Glenn Beck discovers George Whitfield, But Not Whitfield's Faith

Everyone is talking about Glenn Beck's surge in all things spiritual.  It is amazing, and certainly part of his broad appeal.  The following clips from his show on 18th century evangelist George Whitfield certainly show that he is getting warmer when it comes to the true faith. 

In these clips Beck talks about how he discovered George Whitfield.  He then rightly says that if it were not for Whitfield, we wouldn't have an America to talk about.  The revolution would have never got going were it not for the revivals that came through the Great Awakening. 

Unfortunately, Beck has not yet discovered the faith that Whitfield's preached and made America.  Beck claims adherence to Mormonism, and Joseph Smith didn't come on the scene until 100 years after Whitfield.  What's more, Mormonism claims that Christianity fell into disrepair after the time of the Apostles and was not restored until Smith's supposed receiving of the "Melchizedekian priesthood."  (All this is to say that, according to the Mormons, George Whitfield wouldn't have been among the godly throng of orthodox.)

While these clips are interesting, I am sad to see that the "Whitfield scholars" talked so little about Whitfield's message and didn't really bring it home to Glenn Beck.  It would have been nice to hear them say, "Glenn, Whitfield preached that men were sinners who denied the true and living God.  They needed to experience the new birth and turn from their idols.  He preached that there was one God only, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  He didn't believe that they were three different gods, and he certainly didn't believe that we could become gods ourselves.  Glenn, you are right in saying that Whitfield's preaching is what gave birth to America as we know it.  And if you want America to really experience the kind of renewal you want, then you must turn from your idolatry and start to worship this God."

It's funny too.  Glenn Beck is so anti-tyranny, anti-top down government.  Yet, that is exactly what Mormonism has as its governing structure.

All of us ought to take heed though:  Its air preaching that changes hearts and nations.