Focus on the Family pulls Glenn Beck interview over his Mormon faith

Organization says differences between Mormonism and Christianity “not inconsequential”

Colorado-based Focus on the Family has pulled an online interview with conservative television host Glenn Beck after concerns were raised about Beck’s Mormon faith.

Why Christians call the Mormon Church a cult

The Mormon Church – officially, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint – considers itself not just a Christian denomination, but rather the only true expression of Christianity.

However, given that the theology and practice of Mormonism violates essential doctrines of the Christian faith — those teachings that make Christianity Christian, and not something else — Mormonism
  a) does not represent historical, Biblical Christianity,
  b) is not a Christian denomination, and
  c) is not in any way part of the Christian church.

Theologically, the Mormon Church is a cult of Christianity.

While the LDS Church has some cultic elements, it generally is not considered to be a cult in the sociological sense.

Explanation: Sociological vs. theological definitions of the term ‘cult.’

Research resources on the Mormon Church

Comments & resources by ReligionNewsBlog.com

Gary Schneeberger, vice president of media and public relations for Focus on the Family Action, said that “differences in the Mormon faith and the historical evangelical faith are not inconsequential.”

“We can, and do, gladly cooperate with friends outside of the evangelical heritage on common causes; but in no case do we intend to alter our clear distinction as unwaveringly grounded in evangelical theology.”

Beck has appeared on Focus on the Family founder James Dobson’s radio program, and has hosted Dobson on his own former CNN show. Beck is scheduled to debut a new program on Fox News on Jan. 19. Both Dobson and Beck advocated for Proposition 8, which banned gay marriage in California.

Beck’s interview with CitizenLink.org, Focus on the Family Action’s Web site, touched on his Christmas memories and his recent bestselling book, The Christmas Sweater.

On Dec. 22, Underground Apologetics, a Wisconsin-based group dedicated to helping Christians “defend their faith,” criticized Focus on the Family for not mentioning Beck’s membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in its online interview.

“While Glenn’s social views are compatible with many Christian views, his beliefs in Mormonism are not. Clearly, Mormonism is a cult,” the news release said.

Schneeberger said the criticism from Underground Apologetics had “nothing to do with our decision to pull the article from publication” but admitted that “some from our base” were concerned that the interview aimed to “signal theological compromise.”
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Focus on Family pulls Glenn Beck article

When contacted Friday, a Focus on the Family worker at the ministry in Colorado Springs, Colo. confirmed that the article had been pulled and read a prepared statement for callers who had called about the Beck article:

“You are correct to note that Mr. Beck is a member of the Mormon church, and that we did not make mention of this fact in our interview with him. We do recognize the deep theological difference between evangelical theology and Mormon theology, and it would have been prudent for us at least to have pointed out these differences. Because of the confusion, we have removed the interview from Citizenlink.”
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Because the offending article is no longer available at citizenlink.org, the Mormon Media Observer is reprinting it in its entirety from an archived record.
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