Summary Opinion: The rally was definitely inspirational at times. It was very patriotic. Even from a participant’s point of view, there had to be some disappointments, though. For weeks, Beck promised there would be an Evangelical participant who would shock us. The closing would be a real tear-jerker. Neither of these things, happened, as far as I could tell. Like the Divine Destiny rally the night before, the messages were mixed and muddled.
The gospel was not shared by any of the speakers, in spite of the repeated mention of George Whitefield and the Black Robe Regiment. Why did Beck mention that Whitefield owned slaves (which is true), but did not mention any of the founders of our country who owned slaves, including Jefferson. It was a slam against a preacher of the true gospel. It demonstrates the overall problem with the rally. Though religious, the rally emphasized personal works, not the Work of God. Love of country was placed above Love of God, and never once was the thought that we might have to serve God instead of, or, over our country ever entertained.
The Ten Commandments were not read, so there was no Biblical Law given either.
Final UPDATE 20: (12:20 CST) Dave Roever closed the rally in prayer. Glenn calls people to “spread the word” after they leave. A gospel tune concludes the rally: Hallelujah, Thank You Jesus. Jo Dee Messina sang “Heaven Was Needing A Hero” and “America, the Beautiful”.
UPDATE 20: (11:55 CST). Mosques, churches, and synagogues must stand for the truth as long as they don’t preach hate. He discusses the Black Robe Regiment, preachers prior to the American Revolution, during the time of the First Great Awakening. He wants us to return to the Eternal Principles of God.
He at one point said that serving God was both a blessing and a curse. That is wrong. Though there are hardships sometimes associated with obedience to God, they are always accompanied by God’s grace and therefore are blessings themselves, not curses. It is true that unbelievers see things they must do, but don’t get joy from them but the believer sees all things as blessings from His hand.
It may also be that this statement reflects his Mormon view that disobedience in the garden of Eden was both blessing and curse, rather than curse. By constantly emphasizing the notion that we are given the choice to obey God or not, he presents a God who is capricious who blesses and curses for both obedience and disobedience. This is Beck’s muddled theology.
He tells us the story of slaveship owner John Newton. In a storm, Newton cried out to God “help us”. Newton was the writer of “Amazing Grace”. Bagpipes play the song as the crowd sings:
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
T’was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.
Commentary: The problem is that the religions Becks mentions don’t agree on what the Eternal principles are. They disagree on Who Jesus Is. They disagree on Who God Is and What He is Like. This is the worst part of the rally, and it is what will bring God’s Judgments. We cannot serve false Gods and expect a blessing. We must be reconciled to the One and Only True God, the Lord Jesus. Saying “God is the Answer” is not enough. It is a lot like the blasphemous movie “Oh God” when they held a campaign to create bumperstickers that said “Think God”.
UPDATE 19: (11:41 CST) Tell the truth, then expect it from others. Give your children extra time. His favorite line from the Declaration of Independence begins “With firm reliance upon Divine Providence…” Know what you believe. Question with boldness the very existence of God (from Thomas Jefferson). Realize you are one of God’s children. Know who He is, know who you are. He quotes George Washington called to help at the Constitutional Convention: “Have I Not Done Enough for My Country”? The answer is “no” we have not, we must get on our horses and ride to help. We must sacrifice for our children. He gives a great comparison between the parent who would be willing to die in the place of their sick child. He encourages people to tithe, giving ten percent (to their churches?) and trust God to provide. Finally, we must tell the truth.
UPDATE 18 (11:28 CST) What do the great men of our country have that we don’t have? Nothing! Look to God. Make your choice. “That which you gaze upon you shall become” How does that fit in with the Mormon doctrine that all can become God?
Beck continues: I am not a fearmonger anymore than the man in the Titanic were fearmongers who warned of the iceberg.
UPDATE 17 (11:21 am CST): Glenn expresses (what I hope would be hyperbole) when he suggests that the American documents are as alive as Scripture. Her reads extensively from the Gettysburg Address. ‘Do they have relevance today? What do we believe? We must advance or perish. I choose advance.” He again brings in George Whitefield.
UPDATE 16 (11:12 am CST) : Glenn Beck’s speech begins with the promise that today America’s heart will start beating again. “It has nothing to do with politics. It has everything to do with God.” On top of the the Washngton Monument are the words “Praise Be to God” in Latin. We cannot co-exist with evil, so he mentions the WWII memorial as well as the memorials to those served in the Vietnam and Korean Wars.
Overall, admittedly, so far, the rally has been (relatively) harmless, but it is hard to see what was accomplished. There can be no revival without the gospel. While Jesus was mentioned by several speakers, nothing offensive was mentioned. The Bible says that the cross will be offensive. The meaning of the cross is lacking in the rally.
UPDATE 15 (10:53) Another musical guest, Vanessa sings about walking together in Unity. A minister reads from Ephesians concerning the unity of the faith, and says that they are Jews and Gentiles, Blacks and Whites standing together in the name of Jesus.
UPDATE 14: (10:44). Beck gives a speech about Martin Luther King, and plays a video of part of his famous “I Have a Dream” speech and introduces Dr. Alveda King whose father and uncle were killed during the civil rights struggle for blacks. King introduces Angelica Tucker who sings “We Must Rebuild”.
UPDATE 13 (10:34) CORRECTED: And the Recipient of the Charity Award Is: Businessman John Huntsman. I’m shocked, shocked! Is this the person that was supposed whose presence was supposed to shock everybody? The day isn’t over yet.
According to the Latter Day Saints, the older Huntsman is listed as being one of the most 100 influential Mormons. He is a cancer survivor. He funds a cancer research institute that bears his name.
Wikipedia gives the following bio:
Jon Meade Huntsman, Sr. (born 1937) is an American businessman and philanthropist. He is the founder of Huntsman Corporation. He is the father of current United States Ambassador to China and former Governor of Utah Jon Huntsman Jr.
Emma Houston received the award for Huntsman, but spent the time honoring Huntsman, rather than speaking on his behalf. Huntsman’s goal is to die broke. No man is an island.
UPDATE 12: Glenn Beck talks about charity and reads from the tablet of the Statue of Liberty. All men are created Equal and are endowed by their Creator with unalienable rights: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. Introducing the “Charity” Merit Badge is Raul Gonzalez, retired Texas Supreme Court Justice.
UPDATE 11: Tony La Russa, manager of the St Louis Cardinals will present the “Hope” Badge of Merit. He is talking about real life heroes. Albert Pujols of the baseball Cardinals is the winner of this award. His commitment to family, faith and community are being honored. Pujols said “My job as a believer is to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.” He works with Downs Syndrome children and makes trips to the Domican Republic.
UPDATE 10 (10:12): Pastor Jackson praises Glenn Beck as a “bright young servant of God, Son God”. He is telling stories of three women in the Bible: The widow who offered a mite as an offering. The woman who offered the box of alabaser perfume. The woman who came begging for crumbs the Table of Jesus. Jackson is asking the crowd to offer gifts to GLENN BECK. Faith, but not a word about who Faith must be in. Not a single mention of the cross of Jesus Christ.
UPDATE 9 (10:09): First Recipient (Faith): Pastor C L Jackson, of Pleasant Grove Mission Baptist church of Houston, Texas. He was introduced by a Native American chief who emphasized the importance of a covenant in Jesus Christ.
UPDATE: 8 (10:01) Beck introduces the Badge of Merit (Purple Heart) as given by Washington found again in 1933. These will be given by Beck to award these Badges of Merit to three civilians. The first medal is Faith. 1775, British colonies declared war against the largest army in the world. He mentions the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center destroyed on 9/11 and Martin Luther King. Can we find solutions, can we find faith?
UPDATE: 7 (9:41 CST) Palin honors and introduces American Hero Navy Cross recipient Marcus Luttrelle who risked his life for his fellow soldiers. The second recipient of special honors at the rally today was James Eddie Wright who was badly injured but was able to save his fellow soldiers and received the Bronze Star. Third honored was Retired Air Force Colonel Tom Kirk, like John McCain, spent time in the Hanoi Hilton as a prisoner of War.
UPDATE 6 (9:35): Sarah Palin is introduced as a mother of a soldier. She is talking about those who defend us and who are not to be ashamed of. Bunker Hill, Gettysburg, and a thousand other battlefields are where they shed their blood.
UPDATE 5 (9:33): Glenn is asking us to make a $10 donation by texting to SOWF85944.
UPDATE 4 (9:24): Glenn introduces Special Operations Warrior Foundation. This group supports the children of Special OPS soldiers killed in action by paying for thier college educations. A mother offers a moving account of her son Derek’s service and how the organization has helped her grandson after Derek was killed in action. To serve is not a right, it is a priviledge. SOWF85944.
UPDATE 3 (9:10): Prayer to the King of Kings, The Righteous One. The prayer mentions the Lord Jesus and the gospel, The Black Regiment, liberty, and The Declaration of Independence. God has called us to repentance for our treatment of the Indians. But God is healing us. We come in repentance for shedding innocent blood and for not modeling marriage. Prayer in Christ’s name. AMEN (Good for Him!)
UPDATE 2 (9:06) Glenn Beck presents a video explaining the significance of the monuments on the mall: Washington, Jefferson, and Lincoln. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by a Boy Scout, and the national anthem was sung by a capella. Beck is now speaking: God’s chosen people (The Israelites) were led out of Egypt, God’s chosen people are also the Native Americans, and the Pilgrims.
UPDATE 1 (8:59 AM CST): Beautiful music with a series of pictures representing American history, culture and patriotism was beiong shown before the rally (Arch of St Louis, Mardi Gras, Old Mountain of the Mountain, etc.)
The crowd is rowdy with occasional chants of “USA, USA” or “Glenn, Glenn”
A crowd of possibly 300,000 is expected at the Mall on Washington, DC for Glenn Beck’s Restoring Honor rally in front of the Lincoln Memorial. We plan to cover it “live” from his Facebook streaming audio.
Lots of surprise guests will be showing up for this blend of religion and patriotism. Last night at the Divine Destiny rally at the Kennedy Center, evangelicals Twila Paris, Dave Roever, and Chuck Norris all made appearances.
Today’s rally will feature veterans who will be introduced by Sarah Palin, Alveda King (niece of Martin Luther King and pro-life advocate), and David Barton.