Christian author: Glenn Beck actually New Age 'anti-Christ'

A Christian author and national speaker has just released a video in which he flays radio and TV commentator Glenn Beck as a pagan, New Age "anti-Christ" who is deluding many believers away from the Bible's teachings and leading them toward Eastern mysticism.

Brannon Howse of Worldview Weekend in Collierville, Tenn., who was once a defender of Beck, is now blasting the popular Fox News host based on content of Beck's new book, "Seven Wonders That Will Change Your Life," co-authored by psychiatrist Dr. Keith Ablow.

"Back in August of 2010, I tried warning folks that Glenn Beck was a pagan, New Age, universalistic Mormon, and indeed, he now has revealed his hand," Howse says in the video, which is based on a column he wrote earlier this year. "Beck's book is nothing less than a promotion of universalism, postmodernism and pagan spirituality, also known as the New Age movement."

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He continued: "I hate to say it, but through testing Glenn's doctrinal fruit, he is not a Christian. In fact indeed, he is a false teacher. He is proclaiming another Jesus and another gospel. ... Nowhere in Beck's new book does he mention the biblical Gospel. In fact, what he mentions is anti-Christ. He's denying the exclusivity of Jesus Christ. What Glenn is promoting is the same lie promoted by Satan in Genesis 3, verses 1–5. And I'm fearful that the spiritual poison Beck is promoting is not seven wonders that will change your life, but in fact lies that will condemn the souls of millions for eternity."

Click on the image to watch Brannon Howse's video in a new window.

He says Beck is a very committed and knowledgeable Mormon, which is the common term for a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Beck himself writes in his book, "I questioned everything I could think to question about the faith. I went over my doubts again and again with the church bishop. I read everything there was to read on their website and every word of Mormon Doctrine ... I went to anti-Mormon literature for hints, but I found most of it to be unfair or just plain wrong. I tried every trick I could think of to find a contradiction. The problem was that I couldn't. Mormonism seemed to explain the world and my place in it better than any other faith I had looked at." (page 149-150)

In his new video, Howse, who has authored nine books, most of which deal with a Christian worldview, methodically goes through a series of pages from Beck's book, quoting the media giant on points he thinks don't agree with the Bible.

According to Howse, "Beck does not believe in hell, original sin or that Jesus is the only way [to salvation]:

Latter-day Saints do not believe that your chances ever cease, even with death. They end only with the full understanding and denial of truth by your own exercise of real free will. And even then there is no 'lake of fire.' (page 149)

As Keith likes to say, 'There's no original sin left in the world. Everyone's just recycling pain now.' (page 154)

There is no infant delivered evil, out of the womb. There never has been. Not even one ... Charles Manson was not born evil. Ted Bundy wasn't. The BTK killer wasn't. Hitler wasn't. (page 162)

Howse continued: "The Bible says that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23) The Bible says that even babies are born with a sin nature and that we are all conceived in sin. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. (Psalm 51:5) ...

"Beck's book promotes the New Age idea that you need to tap into a positive energy for a successful and happy life: (10 times). Some examples include:

You have a polestar inside you. It is connected with all the energy in the universe. When you begin to follow that star you align yourself with immeasurable, inexplicable forces that will actually help you manifest your best intentions. (page 79)

The current energy that flows in your favor when you stop denying what you have lived through and how it has shaped you and how you must change is the immeasurable force that you can tap into to dramatically improve your existence. (page 113)

... you will elicit the same positive energy from others. When you stop pretending to be just fine and start admitting that you have struggled, just as we all have, then spiritual energy will fill you. (page 117)

Beck did not comment on Howse's report, and Jessica Moody, a spokeswoman for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints told WND, "Glenn Beck is a public figure who does not speak for the Church and we are unfamiliar with his latest book. Because of this, it would be difficult for us to respond to this issue."

She said those wishing to get familiar with the core beliefs of Latter-day Saints can see them online.

Glenn Beck locks arms with religious leaders of numerous faiths for a show of unity at his Restoring Honor rally Aug. 28, 2010, in Washington, D.C.

It's ironic that Howse is verbally thrashing Beck now, since he explains, "As I have written before, I have been a supporter of Glenn Beck for a long time and I started KeepGlennBeck.com to support Glenn when the radicals wanted his advertisers to stop advertising in his program, because at the time he was not promoting spirituality but simply providing excellent information about what was happening in the arena of civil government and law. However, Glenn has moved into an area where we must draw a clear line theologically, doctrinally, and spiritually and despite what Mr. Beck thinks, that does not make us bigots ... ."

There are some Christian pastors who during the past year have been staunch defenders of Beck and his beliefs.

Evangelical megachurch pastor Jim Garlow of the Skyline Wesleyan Church in La Mesa, Calif., told the Christian Post, "I have listened and watched very carefully regarding clues to Glenn's spiritual condition. ... I have interviewed several people who have been with him and have talked very specifically with him regarding his own personal salvation."

Garlow noted that Beck has said "unequivocally" that he relies on the atonement of Jesus on the cross for forgiveness for his sins.

"[A]nd those are almost the exact words," Garlow said. "Few people use the term atonement. Glenn did."

Garlow also credited Beck for laying out "the clearest explanation of the crucifixion and the resurrection that I have ever heard on national TV."

"I have interviewed persons who have talked specifically with Glenn about his personal salvation – persons extremely well known in Christianity – and they have affirmed (using language evangelicals understand), 'Glenn is saved,'" Garlow added. "He understands receiving Christ as Savior."

Texas-based evangelist James Robison also has high praise for Beck's beliefs, and has appeared on Beck's radio show to share his thoughts: "Glenn, you are one of the clearest voices on this planet for truth, and I want you to know as an evangelical Christian and church leader with one of the most watched television programs live today on the planet, you are a voice crying in the wilderness. I thank God for you."