Faulty Theology Leads To Faulty Conceptions Of God's Will
Glenn Beck has been stricken with a crippling neurological disorder.
The prognosis given estimates that he might have between 5 to 10 years before he is disabled or incapacitated.
In the announcement of his ailment at The Blaze, Beck confided that his doctors informed him that, if he did not stop working, his condition would get worse.
However, Beck did not believe that God was necessarily telling him the same thing.
Beck is to be commended for doing all that he can with whatever time he might have left.
However, who is not to say that such illnesses are not God's way of telling an individual that it might be time to slow down a bit or that their efforts are required in what to our mortal perceptions might seem to be less meaningful endeavors?
Then there is the truth so few are going to possess the courage to mention.
As a Mormon, Beck professes a belief in a seriously flawed understanding of the Gospel and divine revelation.
Not only that, but the power and knowledge possessed by the Mormon conception of God is not as complete or comprehensive as that postulated by more orthodox understandings of Christianity.
With these under consideration, how can Beck thus be assured that what he construes to be a divine urging for him to continue on at a breakneck pace really is an encouragement from the Heavenly Father?
And even if it is, what assurances does a Mormon possess that a well-meaning but ultimately ineffective God is even able to deliver for Beck the good that is intended irrespective of earthly outcome?
In such a situation, mustn't the prudent inquire if the compulsion Beck believes is driving him forward might just as likely be a malevolent force or entity attempting to both end Beck's work as well as imperil his immortal soul?
Frederick Meekins is an independent theologian and social critic. Frederick holds a BS in Political Science/History, a MA in Apologetics/Christian Philosophy from Trinity Theological Seminary, and a PhD. in Christian Apologetics from Newburgh Theological Seminary.