the ministry fields of Christian apologetics, Comparative Religion, and counter-cult evangelism. I happen to have lived near Salt Lake City for years, which afforded me the opportunity to study Mormonism personally with many LDS leaders.

First, from the official website of your LDS Church, here’s a bit about who Jesus is:

 Many people today are just as ignorant of the God of the Old Testament as the pharaoh was. They regard Him as a being created by the minds of the ancients, a God of wrath and low religion who would destroy people with floods and plagues.

Could this be the same God as the being of love in the New Testament revealed through the mortal ministry of Jesus Christ?… Although for many it seems a paradox, Jehovah of the Old Testament was none other than the Son of God, Jesus Christ. He created the world under the authority and direction of God the Father. Later, Jehovah came to earth as the Savior and Redeemer of the world. (source)

So, have you got that Glenn? Everywhere we see Jehovah (or LORD) in the Old Testament, we are dealing with “the Son of God, Jesus Christ.” All I have to do is to show you an instance or two where Jehovah, the LORD, hates and we can put your little tantrum to bed. You know, it really shouldn’t be that difficult for someone who’s read the Bible as much as you say you have, Glenn. Just consider Proverbs, chapter 6:

There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers. (Proverbs 6:16-19)

By the way, Glenn, those don’t bode well for the leaders of your Mormon Church. ((Often Mormons will complain of being attacked as we defend the faith against the divisive doctrine of Mormonism. However, as I point out in Mormonism First Attacked the Christian Faith, it was Joseph Smith and LDS leaders who fired the first shots. The LDS Church claims it’s a restoration of the Christian faith that had been lost; but the Christian Church had said nothing at all about Mormonism for over 1800 tears because it simply didn’t exist prior to 1820 at the earliest.)) And finally Glenn, let’s look at Isaiah 61, which in the Lord’s providence just happened to be part of my personal morning devotion today:

For I the Lord love justice; I hate robbery and wrong. (Isaiah 61:8)

That’s pretty clear, Glenn. The LORD Jesus hates that which is false; like, say, Mormonism. Glenn Beck goes on to say, “Oh, I can’t find the place where, where, He [Jesus] says, ‘You’ll know a tree by the fruit.’ I just can’t (dramatic pause) find (pause) that (pause) anywhere.” Leaving his aside your sidekick’s snide remark about Westboro Baptist Church, ((The comment is an ad hominem because Westboro Baptist Church is a cult-like group known for their extreme views. You may be familiar with their picketing and holding signs containing their mantra, “God hates fags.” They are not at all indicative of what genuine Christians believe.)) let me show you where Jesus teaches exactly that in the New Testament itself.

It’s in the Gospel of Matthew, Glenn:

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit.” 

“A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.” (Matthew 7:15-20)

Can you see now, Glenn? The Mormon Church is a diseased tree bearing rotten fruit; and God hates the wrong that happened at LU when their leaders let you preach your false Mormon doctrine to their students at the convocation. And what is more, we can be sure that the Lord hates the fact that, rather than repent of their lapse in judgement, they have instead chosen to defend it—even going so far as trying to convince us that you are a born again Christian.

‘Tis true. This according to Liberty University responds to complaints about Glenn Beck sermon at Religion News Service by Jonathan Merritt, whom I introduced you to in my earlier post Homosexuality and Jonathan Merritt. He informs us of “[a]n email response [that] was sent from the office of Johnnie Moore.” If you don’t know, Rev. Johnnie Moore, Jr. is:

The Senior Vice President for communications is responsible for advancing the university’s mission by raising awareness of that mission internally and externally, giving particular attention to the institution’s Christian identity. (source)

Following is his sad response trying to justify LU allowing a member of a non-Christian cult to preach about God without any further clarification for their students:

First, I must apologize for my delayed reply to you.  As you well know, we just emerged from an unbelievable graduation weekend at Liberty. We had more than 34,000 people in attendance and we celebrated the graduation of more than 17,000 students. It was quite the celebration, and it consumed my time entirely until this very morning.

Secondly, I would like to thank you for expressing your concern. Liberty takes concerns like yours extremely seriously, and that’s why I’m writing to personally address your concerns.

You should remember that Liberty University’s Convocation is not a church service.

We have explained over the decades repeatedly that convocation is an opportunity for students to hear from people of all faiths and from all walks of life.  Liberty has also made it clear repeatedly that it does not endorse any statements made by any convocation speaker.

By contrast, our faculty are all required to profess Liberty’s statement of faith and to affirm our doctrinal statement.  Our students are all required to take many credit hours of theology and Bible courses, regardless of their major.  Our students have no question about what Liberty’s doctrinal statement is.  It is posted publicly for all to see. Our doctrinal statement is our public statement on Mormonism.  It is the same statement that Liberty was founded upon and it will never change.

College is about learning.  How can you defend what you believe if you don’t understand what others believe?  I believe our students are stronger in their faith because of our convocation speaker series and the wide diversity of views that they have been privileged to hear in person over the last few decades.

Our president, Jerry Falwell, Jr. actually spoke to this during his remarks at our 41st annual commencement exercises this weekend. You can watch those remarks here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_Uz82ZHAHg (Preview)

By the way, many conservative evangelical leaders who are closer to Beck than me have told me that they believe Beck has had a born again experience recently. I do not know his heart but our audience knows that he was speaking only for himself and expressing his personal opinions and beliefs, not those of Liberty University or even of Mormonism generally. As Jerry Falwell, Sr., our founder, often used to say about speakers at Liberty who had different views than him, Liberty students are smart enough to eat the fish and spit out the bones! I believe that’s as true today as it was in his day. (source)

Instead of owning up to their sin, ((As James Duncan correctly pointed out, “[Glenn Beck] finished the sermon by saying, “I leave you this message in the name of Jesus Christ.” Glenn Beck was invited to a Christian university and was able to preach to thousands of its students as if he were a brother in Christ, when in fact he is a wolf and a false teacher. If Liberty’s administrators knew it, they did not warn their students of Beck’s apostasy, and in so doing flatly ignored Paul’s instructions on how to treat such teachers.”: http://bit.ly/1jFpHkj, accessed 5/23/14.)) notice that LU’s Johnnie Moore even goes so far as to try and play the “Glenn Beck is actually a true Christian card.” Really? And as far as “many conservative evangelical leaders” who supposedly believe that Glenn Beck is a born again Christian, perhaps Johnnie Moore’s thinking of James Robison Says Jesus Is In The Heart Of Mormon Glenn Beck or Word Faith Pastor Robert Morris Calls Mormon Glenn Beck A “Believer.” Well, following is Glenn Beck’s tirade and his further defense of his Mormonism. See if this sounds like a born again Christian brother in Christ to you.

And Glenn, if you really are a believer in the Jesus Christ of the Bible, the only One there is, then you have an obligation before God to immediately leave the Mormon Church and to publicly repudiate its false doctrine:

[mejsvideo src=”https://www.apprising.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/BeckLiberty.mp4″ width=640 height=360]

Further reading

• THE gOD OF GLENN BECK
• THE “JESUS” OF MORMONISM
• MORMONISM FIRST ATTACKED THE CHRISTIAN FAITH