The Glenn Beck Program – Best of the Program | Guest: Jeremiah Johnston | January 31, 2025

Host: Blaze Podcast Network's Glenn Beck
Guest: Jeremiah Johnston, Christian Thinker and Apologetics Pastor
Release Date: January 31, 2025

Overview

In this compelling episode of The Glenn Beck Program, host Glenn Beck delves deep into the current political landscape, focusing on recent confirmation hearings involving prominent figures like Tulsi Gabbard and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The program also features an enlightening discussion with Jeremiah Johnston, a leading voice on the Shroud of Turin, exploring its historical and scientific significance. Beck's sharp analysis and candid opinions offer listeners a nuanced perspective on American politics, culture, and intriguing historical mysteries.

Highlight: Critique of Confirmation Hearings

Glenn Beck opens the episode by addressing the contentious confirmation hearings that took place recently. He navigates through the testimonies and interactions involving Tulsi Gabbard and RFK Jr., highlighting what he perceives as political maneuvering and the suppression of honest discourse.

• Tulsi Gabbard's Testimony:

  Tulsi Gabbard passionately defends her loyalty to America, rejecting accusations of being a puppet to various international figures.
  "The American people elected President Trump with a decisive victory and mandate for change... what truly unsettles my political opponents is I refuse to be their puppet."
  (Timestamp: 02:50)

  Beck emphasizes Gabbard's stance against the politicization of intelligence agencies and her criticism of past administrations for undermining national security and constitutional freedoms.

• Exchange with Michael Bennett and RFK Jr.:

  The program highlights the tense exchange between Tulsi Gabbard, Senator Michael Bennett, and RFK Jr. concerning Edward Snowden's actions. Beck portrays the senators' approach as confrontational and dismissive of valid concerns regarding government overreach.

  • Jeremiah Johnston Interjects:

    "There's no point of any of these hearings at this point. There's no point."
    (Timestamp: 07:38)

  • RFK Jr.'s Rebuttal:

    RFK Jr. challenges the narrative, questioning the senators' integrity and effectiveness in their oversight roles.
    "They failed. And you dare question me? Maybe you should do your job."
    (Timestamp: 09:47)

Beck critiques the senators for what he sees as hypocrisy and incompetence, arguing that their actions have led to corruption and a breakdown of trust in governmental institutions.

Guest Segment: Jeremiah Johnston on the Shroud of Turin

The latter part of the episode features a deep dive into the Shroud of Turin with guest Jeremiah Johnston. This segment blends historical analysis with scientific inquiry, presenting the Shroud as a potential "historical selfie" of Jesus Christ.

• Scientific Evidence Supporting the Shroud's Authenticity:

  Johnston discusses the extensive research conducted over decades, emphasizing the recent advancements that bolster the case for the Shroud's authenticity.

  "63 different academic disciplines have spent 500,000 scientific hours studying what this image is in the Shroud of Turin. And all of these researchers are saying this is the burial shroud of Jesus of Nazareth."
  (Timestamp: 16:27)

  He highlights the inaccuracies of previous carbon dating methods and introduces new techniques like wide-angle X-ray scattering, which more accurately date the linen fibers to 2,000 years old, aligning with the historical timeline of Jesus.

• Corroborative Pollen Analysis:

  Johnston explains Max Frei's pollen analysis, which traced the Shroud's journey and confirmed its presence in Jerusalem around the time of Jesus's crucifixion.

  "45 of the 58 pollen spores are from Jerusalem... When was Jesus crucified? April."
  (Timestamp: 19:20)

• Physical Evidence Mirroring Biblical Accounts:

  The discussion extends to physical marks on the Shroud, such as abrasions and soil residues, which Johnston correlates with biblical descriptions of Jesus's crucifixion.

  "There is travertine limestone soil that is on the knees and on the feet of the Crucified man. This isn't a medieval forgery."
  (Timestamp: 20:50)

• Implications for Faith and Reason:

  The conversation bridges faith and scientific inquiry, suggesting that the Shroud could be a tangible link between historical events and religious belief.

  "We see the coming together of Athens and Jerusalem. Faith and reason."
  (Timestamp: 21:31)

Critical Analysis of Political Figures and Policies

Returning to the political discourse, Beck scrutinizes the actions and motivations of various political figures, including Pete Hegseth, Cash Patel, and Doug Burgum. He argues that these individuals are targets because they seek to uncover and rectify systemic corruption within defense and intelligence sectors.

• Targets of Confirmation Hearings:

  Beck outlines the roles of Pete Hegseth in the Department of Defense and Cash Patel in the FBI, portraying them as reformers aiming to eliminate corruption and enforce accountability.

  "They are all under attack because they're looking to find out what's really going on."
  (Timestamp: 28:32)

• Critique of Democratic Narratives:

  He challenges the Democrats' portrayal of global warming as the "existential threat," juxtaposing it with what he views as more pressing issues like governmental corruption and manipulation.

  "The biggest threat seems to be the people who are looking into corruption."
  (Timestamp: 28:34)

• Allegations of Hypocrisy and Cover-ups:

  Beck accuses Democratic senators of weaponizing government institutions and obstructing justice, particularly in cases like the Edward Snowden revelations and the handling of Hunter Biden's laptop.

  "These hearings are not advised and consent as the Constitution requires. They are smeared, destroy, and delay."
  (Timestamp: 28:54)

He emphasizes a perceived disconnect between public concerns and the actions of elected officials, advocating for transparency and accountability.

Conclusion

Glenn Beck's episode offers a rigorous examination of both contemporary political issues and historical mysteries, intertwined with personal insights and robust debates. By featuring Jeremiah Johnston, the program not only critiques the current political climate but also enriches the discourse with profound discussions on faith and history. Listeners are left with a heightened awareness of the complexities within American governance and the enduring mysteries that continue to captivate human curiosity.

Notable Quotes:

• "The American people elected President Trump with a decisive victory and mandate for change... what truly unsettles my political opponents is I refuse to be their puppet."
  — Tulsi Gabbard
  (02:50)

• "There is travertine limestone soil that is on the knees and on the feet of the Crucified man. This isn't a medieval forgery."
  — Jeremiah Johnston
  (20:50)

• "These hearings are not advised and consent as the Constitution requires. They are smeared, destroy, and delay."
  — Glenn Beck
  (28:54)

This episode of The Glenn Beck Program serves as a critical resource for those seeking an in-depth understanding of the intersection between politics, history, and faith, presenting arguments that challenge mainstream narratives and encourage independent thought.