Love Glenn Beck as You Would Love Yourself

I respectfully disagree with the idea of forcing people to give to those in need. I would hope that people would be kind enough on there own to do it themselves.

That distorts the issue we're talking about -- which is making things easier for the poor to get access so that they don't depend on charity. That is social justice.

I am blessed enough to say that I grew up in a Christian home. When I left home i questioned everything i had been taught. That was when I asked Jesus to be my Lord and Savior. I respectfully disagree with the idea of forcing people to give to those in need. I would hope that people would be kind enough on there own to do it themselves.

As a christian I am called to love Christ first, not man. Seek ye first the kingdom of God. This will be the foundation on which I then go out and help those in need. Christ expects me to know the difference between those truly in need and those that are getting a free ride. Hence If a man does not work he should not eat.

The best way to love Glenn Beck as you love yourself is to repsect his right to speak his mind.

For the same reason the Pharisees were accused of straining at a gnat and swallowing a camel. The fruit of a religious spirit is self righteousness. But true religion according to the bible is caring for widows and orphans.

Pharisees were able to hang their indignation on any number of points of law. But the spirit for why they did was clear. They lacked love. They were able to say, sorry we can't take care of our own families because the law requires we tithe and serve God. Loving the law without understanding the spirit of the law. It is an age old issue and I believe the leavening of the Pharisees has found its home with the likes of Glenn Beck.

Loving Glenn like myself means calling him to view the cross from eternity's point of view. That is what shook me loose from my rigid right wing ignorance.

One thing I know is this. When the lefty progressives are foaming at the mouth about something, that is what the people flock to. If yall are not complaining about it then we aint gonna pay a bit of attention to ie. the coffee party. YAWN. You see what you fail to understand is glenn is all about telling it like it is. And there is not one thing you can do about it but whine like van jones. And you see how well that worked for him. Bringing the hammer down. Cant wait. We got our popcorn ready. Peace.

"Rudy" has perhaps unwittingly served to illustrate exactly what Glenn was talking about. First, please watch the subject "controversial" comments in context:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5c4DqdleJuY

Glenn is perhaps guilty of not knowing that those on the "right" side of "social justice" also use the term "social justice", ala the Heritage Foundation. But from watching Glenn in context, it's clear that he's not talking about the definition of social justice put forth by the Heritage Foundation.

Please do download and watch the six part series linked above by Rudy. (Rodolpho) He actually appears several times. This brand of social justice focuses on relationships, family, community, volunteerism and getting to the root of the problem. It doesn't advocate for giant government health care takeovers, certainly. It doesn't fight against welfare reform, but is no doubt in agreement with there being an eventual end to benefits for able-bodied individuals.

What Glenn was talking about is the kind of far-left progressive "social justice" mindset in churches that pushes for government mandated redistribution -- be it in the form of welfare without end or union and Democrat party enabling health care "reform". Or any number of other forms of activism that always has at its root the empowering of the state over that of the individual. Sojourners comes to mind.

That's misguided both in terms of effectiveness, and maintaining the proper separation between church and state. If you want to go to a church that's essentially a PAC, whether right or left, fine. I think all Glenn is saying is be aware if that kind of thing is going on within your particular church and either work to change it from within or leave --- if you agree that it's improper.

Hi, I find Glenn Beck to represent a view you rarely find in mass media these days. He often places his comments in historic context and encourages his audience to read (a lot). I often find myself doing research after his shows. The historic prospective shows how I have often become a 'chronological snob', somehow thinking that ideas in the 21st century are better then those of the 1600-1900 period. Are we really so much better off?

I have read the comments attached to this story very carefully and it only confirms my belief that politics almost always corrupts our institutions. As a Christian, my political beliefs are informed by my faith; not the other way around.
It is the duty of every Christian to love truth, to let our light shine before men so they can see our good works and praise our Father in heaven.
It is for that reason, that I am very reluctant to join any Faith group that promotes "causes'' as its primary function. I believe they are almost always divisive and often a distraction. It damages the reputation of the true follow of Christ.

I agree with Carrasco. I watched the video series of seeksocialjustice.com and found them both convicting and inspiring. I'm reminded that justice starts with building healthy relationships in my family and community!

As for loving Glenn Beck, we should lovingly try to save his soul (from certain punishment) by showing him, in whatever way that will get his attention (pull his podium out from under him by boycotting his sponsors??), the error of his ways. Allowing him to incite and propagate fear and hatred is allowing him to pave his own pathway to Hell...and while it may be tempting...well...I would not want to be left to pave my own path in that direction either. Join me in giving Glenn Beck the "tough love" he so desperately needs.

let us hope this is happening!

How many people are you able to provide health to? I confess I feel overwhelmed to provide the resources for even one cancer or cardiac surgery patient.

Pastor Greg, thank you for your words of wisdom. l am a retired American Baptist Minister, now affiliated with a UMC church. I had the opportunity to do supply preaching in a nearby UMC church on Jan. 24. Luke 4:18 was included in the lectionary reading for that day. "No prophet is without honor savin in his own country," was also there. I don't hate Glenn Beck or any of his kind on the right. I just think they are misguided.They are not center right. Jim Wallis is center right or dead center. You can look at the comments on this blog and see who may be the prophets w/o honor in our own country. When Jesus brought up the inclusive nature of the good news to his listeners at Capernaum, they were ready to push him off a cliff. When Amos challenged the government of Israel, Amaziah (the king's prophet) invited him to leave Bethel, for this is "the king's sanctuary, and it is a temple of the kingdom" (see Amos 7:10-17). And the king's folks threw Jeremiah in a cistern. And tradition has it that Isaiah was "sawn asunder." Prophets are not popular when they challenge the status quo. Those who preach the nationalist gospel of "amerianity" (as one commenter on this blog signs himself) are much more likely to gain popular approval.

Indeed, that's precisely what Christians that consider Mr. bin Laden and anyone else their enemy are supposed to do. We are to give love and forgiveness priority. Love is after all the greatest commandment according to Jesus.

You're ignoring the basic principle of slavery, that nobody owns another or another's labor and wealth. But you ironically don't seem to have a problem with one person forcing another person to do something "good."

Nice commentary. I wonder if any of Glenn Beck's friends are telling him he also needs to love Jim Wallis as he loves himself?

Would you join a faith group that has a clear "mission" statement? If so, how would you decribe the difference between cause and mission?

I've heard it said before, but I'll repeat it here. The scandal in recent church history has been the dismal failure to teach apologetics, and theology in general to its members. Being mindless has gotten equated heretically in some ways with "having faith." The result? Christians start to look like mindless buffoons.

The notion of social justice as the tendency for people to give to charity or to help their neighbor is short sighted, and lacking in understanding the Gospels and Jesus' mission. I may give of my worldly possessions to aid the poor, but my giving does not address the systemic ills and sinful structures which keep the poor in poverty. Far too many make the assumption that the poor are poor because they don't try hard enough not to be poor. Certainly there are those who choose not to try, but for those who do the very best that they can and still cannot escape poverty, even with assistance, something greater must be done.

For example, I live in a major metropolitan area where one of the local governments has chosen to eliminate mass transit which serves a significant number of the working poor. These are people who are "playing by the rules", yet are having their only means of getting to and from work snatched away from them. My giving to charity won't help them, and I don't have the means to drive these folks to and from work. Social justice demands that we address the issue that will cause these working poor to soon become non-working poor because they cannot get to their jobs. Who but the government is supposed to undertake this fight? It is the very tax dollars that these working poor pay that should maintain this transit service, yet it is slated to be eliminated in 2 weeks time.

This is a social justice issue, and it is right and proper for the church to be engaged in this issue.

Great question! He is obviously quoting Isaiah and would have been reading from a scroll written in Hebrew which gives us greater context to the actual meaning and understanding of the people (in his hometown) of that day. Good News ( ?????? basar-See Strong's 291). I suspect that Christ was referring to "the poor" having a new understanding of who they are. I can't even begin to imagine what "good news" would be to the people living in camps today in Haiti or the Darfur regions of Sudan. However, I have mobilized our congregation to seek out the poverty stricken in our community (in backwoods areas-no water or electricity). Most have no education (cannot read or write) to even fill out a job application. We offer them food, we invite them to be a part of our organization (Many accept). We take them to apply for jobs helping them fill out job applications (many have found jobs). The good news to them is that there are people who don't see them as "poor" we accept them as human beings. They are not coerced into our belief system. The "good news" to them is they are accepted, loved , and they realize they don't have to be poor. My personal belief is that what we have experienced in our community is similar to the "Good News" Christ was bringing. The best part to me is that regardless of your political affiliation non of this involves the government (neither did Jesus).

Very good. Your response makes me think of 1 John 3:16-20. You have solid evidence of the love of God in you.

Do you also preach and teach the great gift of eternal life and forgiveness of sin? Do you tell them about the gift of righteousness that Jesus gave to us who believe that he went to the cross to shed his blood for our sins? That He rose from the dead for our justification before God?

It can be shared with all mankind without being perceived as coercion (sp?). Your works to meet their physical needs is a strong testimony to the veracity of what you might share or preach or teach about Jesus's redemptive work as the Son of God.

I will keep you and your community in my prayers as the Holy Spirit brings it to mind. I pray that he will prosper your community to continue its good works that glorify God and help the poor. God bless you.

Thank you Rodolpho for a very poignant, scriptural reminder. I was one of the pastors who wrote in (to Glenn Beck) via the God Blog website. I was called into the vocational ministry because of a concern for "Social Justice." Some days it tears me up to see The Church so divided. I take to heart the fact that Jesus said in his own hometown (quoting Isaiah) "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor." (Luke 4:18a ) to be my calling as well. We do need to also remember to love our enemies (even perceived enemies) and pray for those who persecute us."

Not to mention, the grossest waste of all, both in terms of taxpayer money and human lives, all around, so that only a very few can profit mightily - namely the endless war budget - the biggest in all human history and dwarfing the military budgets of all others on earth combined.

Holding up large placards in each hand of nazi and soviet symbols, and then "naming names" of those who threaten the financial interests of your employer isn't the grossest and most simplistic form of misrepresentation and propaganda?

Mr. Beck's program is carefully crafted to serve the financial interests of Rupert Murdoch. It's so sad to see people made merchandise of in this way, basically turning them against themselves. If Beck ever had an original thought that didn't serve those interests, suddenly Mr. Murdoch would find it expedient to have Mr. Beck's program terminated.